Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 Flashcards
ICRP 103
- international framework
Justification
-radiation should only be used where benefits outweighs the risks
Optimisation
-radiation exposure should be kept as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA)
-taking into account economic and societal factors
Limitation
-levels of radiation dose must not be exceeded under normal circumstances
Health and safety at work act 1974
Duty on employers
Employers must:
-Provide a safe workplace: employers are responsible for implementing measures to keep the workplace safe
-Provide training and information: Employers are responsible for providing employees with information, instruction, training and supervision.
Health and safety at work act 1974
Duties on Employees
Employees must…
-Take care of themselves: Employees are responsible for their own health and safety and for not putting others at risk. This includes:
*following health and safety guidelines and training
*using equipment correctly and safely
*avoiding dangerous situations
*being aware of how their actions affect others
-report any hazards or risks to their employer
-cooperating with their employer on health and safety
-informing their employer of any injuries, illnesses that affect their ability to work
Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017
(IRR 2017)
Health and safety executive
For public and staff
IRR 2017
Notification, registration, consent
-graded approach to regulation
-performed once per employer
-regulations 5,6,7
Notification: low risk
Registration: medium risk x ray sources need to meet conditions
Consent: high risk nuclear medicine and radiotherapy need to provide more detail
RADIATION RISK ASSSESSMENTS
Radiation risk assessments should be performed prior to new work
-identification of hazards
-sources of contamination
-estimation of doses
-engineering control features
-planned systems of work
-accident situations
-methods of risk reduction
5 steps in Risk Assessment
1) identify the hazard
2)decide who might be harmed and how
3) evaluate the risk and decide the precautions
4)record your findings and implement them
5)review and update if necessary
Hierarchy of control
Elimination
Substitution
Engineering controls
Administrative controls
Personal protective clothing and equipment
Area designations
Controlled area
Supervised area
Controlled area
Area where special procedures have to be followed or dose is likely to exceed 6-7.5 mSv
Supervised area
Dose likely to be greater than 1mSv
OR
Kept under review to ensure it doesn’t become controlled
Designated area signs
Warning
Prohibition
Warning - radiation controlled area risk from external radiation
Prohibition- no access for unauthorised persons
Radiation controlled areas will have
LIGHTS AND SIGNS
Local rules
work instructions on how to work safely with radiation
They Include:
-description of designated area
-name of radiation protection supervisor
-work instructions for entry into the controlled area
-contingency arrangements
-dose investigation level
Outside workers
-any individual entering a controlled area to work with radiation on behalf on another employer
-employer must ensure that the outside worker is aware of the risks involved in work
-should be issues a radiation passbook
-estimation of their dose received
Contingency plan
Plan for a radiation accident with significant risk
E.e patient in a cardiac arrest during a fluoroscopy procedure
Personal dosimetry
To ensure dose limits aren’t exceeeded
Protects individual and employer
Included into systems of work for controlled areas
Failure to comply with dosimetry requirements breaches access restrictions
What are dose investigation levels
Ensure that no one is exceeding a dose limit
Investigation is initiated by RPS
-look at possible causes
-discussion with Radiation protection advisor (RPA)
-conclusion and actions
Pregnant staff
Must inform employer in writing
Dose limit of 1mSv for foetus
May requires review of local risk assessment and adjustment of working practices
Who are classified staff?
-staff that will be exposed to above 3/10ths of dose limit
-must be over 18
-must be certified fit to work before classified
-monitored by an Approved Dosimetry Service
-records kept by the ADS until individual is 75 or at least 30 years has passed
Employee duties IRR 2017
Not knowingly overexpose themselves or others
Report incidents
Make full use ppe
Report if ppe is damaged
Care for and return ppe
Wear and return personal dosimeters
If they become pregnant inform their employer in writing to ensure a pregnant worker risk assessment is performed
IRR 2017
Employers” duties
-adequate resources provided for compliance
-legal requirements for employers to coooperate when working with ionising radiation from one employer is likely to give rise to the exposure of staff of another employer
-area handover : practicable to transfer responsibility of a controlled area to another employer
What is a RPA
RADIATION PROTECTION ADVISOR
-provide advice on compliance with legislation
-checks of engineering controls
-plan installations
-calibration of equipment
Who is RPS
RADIATION PROTECTION SURPERVISORS
-ensure local rules are followed and adhered to
-govern the Controlled Area
