IRR17 Audit Flashcards
What does IRR17 Stand for?
The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017
What is IRR17 mainly concerned with? (Who is it aimed at protecting?)
Protection of PUBLIC and STAFF.
Main aim is to ensure exposure to ionising radiation arising from work activities is kept below the legal dose limits and ALARP
Can you name a few of the main requirements of IRR17? i.e. the main duty holders?
MUST MENTION:
- Appointment of radiation protection supervisor (RPS) and provision of LOCAL RULES
- Appointment for radiation protection adviser (RPA) and REQUIREMENT to consult RPA
AND MENTION AT LEAST A FEW OF THE FOLLOWING:
- Risk assessment
- Prior risk assessment for new work activities
- ALARP principle and restriction of exposure
- Dose limitation
- Designation of controlled and supervised areas
- Working Instructions
-Personal dosimetry
For an IRR17 Audit in breast imaging, what are the main areas you would check/review?
- Check regulations currently in place
- Check risk assessment and if there are any major changes
- Check control measures are in place and maintained
- Check for any changes to LR
- Are PPE arrangements adequate
- Review of environmental and personal dosimetry
How is Radiation protection managed within NHST - What systems are in place to ensure the employer complies with IRR17
RP imaging group which RPSs attend along with radiation physics with IRR17 and Audit as STANDING AGENDA ITEMS
Radiation Safety Council (RSC) - Meet twice per year, chaired by representative of the board, associate medical director of patient assurance and access division
Generally Speaking, under what circumstances us an area designated as a controlled area?
Reg17: When it is necessary to follow SPECIAL PROCEDURES to restrict exposure or to prevent or limit probability and magnitude of radiation accidents or their effects
or; a person working is LIKELY to receive an ESTIMATED DOSE > 6 mSv/annum
or
EYE EQUIVALENT DOSE > 15 mSv
or
> 150 mSv to SKIN or EXTREMITY
or; If the instantaneous dose rate (IDR) over the working day > 7.5 uSv/hr
or; There is a risk of spreading significant radiation contamination OUTSIDE the working area
When is it necessary to designate a controlled area due to radionuclides in a human body?
For radionuclides emitting gamma rays > 150 MBq or;
Patient undergoing brachytherapy with gamma or high energy beta sources
When is it necessary to designate a supervised area?
Person is likely to receive an estimated dose > 1 mSv/year, equivalent dose to eye > 5 mSv or equivalent dose to skin > 50 mSv/year
Keep under review with view to controlling area
Under IRR17 who are we LEGALLY REQUIRED to monitor?
Classified workers
Why do we monitor unclassified workers in NHS?
Compliance monitoring - Demonstrates no need to classify but also exposures are ALARP
What are the Occupational Dose Limits for Classified Workers in the UK?
Effective Dose: 20 mSv/year
Equivalent Dose - Lens of Eye : 20 mSv/year
Equivalent Dose - Skin : 500 mSv/year
What are the Occupational Dose Limits for Non-Classified Workers & Trainees (<18y) in the UK?
Effective Dose: 6 mSv/year
Equivalent Dose - Lens of Eye : 15 mSv/year
Equivalent Dose - Skin : 150 mSv/year
What are the Occupational Dose Limits for the Public in the UK?
Effective Dose: 1 mSv/year
Equivalent Dose - Lens of Eye : 15 mSv/year
Equivalent Dose - Skin : 50 mSv/year
What investigation levels are in NHST for non-classified workers?
Whole Body:
- Monthly = 0.5 mSv/month
- Annual = 2 mSv
- Over 3 consecutive months: 0.2 mSv per period
Extremity:
10 mSv/month
100 mSv/year
Eye:
1 mSv/month
< 10 mSv/year
Where can whole body investigation levels in NHST be found?
In the LR for the controlled area
