Legal requirements for Radiography

Question 1

What is the name of the regulations governing the use of ionising radiation?

Answer 1

Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999 (IRR99)

Question 2

What is the comprehensive guidance on IRR99 what covers the use of ionising radiation in the workplace?

Answer 2

Working with ionising radiation

Question 3

What is the name of the veterinary specific guidance published by the BVA on the use of ionising radiation?

Answer 3

Guidance notes for the safe use of ionising radiations - IRR 1999

Question 4

When did the BVA first publish the guidance notes for the safe use of ionising radiations?

Answer 4

2002

Question 5

When was the updated version of the BVAs guidance notes of the safe use of ionising radiations published?

Answer 5

2015

Question 6

What does NRPB stand for?

Answer 6

National Radiological Protection Board

Question 7

What did the NRPB become in 2005?

Answer 7

the radiation protection division of the health protection agency

Question 8

What does RPA stand for?

Answer 8

Radiation protection advisor

Question 9

What is a radiation protection advisor?

Answer 9

A suitably trained individual employed by the HPA to advise individual practices on their use of ionising radiation

Question 10

What does RPS stand for?

Answer 10

Radiation protection supervisor

Question 11

What is a radiation protection supervisor?

Answer 11

An MRCVS/RVN in an individual practice appointed by the RPA to ensure the rules and regulations set out by the RPA are being followed by everyone in that practice

Question 12

What does the RPA do?

Answer 12

Sets ou the intervals of inspections
takes measurements from and surrounding the X-ray machine to ensure it is working safely
Writes and reviews the local rules and carries out a risk assessment at each visit
May train the RPS or recommend appropriate CPD for them

Question 13

Who can take part in radiography?

Answer 13

RPA
RPS
any staff named on the local rules

Question 14

How can radiation exposure risks be reduced?

Answer 14

Staff rotation 
personal monitoring devices 
authorised personnel only 
PPE
stand at least 2m from the primary beam, ideally behind a protective screen

Question 15

How far away should personnel be from the primary x-ray beam?

Answer 15

at least 2m

Question 16

Where must radiation monitoring devices be worn?

Answer 16

on the trunk under PPE

Question 17

Where must radiation monitoring devices be stored?

Answer 17

Out of the Xray room away from heat or direct sunlight

Question 18

What colour are TLDs usually?

Answer 18

Orange - but can be any colour

Question 19

What does TLD stand for?

Answer 19

thermoluminescent dosemeter

Question 20

What does a TLD contain?

Answer 20

Lithium Flouride

Question 21

How often are TLD dosemeters sent off for calculation?

Answer 21

1-3 months

Question 22

What does a film dosemeter contain?

Answer 22

pieces of X-ray film

Question 23

How often is the film dosemeter sent off to be calculated?

Answer 23

1-3 months

Question 24

Where are dosemeters usually sent to to be calculated?

Answer 24

HPA or similar

Question 25

What is the unit of measurement used to assess an individuals exposure to ionising radiation?

Answer 25

millisievert mSv

Question 26

What is the maximum authorised dose of radiation for personnel 18 years and over?

Answer 26

20 mSv

Question 27

What is the maximum authorised dose of radiation for personnel aged under 18?

Answer 27

6 mSv

Question 28

What is the maximum authorised dose of radiation for pregnant and breastfeeding women?

Answer 28

1 mSv

Question 29

Where will the individual practices investigation doses be stated?

Answer 29

in the local rules

Question 30

How thick must lead gloves and sleeves be?

Answer 30

at least 0.35mm LE

Question 31

What does LE stand for?

Answer 31

Lead equivalent

Question 32

How thick must a lead apron be?

Answer 32

at least 0.25mm LE

Question 33

How often should lead PPE be inspected for cracks?

Answer 33

at least every 6 months