Legislation

Question 1

Health and Safety at Work Act (1974)

What does this legislation cover?

Answer 1

Covers the duties for both employer and employee.

Question 2

Health and Safety at Work Act (1974)

What are the 3 main objectives?

Answer 2

Secure: health and safety at work.

Protect: other persons against risks to health and safety.

Control: the keeping/use of explosive or highly flammable or other dangerous substances, preventing unlawful acquisition, possession and use of such substances.

Question 3

Health and Safety at Work Act (1974)

What must employers do under this act? (5 points)

Answer 3

Consider who can harm you in your job and take steps to stop it.
Explain risks and how these are controlled, including responsibilities.
Protecting you from harm in the workplace.
Provide training.
Provide PPE.

Question 4

Health and Safety at Work Act (1974)

What must employees do under this act? (6 points)

Answer 4

Take reasonable care of the health and safety of ourselves and others that may be affected by what they do or do not do.
Cooperate with the employer on health and safety.
Obey local rules on health and safety.
Wear PPE.
Handle, store, and transport substances in a safe manner.
Adequately maintain equipment where appropriate to manufactures specification and legislation.

Question 5

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)

What is involved in this legislation? (6 points)

Answer 5

Steps to prevent or reduce exposure.
Identifies hazards.
How to prevent harm to health through assessments.
Control measures.
Provide information, instruction and training for employees/others.
Plan for emergencies.

Question 6

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)

What is the purpose of this legislation?

Answer 6

Controls the exposure of employees to hazardous substances.

Question 7

Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 (IRR17)

What is covered in this legislation? (4 points)

Answer 7

Updates and clarifies the legilsation has not been re-written.
Covers all use of radiation and radioactive materials including veterinary radiology.
Identifies hazards, risks, and reduces exposure to employees and others.
Leads to the production of local rules.

Question 8

Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 (IRR17)

Who must practices inform when working with ionising radiations?

Answer 8

Practices must comply to the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) before carrying out radiography.

Question 9

Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 (IRR17)

What are the 3 grades relating to risk of radiation?

Answer 9

1. Notify - Lowest Risk
2. Register - Medium Risk
3. Consent - Highest Risk

Question 10

Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 (IRR17)

What is involved in the lowest risk?

Answer 10

1. Notify - Lowest Risk:

No cost involved.
Does not have an expiry date.
Notification is needed for each practice.

Question 11

Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 (IRR17)

What is involved in the medium risk?

Answer 11

2. Register - Medium Risk:

To register radiation practice with the HSE.
Initial cost.
Must be reviewed every 5 years.

Question 12

Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 (IRR17)

What is involved in the highest risk?

Answer 12

3. Consent - Highest Risk

Consent requires licensing or approval.
Requires additional information.
Renewal fee.
If a veterinary practice has multiple branches at different locations, a consent application is required for each site.

Question 13

Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 (IRR17)

What is a millisieverts?

Answer 13

A unit used to measure the amount of radiation absorbed by a persons body. (Radiation dose)

Question 14

Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 (IRR17)

What are the exceptions when it comes to handling an animal during radiography?

Answer 14

Severely ill/injured animal.
Congestive heart failure.
Ruptured diaphragm.
Severe traumatic injury.

Aka, an animal that cannot be placed under anaesthesia or sedation.

Question 15

What is an RPA - Radiation Protection Advisor?

Answer 15

A personnel that must hold a Diploma in Veterinary Radiology and a certificate of competence from an awarding body.

Question 16

What are the responsibilities of an RPA?

Answer 16

Advise on radiation protection.
Demarcation of the controlled area.
Draw up local rules and written systems of work.

Question 17

What is an RPS - Radiation Protective Supervisor?

Answer 17

Member of the veterinary team, appointed by the practice.
Routinely a practice principle, senior partner or head/senior veterinary nurse.

Question 18

What are the responsibilities of an RPS?

Answer 18

To ensure that radiography is carried out in accordance with the regulation and that local rules are being followed.

Question 19

What are Local Rules and Written Systems of Work?

Answer 19

Local rules drawn up by the RPA.
Everyone should be given a copy of the Local Rules and sign to agree with them.
Contains a list of everyone able to carry out exposures.
Contains information on equipment, procedures and restriction of access to controlled areas.

Written arrangements are part of the local rules and contains a list of actions to be followed.

SHOULD BE DISPLAYED WITHIN THE X-RAY ROOM.

Question 20

Which colleagues are involved in radiology? (5 points)

Answer 20

Colleagues under the age of 16 should not be present due to having lower dose levels.

Pregnant people advised not to be involved.

Owners should not participate in radiology.

Minimum personnel should be present.

Only the person taking the exposure should be present if the animal is artificially restrained.

Question 21

Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 (IRR17)

What is covered in the ‘Guidance notes for the safe use of ionising radiation in veterinary practice’

Answer 21

Equipment
Personnel
Procedures
Minimising radiation dose