Managing staff radiation protection

Question 1

When is classification of individuals required?

Answer 1

• Workers who are likely to exceed 6 mSv whole body dose, 15 mSv to the lens of the eye or 150 mSv skin or extremity dose.
• Workers working with a source of ionising radiation capable of exposing a person to a dose rate such that a relevant dose limit would be exceeded within a few minutes (e.g. HDR brachytherapy units).

Question 2

How is it decided to classify an individual?

Answer 2

• A prior risk assessment shows that classification is required.
• Dose monitoring demonstrates that classification is required.

Question 3

List some the roles of some common classified staff in the medical sector.

Answer 3

• Interventional radiologist (eye and finger dose).
• Cardiologist (eye dose).
• PET CT staff (high doses from PET CT patients).
• NM staff (potential for needlestick incidents).
• HDR staff (potential for high dose following a source stick).

Question 4

What are the requirements prior to classifying an individual?

Answer 4

• Employee is older than 18 years old.
• Has been certified as fit to undertake there work with ionising radiation by an appointed doctor (appointed by HSE and has had specific IRR training). Annual health checks are required thereafter.
• Has been informed they are to be classified.
• Dose assessments and record keeping by an approved dosimetry service.
• Appropriate training given.
• Radiation passbook provided where work with more than one employer is undertaken.

Question 5

What needs to be considered in terms of dose arrangements for classified worker?

Answer 5

• Arranged from an approved dosimetry service (ADS).
• Records kept for at least 2 years.
• Annual dose returns made to the Central Index of Dose Information (CIDI) from ADS.
• Formal investigation if dose estimate is missing or unexpected.
• Notional dose (i.e. pro-rata of dose limit for relevant dose period) entered if estimated dose not available.

Question 6

What is a classified outside worker? What are the requirements for classified outside workers?

Answer 6

• Classified person who enters the controlled area of another employer.
• Exchange of information between employers.
• Radiation passbook and dosimetry from ADS shared.
• Estimated doses must be entered in to radiation passbook.

Question 7

What options are available for contractors (e.g. equipment engineers) working within a controlled area of a different employer?

Answer 7

• Treat as an outside worker (i.e. must work under existing local rules which may require additional training, PPE provision etc.).
• Handover (i.e. controlled area is handed over and the contractor works under their own local rules which requires a handover form and signage changes). This is more common.

Question 8

What is required of employers whose employees work with radiation with more than one employer?

Answer 8

Cooperation between employers including information on the exposure of their employees to ionising radiation.