Module 6 Flashcards
Risk Assessment Step 1
Identify the hazards (i.e. routine and accidental exposure to X-rays).
Risk Assessment Step 2
Decide who might be harmed and how they might be affected.
Risk Assessment Step 3
Evaluate the risks and decide whether existing precautions are adequate or whether
more precautions need to be taken, Implement additional precautions, if needed
Risk Assessment Step 4
Record the findings of the risk assessment.
Risk Assessment Step 5
Review the risk assessment and revise it, if necessary
Restriction of exposure
There is an over-riding requirement to restrict radiation doses to staff and other
persons to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP)
Maintenance and examination of engineering controls
Applies particularly to safety and warning features of dental X-ray equipment.
Contingency plans
These should arise out of the risk assessment and must be provided within the Local Rules
Radiation Protection Adviser
Must be certified by HSE approved body
Employer must consult on implementation of controlled areas
Radiation Protection Supervisor
Designated Person within the dental practice
Legal Person
Ensures compliance with the legislation
Usually the dentist
Ensures that Local Rules are available at every x-ray machine in the dental practice
Local Rules
All practices should have a written set of Local Rules relating to radiation protection
measures in the practice and this applies to all employees
Maximum Does limit for non classified staff
6mSv
IR(ME)R 2018 Requirements
- Ensures the safety of patients
- Replaced the Ionising Radiation Regulations 2000
- Clarifies the positions of responsibility
- The employer
- The referrer
- The practitioner
- The operator
IRMER Referrer
Registered Healthcare professional who is entitled in accordance with the with the
employer’s procedures to refer individuals for medical exposure to an IRMER
Practitioner
IRMER Practitioner
THEIR MAIN ROLE IS TO JUSTIFY THE MEDICAL EXPOSURE
BENEFITS vs RISKS
IRMER Operator
Any person who is entitled, in accordance with employer’s procedures, to carry out
practical aspects of the exposure
• Must be adequately trained
• Functions and responsibilities of individual operators must be clearly defined in
employer’s procedures
Duties of Employer
Written procedures MUST be in place and adhered to by all IRMER Practitioners and
Operators
IRMER Practitioner and IRMER Operator
- Practitioner and operator to ensure all doses are kept ALARP
- Both are legally obliged to make sure that the above happens
Employees
- Must not recklessly interfere with the x-ray machine or associated equipment
- Must not expose themselves unnecessarily
- Must report immediately to the RPS/Employer if an incident or accident occurs
Notification of Accidents
• All accidents must be reported to an external source if the dose is greater than
intended
• If the machine is at fault it must be reported immediately to the HSE and the
machine must be switched off immediately and not used
• If it is an operator problem then the CQC must be informed
Quality Assurance Grading Score 1
Excellent Quality, no errors
Minimum of 70% of all exposures
Quality Assurance Grading Score 2
Diagnostically acceptable
Quality Assurance Grading Score 3
Unacceptable Maximum 10% of all exposures
