Radiation Incidents

Question 1

What regulations define the need for contingency plans?

Answer 1

IRR17: for reasonably foreseeable incidents

EPR2016 (RSA93/HASS): security/environmental contamination

REPPIR2001: operator & LA off-site emergency plans

CDG2009: consignor contingency plans for transport incidents

NHS requirement under:
National arrangements for health Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR)

Question 2

What are the effects of an emplaced radiation device?

Answer 2

Deaths: Few

Short term: Acute rad syndrome

Long term: inc risk of developing cancer

Question 3

What are the effects of a Radioactive dispersal *device?

Answer 3

Deaths: Few/moderate

Short term: Blast injury

Long term: inc cancer risk

Question 4

What are the effects of a Low yield nuclear *device?

Answer 4

Deaths: Many

Short term: Blast injury, thermal burns, acute rad syndrome

Long term: inc risk cancer

Question 5

What is external exposure?

Answer 5

whole or partial-body exposure

Question 6

What are the two main types of exposure?

Answer 6

External: on the skin
Internal: Swallowed, abs through wounds

Question 7

How can you limit contamination ?

Answer 7

Prevent intakes of material: inhaltion/ingestion/skin absorption/wounds

Limit spread:
Protect wounds
Do not disrobe
Protect cuts and abrasions

Question 8

What was the goiana incident?

Answer 8

Theft and dispersal of a teletherapy source.

Question 9

What is RADSAFE?

Answer 9

A private company limited by gurantee that offers mutual assistance in the events of a transport accident involving RAM belonging to a radsafe member.

Question 10

What are the principles of radsafe ?

Answer 10

• To provide a prompt response to an incident
• The provision of Suitably Qualified and Experienced Persons
• To provide appropriate training (to all Responders)

All vehicles or containers used for transporting radioactive material under this scheme must have a RADSAFE placard

Question 11

3 Main methods of reducing a radiation risks

Answer 11

TIME (minimum)
DISTANCE (maximum)
SHIELDING (maximum)

Question 12

How to respond to an incident?

Answer 12

If there are life threatening injuries send casualties to hospital without delay

If source damage suspected - Keep appliances and crews upwind

Cordon off area (45m in first instance recommended by RADSAFE)

Consider doserate

Extinguish fires

Refer to vehicle placard/ documentation for advice number

No eating, drinking, smoking if radiation release has or is suspected to have occurred