Radiation Safety Legislation Flashcards
Why do we need regulations
There are risks associated with exposure to X-rays
The regulations are designed to safeguard the health of patients, staff and members of the public
What is background radiation
Throughout everyday life we are exposed to background radiation which comes from food, buildings, etc.
How much background radiation is 1 dental x-ray equivalent to
1.5 days or less of natural background radiation exposure
What is ICRP
The ICRP is an independent, international, non-governmental organization, with the mission to provide recommendations and guidance on radiation protection
What does ICRP publications recommend
a legal framework for radiation safety
What is ICRP aimed at
government level where it is about how systems should be put in place to regulate radiation
What is the basic principles of ICRP
That all radiation exposures are justified, optimized and limited
What is meant by justified
if you expose anyone to radiation then it must be justified and it must do more good than harm. There must be sufficient benefit to the individuals or society to offset any detriment
What is meant by optimized
the magnitude of radiation exposures, and the number of people exposed must be As Low As Reasonably Practicable, taking into account social and economic factor
What is meant by limited
a system of individual radiation dose limits is used to ensure no person receives an unacceptable level of exposure
What is the IAEA
another body that takes recommendations further
They are part of the UN
What do the IAEA do
publish ‘model regulations for the use of radiation sources and for the management of associated radioactive waste’
What is the IAEA designed to do
be used as a template for radiation safety legislation around the world
What are the two pieces of UK legislation for diagnostic radiology
ionizing radiations regulation 2017 ionizing radiation (medical exposure) regulation 2017
What are IRR17 and IRMER17 enacted under
health and safety at work act
What does IRR17 deal with
occupational exposure of staff and exposure of the general public
Who is IRR17 enforced by
the health and safety executive who have specialist inspectors for the radiation matters
For IRR17 who is responsible for putting in place arrangements for compliance
employer
For IRR17 who is responsible for following the safety arrangements
employees
For NHS practices who is responsible for compliance as the employer
NHS
For private’s practices who is responsible for compliance as the employer
owner
What does regulation 6 of IRR17 cover
licensing
How must the employer obtain licensing according to regulation 6 IRR17
employer must obtain registration from HSE for use of X-rays which can be obtained by HSE website by answering questions on compliance arrangements and paying £25
For dentist what is HSE registration required under IRR17 for
the ‘use of a radiation generator’ - the x ray unit
What does regulation 14 of IRR17 state
- Regulation 14 states that an employer should consult an RPA on certain matters
What is an RPA
(radiation protection adviser) is a person meeting HSE requirements to advise on radiation safety
What is the advice from the RPA
related to what an employer needs to do to comply with regulations of the public and employees are kept safe
What are some examples of the things an employer needs to consult the RPA about
○ Designation of areas
○ Prior examination of plans for installations and acceptance into service of safety features and warning devices
○ Regular equipment checks
○ Periodic testing of safety features and warning devices
○ Radiation risk assessment and dose assessment
○ Investigations
Contingency plans
What does regulation 8 require in IRR17
a radiation risk assessment must be carried
What issues does regulation 8 include in IRR17
What safety features are required?
What level of radiation exposure could staff receive?
What does regulation 9 or IRR require
exposures to be restricted to As Low As Reasonably Practicable, and the risk assessment must consider how that is being done or come up with ways to improve on it
How must adjacent areas protected
lining in walls
may have to be lead lined for OPT OR CBCT