Topic 19: The ionising radiations regulations Flashcards

1
Q

RP principles?

A

Justification (it needs to worth the radiation), optimisation (Restrict exposure to as low as reasonably achievable) Limitation (no one gets more than a dose limit)

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2
Q

Who is responsible for radiation safety?

A

Chief executives

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3
Q

Before starting work what do you do?

A

Consult and appoint an RPA
Notify HSE or apply for registration or consent
Radiation risk assessment
Designate areas
Appropriate PPE and systems of work for restriction of exposure
Contingency plans
Instruct and train employees

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4
Q

What ways can we notify the HSE?

A
  1. Notification
    - Work with very small quantities of radioactive material
  2. Registration (you get asked more questions)
    - If you work with radiation generators
    - or work with radioactive Materials
  3. Consent
    - Operation of an accelerator
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5
Q

What is included in a radiation risk assessment?

A

Why? - To identify all radiation hazards to which employees or other persons might be exposed and assess the nature and magnitude of risks associated with the hazards.
Who? - The employer who carries out work with ionising radiation is responsible for making sure the risk assessment is completed.
When? - Before commencing a new activity involving work ionising radiation for which there is no existing risk assessment.

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6
Q

What kinds of things do you put in your RRA?

A

Nature of sources of ionising radiation to be used
Estimated radiation dose rates to which anyone can be exposed
The likelihood of contamination arising and being spread
The results of any previous personal dosimetry or area monitoring relevant to the proposed work
Advice from the manufacturer or supplier of equipment about its safe use and maintenance

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7
Q

When are controlled designated areas used?

A

Necessary where:
special procedures necessary to restrict significant exposure
significant risk of spread of contamination
person likely to receive E> 6mV.

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8
Q

A supervised area

A
  • Doesnt meet the criteria of a controlled area (as in only uses small amounts) but area where conditions need to be kept under review
  • Person likely to receive E > 1mSv
  • Signs to warn of designation, nature of hazard and risks.
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9
Q

Classified workers

A

A classified worker can go into a controlled area. However every one else can go in as well by a loophole.

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10
Q

Local rules

A

written rules required for work in controlled and possibly supervised areas.

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11
Q

Radiation protection advisor

A

advises employer on application of IRR2017

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12
Q

Ways of restriction of exposure?

A
Design
Dose constraints
Systems of work
Personal protective equipment
Training
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13
Q

How can design be used to restrict exposure?

A
Shielding
 - lead in walls and doors
 - lead glass screens
 - syringe shields
Equipment features
 - collimation
 - filtration
 - dose saving factors 
Emergency stop buttons
Room layout
Warning signs
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14
Q

How can dose constraints be used to restrict exposure?

A
A planning tool not a dose limit
Identify potential exposed groups
Set a dose constraint for each group
Design facility so that this constraint will not be exceeded 
Audit once running
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15
Q

Systems of work

A
  • Procedural controls come after design controls
  • Keeping doses ALARP and below classification levels
  • Restrict:
    Amount of radiation
    Duration of exposure
    Number of people exposed
    Permits to work if dose rates high enough
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16
Q

Personal protective equipment has to be?

A

adequate and suitable

examples: lead aprons

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17
Q

Training

A

Nature and hazard of radiation
Legal requirements
Use of design controls
Selection and use of PPE

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18
Q

What do breastfeeding and pregnant workers need to do?

A

Restriction of exposure to prevent significant bodily contamination
Requires extra risk assessment
Assume woman in breastfeeding when returning to work after maternity leave

19
Q

What happens when theres an incident?

A

Notify HSE

20
Q

Who are the ionising radiation regulations aimed at?

A
Patients
Health screening programmes
Research
Carers and comforters
Asymptomatic individuals
Individuals undergoing non-medical imaging  with medical equipment
21
Q

Who are the responsible persons?

A
Referrer
Practitioner
Operator
Employer
Medical Physics expert
22
Q

Referrer ?

A

A registered health care professional who is entitled to refer individuals for medical exposure to a practitioner.

ASK S FOR IT

23
Q

Practitioner

A

A registered health care professional who is entitled to take responsibility for an individual medical exposure.
JUSTIFIES IT

24
Q

Operator?

A

Does it. No need to be a registered health care practitioner.

25
Q

Employer

A

who has legal responsibility for a given radiological installation.

26
Q

Employers procedures and protocols

A
  1. Construct employers procedures,
  2. Protocols: establish the dose constraints
  3. Establish recommendations
27
Q

Employers procedures

A
Patient ID,
Pregnancy
ID referrer, operator and practitioner
Ensure QA
Dose assessment
Info on benefits and risks
28
Q

Medical physics expert

A
  • Science degree or equivalent
  • Experienced in application of physics to the diagnostic and therapeutic uses of ionising radiation
  • Involved in every medical exposure
  • Advise on compliance
29
Q

Justification and authorisation ?

A
Justification 
- by the practitioner
Authorisation
- by the practitioner
- or by operator acting under written guidelines
"dont act beyond your experience"
30
Q

What is a diagnostic reference level

A

a dose level, or amount of radioactivity used in a diagnostic procedure for typical examinations. When it is exceeded it can be questioned. Because there is no dose limit.

31
Q

Are DRLs changed for age?

A

yes.

32
Q

How can Diagnostic Reference Levels be measured?

A

Dose Area Products.

33
Q

What are carers and comforters?

A

“individuals knowingly and willingly incurring an exposure to ionising radiation by helping, other than as part of their occupation, in the support and comfort of individuals undergoing or having undergone medical exposure.”

34
Q

What are classified workers and describe the arrangements a radiation employer must put in place for any such employee

A

a classified person is someone who will receive more than 6mSv and they will be certified by a doctor and will be tracked for their dose over the year by a certified HSE dosimetry service

35
Q

Local rules enable work to be carried out in accordance with ____

A

IRR2017

36
Q

The local rules are the responsibility of who to read and supply?

A

They employer

37
Q

What essential content is required for the local rules?

A

The dose investigation level and the the names of the protection supervisors and the contigency arrangements for foreseeable incidents and the description of the areas

38
Q

a radiation protection adviser advises employer on application of _____

A

IRR2017

39
Q

Radiation protection supervisor role?

A

to supervise work in areas where local rules are required

40
Q

What is a dose constraint?

A

a planning tool.

41
Q

what are some examples of SoW (systems of work)

A

use of shielded areas
keeping away from patient table in interventional radiology unless necessary
Use of PPE and dosemeters

42
Q

examples of PPE in radiology?

A

Lead aprons
Pb specs
Lab coats and gloves

43
Q

after being notified that someone is pregnant the ____ should ensure that exposure is restricted so that foetal dose is ALARP.

A

employer

44
Q

List 5 examples of incidents to be reported to the HSE?

A
  1. Too much dose
  2. Too much exposure
  3. Loss
  4. Spillage
  5. Working with radiations