What are the key Regulations?

Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 (IRR99)

Salient points are:

Users of ionising radiation must ensure they have authorisation of their practices and notify the Health & Safety Executive of their intentions;

There must be a formal prior risk assessment of all uses of ionising radiation – this is seen as a key element of the Regulations;

Employers must ensure that employees radiation doses are as low as reasonably practicable, and in any case within certain dose limits;

Personal protective equipment that is fit for purpose must be used when appropriate;

Controls & safety devices must be subject to regular maintenance & testing, with full records being kept;

Contingency plans must be in place for all reasonably foreseeable accidents;

Most radiation employers need to appoint a suitable Radiation Protection Adviser, who must hold a certificate of competence from a certificating body to practice;

Employees must have appropriate information, instruction and training to enable them to do their job safely;

Areas where radiation doses are potentially more hazardous must be demarcated and subject to certain controls;

Local rules are required for those who work in those designated areas, and they may need the appointment of a Radiation Protection Supervisor to ensure local

compliance with the Regulations;

Overexposures of staff must be notified to the Health & Safety Executive;