John Saunderson
Radiation Protection Adviser
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The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 Medicines (Administration of Radioactive Substances) Regulations 1978
nuclear medicine, brachytherapy (ARSAC)
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Guidance
Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) Guidance Notes DoT guidance odd HSE guidance etc. IPEM, NRPB, RCR, BIR, etc. stuff.
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Notification to HSE
Prior risk assessments
Employee must
not knowingly expose himself greater than necessary use personal protective equipment provided report equipment defects look after PPE (extra duties for classified persons)
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Controlled area
any area where it is necessary to follow special procedures to restrict significant exposure, or any area where > 6 mSv/y, or 3/10th dose limit is likely also ACOP says if
> 7.5 uSv/h averaged over 8 h working day > 75 uSv/h to hands averaged over 8 h working day contamination risk need to keep non-radiation workers out
Controlled area
any area where it is necessary to follow special procedures to restrict significant exposure, or any area where > 6 mSv/y, or 3/10th dose limit is likely also ACOP says if
> 7.5 uSv/h averaged over 8 h working day > 75 uSv/h to hands averaged over 8 h working day contamination risk need to keep non-radiation workers out
Supervised area
any area where it is necessary to keep conditions under review, or any area where > 1 mSv in a year, or 1/10th dose limit is likely.
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Local Rules
How to work safely in that area Must contain
Dose investigation levels contingencies for foreseeable accidents RPS name describe area covered work instructions for unclassified workers.
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Local Rules
Could also contain
management and supervision of work testing and maintenance of safety features radiation and contamination monitoring testing of monitors personal dosimetry arrangements for pregnant and breast feeding staff risk assessments programme to review ALARA RPA contact.
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Local Rules
Usually get new employees to read Local Rules and sign to say they have understood them.
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R.P.A.
Must have qualification approved by HSE (e.g. RPA2000 certificate) Must be appointed in writing Must be consulted on
controlled and supervised areas. prior examination of plans regular calibration of dose monitoring equipment periodic testing of safety features and warning devices risk assessment of new radiation work. incidents where more then 6 mSv has been received.
Very low dose (< 1uSv/h @ 10 cm) x-ray units of a design approved by HSE VDUs with < 1uSv/h @ 10 cm < 30 kV and < 1uSv/h @ 10 cm.
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R.P.S.
Must be appointed for the purpose of securing compliance with these Regulations in controlled or supervised areas Name must be in Local Rules It is recommended that
know & understand regs. and local rules command sufficient authority understand necessary precautions know what to do in an emergency.
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Classified workers
Anyone who may exceed 6 mSv effective dose per year, or 3/ th of a dose limit (e.g. 150 mSv hand dose, or 50 mSv lens dose) 10
Dose Limits
Schedule 4 Part 1
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Employees 18
20 mSv/y effective dose 150 mSv/y equivalent dose to lens of eye 500 mSv/y equivalent dose over 1 cm2 skin 500 mSv/y equivalent dose to hands, forearms, feet and ankles
Trainee < 18
6 mSv/y effective dose 50 mSv/y lens of eye 150 mSv/y over 1 cm2 skin 150 mSv/y hands, forearms, feet and ankles .
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Reg. 11(2)
(2) Where an employer is able to demonstrate in respect of any employee that the dose limit specified in paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 4 is impracticable having regard to the nature of the work undertaken by that employee, the employer may in respect of that employee apply the dose limits set out in paragraphs 9 to 11 of that Schedule and in such case the provisions of Part II of the Schedule shall have effect.
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Not allowed for Trainees < 18 Abdomen of women of reproductive capacity at work
13 mSv / 3 months equivalent dose .
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Dose Limits
Note, not like a speed limit. Doses must be as low as is reasonably practicable (ALARP) Dose constraints used in design
e.g. 0.3 mSv for members of public, 5 mSv for comforters and carers (1mSv if pregnant)
Foetus limit: 1 mSv from notification of pregnancy by employee Need formal investigation levels for staff Do not apply to medical exposures.
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HSE Nov. 01
There has been a number of reported cases where employees have failed to take good care of their dosemeters. Many of these cases involve employees in the Health Services, some of whom have been senior clinicians.
Non-Classified employees who have been provided with a dosemeter by their employer to
ensure compliance with reg 18(2)(b)(ii) of the IRR99 have a duty to look after that dosemeter and return it for processing as required. Provided the employer has informed the employees of that duty and is exercising the appropriate level of supervision, employees who
persistently fail to wear, look after or return their dosemeters promptly are liable to enforcement action by inspectors up to and including prosecution
under Section 7 of the HSW Act 1974. Employers may find statement of this fact useful when dealing with 'errant' staff.
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Notification of incidents
Must report to HSE where dose to patient is much greater than intended due to equipment fault.
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Incidents
Any untoward occurrence which may result in excess radiation to staff or patients must be referred to the Radiation Protection Supervisor and the Radiation Protection Adviser, who will estimate the dose and liase with management, HSE, DoH, HCC, EA, etc. as appropriate
Suspect equipment must be withdrawn from service and labelled according.
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Investigation
establishing what happened
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