Any employer that works with ionising radiations must be compliant with the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17). Depending on the activity (called a practice in IRR17) you may need authorization from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in Great Britain or the HSENI for Northern Ireland (under Ionising Radiations Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (IRR(NI)17)).

Any Employer that works with ionising radiation, whether that is a radioactive source, a naturally occurring radioactive material, work with a radiation generator or working in a Radon Gas atmosphere is likely to require appointment of a Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) to comply with IRR17/IRR(NI)17.

A Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) is appointed by the Employer that works with ionising radiation and provides expert advice on compliance to IRR17/IRR(NI)17. The RPA must be able to demonstrate competence and suitability. L2 Business Consulting Limited is an HSE recognised RPA Body. You can contact L2 to find out if you need to appoint an RPA and have an initial consultation on your uses of ionising radiation before appointment without cost.

Yes, with the exception of some very low risk activities, all work with ionising radiations must be notified to the applicable regulator under IRR17/IRR(NI)17 in line with the Graded Approach. This can include Notification, Registration or Consent. You should contact your RPA for advice on the correct certificate required and for support in making your application to the applicable regulator.

If you are working with ionising radiations, whether that is a radioactive source, radiation generator or Radon Gas, you must have a suitable Radiation Risk Assessment that is compliant to the HSE IRR17 ACoP and Guidance Paragraphs 70 and 71. You must consult your RPA on the Radiation Risk Assessment. Radiation Risk Assessments must be subject to regular review and update to reflect any lessons learnt and any changes to the work you undertake.

Yes. Depending on the mode of transport there are specific regulations around transportation of radioactive materials (Class 7 Dangerous Goods). These include national and international regulations depending on the mode of transport in addition to the requirements of IRR17/IRR(NI)17 in relation to the practice of transport of radioactive materials. Unless you are only transporting Excepted Packages, you will need to appoint an RPA and a Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA). L2 are an HSE recognised RPA Body and employ a number of Class 7 competent DGSAs.

Any transport of radioactive materials (Class 7 Dangerous Goods) by road, rail, or inland waterway is likely to require the appointment of a suitable DGSA with experience in the transport of radioactive materials unless you are only transporting Excepted Packages. Whilst a DGSA is not mandatory for marine and air transport, good advice on regulatory compliance can be provided by a suitable DGSA. As well as a DGSA, you will also need to appoint a suitable RPA.

Yes. Whenever an Employer is working with any form of ionising radiations there is a need for routine monitoring for normal day to day work, as well as the potential for monitoring in the event that a radiation accident occurs. The type and frequency of monitoring is an area that the RPA can provide advice to the Employer on what is suitable to ensure all radiation doses to employees and others are As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP).

Yes. Anyone working with ionising radiations must receive suitable Radiation Awareness Training before they can commence work safely. The training is likely to include the hazards and risks relating to ionising radiations, radiation monitoring, an understanding of the applicable regulations, safe working practices and what to do if things go wrong. L2 can provide classroom and live online training covering a range of applications and industries. We can tailor this training to specific client needs and requirements. All of our training courses include the provision of written training materials and a course certificate subject to successful completion.

Radon-222 is an inert gas but is naturally radioactive from the radioactive decay of Radium-226, which in turn is a result of the decay of Uranium-238 found within rock in the ground. The exposure from Radon-222 Gas is primarily via its decay products which can result in radiation exposure to persons via inhalation of the Radon Gas and its decay products.

The Radon Gas migrates through the ground by a combination of diffusion and pressure gradients. The Radon Gas decay products can adhere to particles in the air or remain as free ions within the air.

Radon Gas is quickly diluted in outside air and its activity concentration generally remains low, most often less than about 10 Bq/m³ in air. In confined spaces such as offices, schools and homes, it can accumulate and reach high concentrations of several thousand Bq/m3, which can be even higher in any confined spaces underground such as basements, tanks and mines. Long term exposure via inhalation of the decay products of Radon Gas has been linked to an increase in the risk of developing lung cancer and a resulting increase in premature deaths related to the lung cancer.

In the first instance you must ensure your Radon gas monitoring is effective and representative of the areas your employees are working in and any others including visitors, contractors and the public. You must consult your RPA on the requirements for monitoring and related results under IRR17/IRR(NI)17. Your RPA can provide initial advice on the requirements for a Radiation Risk Assessment, Radon Awareness Training for employees, need for dose assessment and potential requirements for Radon Gas mitigation.

This will depend on the nature of the radioactive materials being used, the radionuclides and how radioactive the sources are. Depending on where the work is being undertaken, there is applicable national legislation depending on which part of the UK you are working in. This legislation includes the potential for Out of Scope (i.e. not considered radioactive), Exempt (i.e. regulations apply but exempt from the need to have an Environmental Permit), and the requirement for the applicable Radioactive Substances Activity (RSA) Environmental Permit (i.e. Standard Rules, Sealed Source, Unsealed Source (including discharge to the environment and radioactive waste)) from the applicable environmental agency. L2 can provide advice on permit application and compliance arrangements including Management Arrangements, Environmental Dose Assessment, Best Available Technique (BAT)/Best Practical Means (BPM) and appointment as Radioactive Waste Adviser (RWA).