The Environmental Permitting Regulations 2010 (EPR2010) are enforced by the Environment Agency. The Agency grants environmental permits to purchase, store, use and dispose of ionising radiation sources. Any breaches of the conditions set out in a permit can result in revocation of the permit and halting of the work. All existing registrations and authorisations for ionising radiation are automatically considered as environmental permits since 6 April 2010. After this date, new authorisations and registrations, or a change, transfer or surrender of existing authorisations and registrations must be carried out under the requirements of EPR2010.
The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive and are intended to protect people who may be affected by work involving ionising radiation. Breaches of these Regulations can result in halting of the work and possible prosecution.
Use the following links for further information:
- https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/radioactive-substances-regulation-for-non-nuclear-sites
- http://www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/ionising/index.htm
No work with ionising radiation should be carried out without the required permit(s), notification, registration or consent. If there are any queries relating to the above then contact the Health & Safety Unit for advice.
Responsibilities
University Secretary
- The University Secretary must appoint a competent Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA), Radioactive Waste Adviser (RWA) and Radiation Protection Officer (RPO)
Faculty Operating Officer (FOO)
- The FOO must appoint competent Radiation Protection Supervisors (RPS)
Radiation Protection Advisor (RPA)/Radioactive Waste Adviser (RPW)/Radiation Protection Officer (RPO) /Radiation Protection Supervisors (RPSs)
See full responsibilities of the Radiation Protection & Radioactive Waste Adviser, Radiation Protection Officer and Radiation Protection Supervisors.
Staff, Researchers and Students
Any member of staff, researcher or student planning to purchase, store, use or dispose of an ionising radiation source or generator (including sources in equipment) must first:
- Inform their RPS of their intended activity
- Carry out a risk assessment of the proposed work, in consultation with their RPS, RPO and Health & Safety Local Officer (HSLO). The Health & Safety Unit (HSU) should also be consulted if there are any unresolved queries
- Ensure contingency plans have been drawn up for all reasonably foreseeable radiation accidents
- In consultation with their RPO, RPS and HSLO, draw up 'local rules' for the safe use and security of the source or generator, including emergency procedures. If necessary the HSU should also be consulted.
- Review the risk assessment and local rules if there are significant changes in legislation, work methods, equipment, location or personnel involved, or if there is any other reason to believe that the assessment or rules are no longer valid.
The HSU can advise on suitable training courses for the Radiation Protection Supervisor.
Original July 2012 (Revised February 2018)