Radiation Protection

Advisory Service

RPAplus Cymru Ltd.

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Risk Assessment

Regulation 7 of the Ionising Radiation Regulations requires that a radiation employer performs a prior risk assessment sufficient to demonstrate that the nature and magnitude of the risk from ionising radiation has been fully evaluated. We can help you prepare suitable and sufficient assessments which encompass all matters to be considered in the Approved Code of Practice. These include;

The nature of the sources
The assessment of dose (through dosimetry, measurement or calculation)
The likelihood and extent of contamination
The possibility and consequences of any accident

The assessment should allow the employer to establish actions necessary to keep doses As Low As Reasonably Practicable and also include a consideration of conventional risks. It will allow the employer to determine what dose constraints should be set (if any) and if further action will be necessary under the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations (which applies if quantities of radioactive material on-site are high enough to cause a ‘radiation emergency’ with larger consequences to the public).

Local Rules

Local rules are required for any controlled radiation area and, where appropriate, supervised area dependent on the nature of the work underway. As a minimum, they should outline the key working instructions necessary to restrict occupational doses to as low as reasonable practicable and should also contain;

A description of the designated area to which the rules apply.
The identity (and contact details) of the Radiation Protection Supervisor.
A summary (or reference to) contingency arrangements.
The dose investigation level set by the employer.

The detail contained in local rules depends very much on the complexity of work underway and expert advice on the content and suitability of rules can be offered.

Audits and Monitoring Surveys

The Ionising Radiation Regulations place an obligation on the employer to assess the risk of spreading radioactive contamination. Where this potential exists they must make adequate arrangements to restrict contamination spread. In practice, monitoring programmes should afford for monitoring of the immediate work area as an integral part of the work activity with some physical evidence that this is being carried out.

The Ionising Radiation Regulations require that the employer consults an RPA about the type and extent of the monitoring programme required and the calibration and checking of monitoring equipment. With extensive experience of monitoring regimes in the laboratory, methods of containment and in situ real time monitoring systems RPAplus Cymru is ideally placed to advise on suitable programmes in your area of work. We can also perform independent site audits to verify that contamination control is effective and to verify the contamination status on-site at the decommissioning phase of an operation prior to surrender of environmental permits and return of a site, or part thereof, to non-radioactive use.

Levels of Service

‘Gold’ service contracts can include;

Unlimited RPA support (email, phone, letter) for the duration of contract

Agreed number of annual visits (e.g. 2d per year)

On-site auditing of safety and environmental protection

Advice on compliance with EPR10/CDG09 (radioactive materials)

Assistance with documentation, permit variations, pollution inventory returns, etc.

Review of risk assessments, local rules, permit documentation, policies, etc.

Practical assistance with statutory tasks (wipe testing, sampling, performance checks, etc.)

‘Silver’ service contracts can include;

Limited RPA support (email, phone, letter) for the duration of contract

One site visit per year/on-site auditing

Advice on compliance with EPR10 and CDG09

‘Bronze’ contracts retain RPA service over the period of contract with a basic level of email/phone support in a limited area of work. Usually this suits where co-operation between radiation employers takes place. Additional work e.g. site visits would be charged separately.

RPAplus Registered office Cranbourne Way, Cardiff; Registered in England and Wales, Company No. 7048918

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