radiation protection advice

Aurora has a number of individually certificated Radiation Protection Advisers (RPAs) with over 130 years of combined experience in providing suitable and effective advice to ensure that its clients are working safely and legally with ionising radiation.

The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 (IRR99) apply to any organisation carrying out work with radioactive substances or X-ray sets. IRR99 can also apply to organisations working with materials that contain natural radioactivity, such as mineral sands.

IRR99 require organisations working with ionising radiation to consult with a suitable RPA as to what they need to do to comply with the law. A suitable RPA is an individual that meets the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) criteria of competence and has the necessary experience and expertise to advice on the organisation’s uses of radiation.

IRR99 require that, with effect from 1 January 2005, all RPA advice must be provided by certificated RPAs who meet the HSE criteria of competence.

Typical topics on which Aurora RPAs are requested to provide advice on include the following:

• RPA appointments.
• Health and Safety Executive (HSE) notification of work.
• Prior risk assessments.
• Contingency plans.
• Training in radiation protection.
• Restriction of exposure and keeping radiation doses as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP).
• Designation of classified persons.
• Dose assessment and recording.
• Medical surveillance.
• Radiological designation of areas and restriction on access.
• Co-operation between employers on application of legal requirements.
• Control and accountancy of radioactive substances.
• Maintenance and examination of engineering controls.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Local rules and safe systems of work.
• Safety role appointments such as Radiation Protection Supervisor.
• Selection, calibration and use of radiation monitoring equipment.
• Leak testing sealed sources.