Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Radiation
The main concerns are that a significant number of NDT contractors fail
to adopt routine working practices capable of keeping radiation exposures
of employees as low as reasonably practicable: this is the main requirement
of the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 (IRR99). Incidents occur because
of poor job planning (most notably with site radiography); failure to use
adequate local source shielding (collimation); or inadequate systems of
work. HSE is taking forward a number of initiatives aimed at improving this
sectors performance at managing radiation protection. This includes a free
information sheet "Industrial radiography
- managing radiation risks" Ionising Radiation Protection sheet IRP1
[30kb]
and an inspection and advice programme.
Site radiography contractors need to give HSE at least seven days advance notification. This period of time is deemed necessary to enable consultations between client and contractor to take place, to review risk assessments and to allow any necessary variations to be incorporated into the local rules. These processes must be built into the planning of the job.