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Notify, registration or consent for work with ionising radiation

2. What you need to do

Whether you need to notify HSE, or apply for registration or consent depends on the level of risk of the work you carry out. That is, the size and likelihood of exposure to ionising radiation.

Work with radiation generators

For work with radiation generators (such as X-ray devices) you must apply to HSE for a registration, unless it’s a high-risk work practice that requires consent.

More on work with radiation generators[5]

Working in an atmosphere that contains radon

For work in an atmosphere containing radon above an annual average concentration of 300 Bq m-3 you must notify the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

More on working in an atmosphere containing radon[6]

Work with artificial or naturally occurring radionuclides

In the vast majority of cases you will need to apply for a registration for the following work, but in a few cases you may need to notify HSE:

  • Work with artificial radionuclides or naturally occurring radionuclides (processed for their radioactive, fissile or fertile properties)
  • Work with naturally occurring radionuclides (not processed for their radioactive, fissile or fertile properties)

To check, go to our guidance on work with ionising radiation that requires registration[7].

High-risk work practices

For high-risk work practices, you must apply to HSE for consent.

More about work that requires consent[8].

Work that does not require you to notify or apply to HSE

Work on nuclear premises

If you will be carrying out work with ionising radiation exclusively or primarily on nuclear premises, you do not need to notify, register or get consent from HSE. You must instead, notify or apply for registration or consent from the Office for Nuclear Regulation.[9]

Work that is exempt

You do not need to notify, or apply to HSE for registration or consent, for work:

  • with very small amounts or concentrations of radioactive substances
  • with apparatus of a type approved by HSE
  • involving the operation of some electrical devices

If you think this may include your work, check the exempt work listed under Schedule 1 of the approved code of practice and guidance for IRR17.[10]

Link URLs in this page

  1. Overviewhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/ionising/notifiy-register-consent.htm
  2. How to notify or applyhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/ionising/notify.htm
  3. After you notify or have been granted registration or consenthttps://www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/ionising/granted.htm
  4. Reporting a material change after consent has been grantedhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/ionising/report-material-change.htm
  5. More on work with radiation generatorshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/ionising/registration.htm
  6. More on working in an atmosphere containing radonhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/ionising/notification.htm
  7. work with ionising radiation that requires registrationhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/ionising/registration.htm
  8. More about work that requires consenthttps://www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/ionising/consent.htm
  9. Office for Nuclear Regulation.https://www.onr.org.uk/irr17/index.htm
  10. approved code of practice and guidance for IRR17.https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l121.htm
  11. Previous page Overview https://www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/ionising/notifiy-register-consent.htm
  12. Next page How to notify or apply https://www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/ionising/notify.htm
  13. View a printable version of the whole guidehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/ionising/print.htm
  14. Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017. Approved Code of Practicehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l121.htm
  15. Work that requires notificationhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/ionising/notification.htm
  16. Work that requires registrationhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/ionising/registration.htm
  17. Work that requires consenthttps://www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/ionising/consent.htm
  18. Safety assessmentshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/ionising/safety-assessment.htm
  19. Work with radionuclideshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/ionising/radionuclides-notify-register.htm

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Updated 2024-10-15