Employers must manage the risks of ionising radiation sensibly to protect workers and the public.
This page explains what ionising radiation is and your legal duties as an employer.
Ionising and non-ionising radiation
The main difference between ionising and non-ionising radiation is that ionising radiation carries more energy.
Ionising radiation includes:
- X-rays
- gamma rays
- radiation from radioactive sources and sources of naturally occurring radiation, such as radon gas
Ionising radiation has many uses in industry, such as energy production, manufacturing, medicine and research and produces many benefits to society. However, it is important that the risks of ionising radiation are managed sensibly to protect workers and the public.
Non-ionising radiation includes:
- visible light
- ultra-violet light
- infra-red radiation
- electromagnetic fields
Find out more about non-ionising radiation[1]
Where ionising radiation occurs
Ionising radiation occurs as either electromagnetic rays (such as X-rays and gamma rays) or particles (such as alpha and beta particles).
It occurs naturally (for example from the radioactive decay of natural radioactive substances such as radon gas and its decay products) but can also be produced artificially.
How people can be exposed
People can be exposed externally to radiation from a radioactive material or a generator such as an X-ray set, or internally by inhaling or ingesting radioactive substances. Wounds that become contaminated by radioactive material can also cause radioactive exposure.
Everyone receives some exposure to natural background radiation and many people have also has the occasional medical or dental X-ray.
HSE is concerned with the control of exposure to radiation arising from the use of radioactive materials and radiation generators from work activities. This is to ensure that workers and members of the public are not harmed by these activities.
The use of ionising radiation includes the use of radioactive materials and radiation generators from these work activities:
- manufacturing, food production and waste processing
- construction
- engineering
- oil and gas production
- non-destructive testing
- medical, veterinary and dental sectors
- education and research establishments (for example universities and colleges)
- nuclear
The nuclear industry and most transport of radioactive substances is regulated by the Office for Nuclear Regulation. However, employers will also need to notify, register or gain consent from HSE where these requirements apply[2].
The main legal requirements enforced by HSE are detailed in Working with ionising radiation Approved Code of Practice and guidance (L121)[3].
Notify or apply for registration or consent
Depending on the level of risk, before working with ionising radiation, you may need to:
- notify the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – low-risk activities
- apply to HSE for a registration – medium-risk activities
- apply to HSE for consent – high-risk activities
This is required under the Ionising Radiations Regulations (IRR).
Find out how to notify, register or apply for consent[4]
If you work with radioactive substances above specified levels
If you carry out work with radioactive substances which is more than specified levels, the Radiation Emergency Preparedness and Public Information Regulations (REPPIR) may apply to you.
Find out if REPPIR applies to you[5]
Reporting incidents to HSE
You must report certain incidents to HSE under:
- Ionising Radiations Regulations (IRR)
- Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR)
Ionising Radiations Regulations
If any of the following incidents occur, you will need to email a report to HSE:
- where you suspect or have been informed that an overexposure has occurred.
- where an accident or other occurrence takes place which is likely to result in a person receiving an effective dose of ionising radiation greater than the following you must arrange a dose assessment and report the results:
- dose greater than 6mSv or an equivalent dose greater than 15mSv for the lens of an eye
- dose greater than 150mSv for the skin or the extremities
- where there has been a loss, theft or release of a certain quantity of radioactive material
You can find full details of the above incidents that need to be reported in the Working with ionising radiation Approved Code of Practice and guidance (L121)[6].
Email: irrnot@hse.gov.uk
RIDDOR
If either of the following incidents occur, you will need to report them to HSE:
- the malfunction of a radiation generator or its ancillary equipment – during industrial radiography and irradiation of food, or the processing of products by irradiation – causing it to fail to de-energise at the end of the intended exposure period
- the malfunction of equipment used in industrial radiography or gamma irradiation, causing a radioactive source to fail to return to its safe position by normal means at the end of the intended exposure period
RIDDOR reporting procedures[7]