IRR99 is administered by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) as part of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.
The control of radiation exposure to individuals whilst at work, including persons exposed as a result of an employer’s work activity, is covered by the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 (IRR99). The main aim of the regulations is to establish a framework for ensuring that exposure to ionising radiation arising from work activities is kept as low as reasonably practicable and doses received do not exceed dose limits specified for individuals. Key areas of radiation protection covered in IRR99 include: Risk assessments, Restriction of exposure - As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP), Dose limits, Classified persons, Radiation Protection Advisers, Training, Designation of areas, Local rules, Outside Workers and entering controlled areas, Radiation Protection Supervisors, Monitoring, and Accounting for radioactive substances.
What if I don’t comply with IRR99?
Health and Safety Inspectors have statutory powers to assist them in enforcing the Regulations. Local Authority Inspectors (e.g. Environmental Health Officers) can enforce the Act where work with ionising radiation is ‘not the main activity’.
Non-compliance with IRR99 could lead to all or some of the following:
- Radiation exposure to employees
- Improvement notices
- Prohibition notices
- Prosecution (fines, bad publicity, cessation of operations)
Does IRR99 apply to me?
IRR99 can apply to any employer who carries out work with ionising radiation. These employers are known as ‘radiation employers’. To find out more about your duties as a radiation employer click here.
Even if you are not by definition a ‘radiation employer’, you still may have duties under IRR99, such as:
- Restriction of exposure
- Dose Limitation
- Suitable training
- Co-operation between employers
- Designation of Classified Persons
- Dose assesment and recording, along with medical surveillance
- Radioactive Substances Act 1993 registration and authorisation
- Transport legislation
Click here to contact a Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) to find out more
Learn More...
If you would like to learn more about the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 then we recommend attending the following Courses.