radiation protection legislation

Question 1

Ionising radiation regualations 2017

IRR (17)

Answer 1

• covers work with ionising radiation
• optimisation and limitation of exposure
• primary focus is on employees and the public, secondary focus is on the patient

Question 2

employers responsibility under IRR(17)

Answer 2

employer should take steps to restrict the extent to which employees are exposed to ionising radiation by;

• using engineering controls, design features, safety features and warning devices
• systems of work
• ppe
• employer must appoint a radiation protection advisor

Question 3

general principles of IRR (17)

Answer 3

• authorisation
• notification of work
• prior risk assessment
• restriction of exposure
• ppe and its maintenance
• dose limitation
• contingency plans

Question 4

controlled area

Answer 4

an area is controlled of any person in the area may receive an effective dose pf 6 mSv a year or an equivalent dose greater than 3/10 of the dose limits for employees over 18

Question 5

supervised area

Answer 5

an area is supervised if any person may receive an effective greater than 1 mSv a year or an equivalent dose of greater than 1/10 of the dose limit for employees over 18

Question 6

local rules

Answer 6

• must be provided for controlled areas
• radiation protection supervisor is appointed to ensure the local rules are enforced
• contain identification and description of controlled areas, names of RPA, RPS and head of dept., summary of working instructions and contingency arrangements.

Question 7

local rules- system of work

Answer 7

outlines who can enter the controlled area. no one other than the patient can remain in the controlled area during irradiation, non monitored persons may enter when the beam is off

Question 8

duty of employee under IRR(17)

Answer 8

• must not knowingly expose themselves to radiation
• must ensure they use safety equipment and follow safety instructions given
• report overexposure’s

Question 9

Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposures) Regulations 2017
IR(ME)R

Answer 9

• focuses on the patient
• all medical use of ionising radiation
• centres on the principles of justification and optimisation
• prevents any exposure that has not been justified and authorised
• outlines the role of key people

Question 10

roles defined by IR(ME)R

Answer 10

• employer
• referrer
• practitioner
• operator
• medical physics expert

Question 11

role of the employer

Answer 11

• patient ID
• pregnancy status
• QA programmes
• ensure exposures are evaluated and recorded
• required to keep training records

Question 12

referrer

Answer 12

• registered healthcare professional entitled to refer the pt to a practitioner for medical exposure
• request pt exposures
• supplies the practitioner with sufficient data relevant to the exposure requested to enable the practitioner to decide if it has sufficient net benefit

Question 13

practitioner

Answer 13

• justifies and authorises exposures of pts.

- ensures treatment is planned individually and dose to non target tissue is alarp

Question 14

operator

Answer 14

• any person who is entitled, in accordance with the employers procedures to carry out practical aspects
• comply with procedures
• patient ID
• enquire about pregancy
• cooperate with staff
• optimisation
• practical aspects (e.g. positioning)

Question 15

medical physics expert

Answer 15

• operator status
• patient dosimetry
• equipment management
• optimisation
• advice on regulatory compliance