Ionising Radiations

The Ionising Radiation (Application) Order 2019, brings into force the UK’s Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017.

The IRAO19 details only the amendments that have been made to the Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 in order to apply them to the Isle of Man, however; a copy of the amended regulations (with amendments made) can be found in IRAO19 Annex. 

The risk – based approach

As part of the IRAO19, there is a requirement on employers involved in work with ionising radiation (unless exempt from the regulations) to either notify the Department of the practice, register the practice with the Department or get consent from the Department to carry out their practice using ionising radiation.

This is part of a risk-based approach, where notification is the lowest tier of this risk based approach representing the lowest risk activities involving ionising radiation, registration is the intermediate tier and consent is the highest tier, reserved for the higher risk activities involving ionising radiation. 

Please read over the following guidance documents before attempting to complete the application form.

Flowchart  – Follow this flowchart to assist you in deciding which tier of the risk based approach you need to apply for.

Indicative list of practices  – This document provides examples of applications of ionising radiation and the tier of the risk based approach that they fall under. 

Once you have read over the guidance documents, please complete the application form to notify, register or gain consent from the Health and Safety Inspectorate. 

Non-medical imaging using non-medical equipment

If as part of your work with ionising radiation you use non-medical equipment to carry out non-medical imaging of subjects (e.g. to detect contraband on individuals) you must also submit an application for approval of this sort of practice the Health and Safety at Work Inspectorate

This requirement is detailed in Part 8 of the Ionising Radiation (Basic Safety Standards and Justification of Practices) Regulations 2019.

Application form to apply for approval of a work practices involving non-medical imaging. 

Type approval of apparatus

For the purposes of Schedule 1 of The Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 (as applied to the Island by the Ionising Radiation (Application) Order 2019); the Department recognises and accepts the apparatus approved by the UK’s Health and Safety Executive.

The apparatus approved by the UK’s Health and Safety Executive for the purposes outlined in Schedule 1 can be located on the UK's Health and Safety Executive website.

The Ionising Radiation (Basic Safety Standards and Justification of Practices) Regulations 2019 lays down basic safety standards for protection against the dangers arising from exposure to ionising radiation and is made up of the following parts;

Part 1 – General Information and Interpretation

Part 2 – Land and Other Exposer Situations

• Reg 4 -Measures to be taken in relation to exposures from land
• Reg 5 – Provision of information concerning public exposures from radioactive contaminated land
• Reg 6 – Measures to be taken in other exposure situations

Part 3 – Building Material

Part 4 – Radon

• Reg 8 – Indoor exposure to radon
• Reg 9 – Requirement to make available to the public information regarding radon
• Reg 10 - Radon action plan
• Reg 11 - New buildings
• Reg 12 - Areas of high radon concentration

Part 5 – Orphan Sources

• Reg 13 – Identification of orphan sources
• Reg 14 – Action to recover orphan sources left behind by past practices

Part 6 – Personal Ornaments and Toys

• Reg 15 – Addition of radioactive substances to personal ornaments or toys

Part 7 – Justification of Practices Involving Ionising Radiation

• Reg 7 – Justification of classes or types of practices

Part 8 – Justification of Practices Involving Non-Medical Imaging Exposure

• Reg 17 – Identification of imaging practices
• Reg 18 – Approval of imaging practices
• Reg 19 Individual justification and regular review
• Reg 20 – Dose constraints
• Reg 21 – Consent 

Justification is one of the key principles of radiological protection established by the International Commission on Radiological. The principle of justification is that no practice involving exposures to radiation should be adopted unless it produces sufficient benefit to the exposed individuals or to society to offset the radiation detriment it causes.

The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2019, address the radiation protection of persons undergoing medical exposures whether as part of their own medical diagnosis or treatment, as part of research, as asymptomatic individuals, as those undergoing non-medical imaging using medical radiological equipment or as carers and comforters of persons undergoing medical exposures.

The Regulations impose duties on employers and those with responsibilities for undertaking activities covered by the legislation, including optimising and justifying medical exposures and administering ionising radiation.

While overall the Regulations broadly reflect existing provisions, they also introduce additional requirements which act to enhance protection for those undergoing medical exposures:

• the Regulations expand requirements for reporting of accidental or unintended exposures to ionising radiation to include doses that are less than intended
• the Regulations formalise the recognition of medical physics experts (MPEs)

the Regulations introduce requirements for licensing of the administration of radioactive substances to persons for diagnosis, treatment or research.

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