- HSE inspecting compliance under Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017.
- Regulator launches video explaining inspection guidance.
- Inspections taking place across Great Britain.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is conducting an inspection campaign targeting chiropractors who use radiation generators.
The regulator’s inspections will assess dutyholders’ compliance with the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17), which protect employees and other persons from occupational radiation exposure.
To help dutyholders understand the requirements of an inspection, the HSE has created an online video outlining the expectations of the visit and the areas inspectors will be assessing compliance on, including:
- management of radiation protection
- radiation risk assessment
- engineering controls and maintenance
- contingency plans
- training records
- designation and monitoring of controlled areas
- local rules and radiation protection supervisors
- personal dosimetry
All employers with staff operating radiation generators must register with HSE through the online RADAN system.
Duncan Smith, Head of the Health and Safety Executive’s Health Unit, said: “The use of radiology and radiography by chiropractors, means that medical ionising radiation is employed widely across the industry. To ensure the safety of staff and members of the public we will be conducting inspections throughout January until the end of March.
“Our inspections will examine construction, warning devices, safety features and any mobile shielding used. Employers should prepare relevant records, Radiation Protection Adviser reports, critical examination reports and training certificates for review, while operators may be asked to demonstrate equipment and warning systems.
“We understand that many dutyholders will not have received a visit from HSE before, so to help explain the process we have created a new video explaining our expectations and the employer’s obligations.”
HSE’s video on what to expect from an inspection:
Ahead of an inspection HSE inspectors will contact registered employers in advance to arrange a mutually convenient inspection time and to provide documentation ahead of the visit. This ensures the radiation responsible person is present, equipment is available for inspection, and disruption to services is minimised and inspectors have had the chance to review documents before arriving on site.
Following an inspection, HSE will provide a summary of compliance standards found, any material breaches identified, and whether enforcement action will be taken. Where material breaches of the law are identified, HSE has a range of proportionate enforcement options available, from verbal advice through to prosecution.
The Approved Code of Practice and guidance for working with ionising radiation is freely available for dutyholders on HSE’s website.
Notes to editors:
- The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
- On 1 January 2018, Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 (IRR17) came into force and replaced Regulations IRR99.
- These regulations are concerned the ensuring the safety of staff and members of the public. The safety of patients has separate regulations regarding their safety.
Follow this news feed: HSE