Notification of work with ionising radiations

Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 – Regulation 6

How to notify HSE

Notification to HSE can be made:

• By e-mail to: irrnot@hse.gsi.gov.uk
• In writing to: HSE, Ionising Radiations Notifications, Phoenix House, 23-25 Cantelupe Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 3BE

When to notify HSE

Notifications should be sent in order to arrive at least 28 days prior to the employer commencing the work with ionising radiations for the first time. Suppliers of radiation equipment should inform their customers of this requirement well in advance of this period. (In very unusual circumstances, for example for emergency reasons, where employers are unable to comply with the 28 days, the HSE may agree to accept shorter notification period.)

Radon and NORM: In the case of radon levels in the workplace and naturally occurring radioactive materials it may not be possible to provide 28 days notice and notification should be made forthwith.

Nursing homes etc: In the case of patients who have been administered a radioactive material medicinal product and are staying in a nursing home for example, it is sufficient if notification is made by the home as soon as practicable before the first instance of a patient arriving there.

What to notify HSE

IRR99 Schedule 2 specifies the following particulars required that should be included in the email/ letter. (Note: HSE does not provide a form for these notifications.)

• the name and address of the employer and a contact telephone or fax number or electronic mail address;
• the address of the premises where or from where the work activity is to be carried out and a telephone or fax number or electronic mail address at such premises;
• the nature of the business of the employer;
• into which of the following categories the source or sources of ionising radiation fall:
  • sealed source,
  • unsealed radioactive substance,
  • electrical equipment,
  • an atmosphere containing the short-lived daughters of radon 222;
• whether or not any source is to be used at premises other than the address given at sub-paragraph (b) above; and
• dates of notification and commencement of the work activity.

It is also useful if a short paragraph summarising the work intended to be undertaken with ionising radiation is provided.

Exemptions to the notification requirement

The following types of work, premises and employers are not subject to notification:

• It is not necessary to repeat a notification properly made to the HSE under the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985 (which preceded IRR99).
• Work specified in Schedule 1 of IRR99 (essentially very low quantities or concentrations as specified in IRR99 Schedule 8, cathode ray tubes for display of visual images, and other electrical apparatus operating at less than 30 kV);
• Work carried out on a nuclear licensed site; and
• Work carried out on a premises under the control of the Secretary of State for Defence or work carried out by visiting forces.

Notification of material changes in the work

Radiation employers need to tell HSE (using the same contact details as above) when the particulars previously notified are no longer correct, such as: if the employer’s particulars or particulars of the premises change, if the category of source changes, if it is decided to use a source at a different premises. For example, if the original notification covered the use of an X-ray set for veterinary purposes and it was decided to start using radioactive substances as well, this change would need to be notified.

Notifications for site radiography

Where HSE receives a notification from an employer intending to commence site radiography work then HSE will issue the employer with further notification requirements that require additional notifications to be submitted at least 7 days prior to each job taking place. 7-day site radiography notifications are then sent by email, optional IRR3 form avaialble, to: siteradnot@hse.gsi.gov.uk

Further information

Contact HSE Infoline: Tel 0845 345 0055, e-mail hse.infoline@connaught.plc.uk. (Any enquiry received by HSE Infoline is treated in confidence.)