Work with radionuclides: whether to notify or register

Follow the steps below to determine if you must notify or apply for a registration for work you carry out with:

1. Artificial radionuclides or naturally occurring radionuclides which are processed for their radioactive, fissile or fertile properties
2. Naturally occurring radionuclides which are not processed for their radioactive, fissile or fertile properties

In most cases you will need to apply for a registration for this work.

How to notify or apply

a. Work with artificial radionuclides or naturally occurring radionuclides processed for their radioactive, fissile or fertile properties

You will need to compare the activity concentration values and activity values of your work with the table values in Schedule 7, Part 1 of the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 on the legislation.gov.uk website.

Step 1

Are activity concentration values (Bq/g), level with or below values in column 2, for any amount of material?

• If yes, the concentration levels are level with or below the values in column 2, you do not need to notify or register this work activity with HSE.
• If no, the concentration levels are above the values in column 2, go to the next step.

Step 2

Are activity values (Bq), level with or below the values in column 3 for any amount of material?

• If yes, the activity values are level with or below the values in column 3, you do not need to notify or register this work activity with HSE.
• If no, the activity values are above the values in column 3, go to the next step.

Step 3

Is the amount of radioactive material 1000kg or less?

• If yes, it is 1000kg or less, go to the next step.
• If no, it is more than 1000kg, register the work activity with HSE

Step 4 

Are activity concentration values (Bq/g) level with or below the valuers in column 4?

• If yes, they are level with or below the values in column 4, notify HSE of the work activity.
• If no, they are above the values in column 4, register the work activity with HSE.

End of steps

b. Work with naturally occurring radionuclides which are not processed for their radioactive, fissile or fertile properties

You will need to compare the activity concentration values and activity values of your work with the table values in Schedule 7, Part 2 of the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 on the legislation.gov.uk website.

Step 1

Are activity concentration values (Bq/g) level with or below the values in column 2 for any amount of material?

• If yes, the concentration levels are level with or below the values in column 2, you do not need to notify or register this work activity with HSE.
• If no, the concentration levels are above the values in column 2, go to the next step.

Step 2

Are activity values (Bq), level with or below the values in column 3 for any amount of material?

• If yes, the activity values are level with or below the values in column 3, you do not need to notify or register this work activity with HSE.
• If no, the activity values are above the values in column 3, go to the next step. 

Step 3 

Is the amount of radioactive material 1000kg or less?

• If yes, it is 1000kg or less, go to the next step.
• If no, it is more than 1000kg, register the work activity with HSE. 

Step 4

Are activity concentration values (Bq/g) level with or below the values in column 4?

• If yes, they are level with or below the values in column 4, you must notify HSE of the work activity.
• If no, they are above the values in column 4, register the work activity with HSE.

End of steps