This page provides resources and links to websites relating to ionising and non-ionising radiation. HSE is not responsible for and cannot guarantee the accuracy of information on sites that it does not manage and a hyperlink does not mean HSE endorses the linked site.
Ionising radiation
Regulations
- Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017. Approved Code of Practice
- Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2019. Approved Code of Practice
Ionising Radiation Protection Series information sheets
- No. 1 - Industrial radiography - managing radiation risks
- No. 6 - Radiation protection supervisors
- No. 8 - Control of radioactive substances
Research reports
- Dose constraints for comforters and carers - research report
- Information to accompany patients undergoing nuclear medicine procedures – research report
- Doses to the embryo/foetus and neonate from intakes of radionuclides by the mother – research report
Other core guidance and information
- Ionising radiation: protecting workers and others
- Working safely with ionising radiation for breastfeeding or expectant mothersRadon in the workplace
- Appropriate designation of classified persons
- Memorandum of understanding between the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive in relation to the regulation of radioactive substances at non-nuclear sites
Contacts and organisations
The UK Health Security Agency provides detailed information on radiation.
Local authorities will be responsible for the enforcement of any retail outlet where small amounts of ionising radiation may be encountered (such as repairs of luminised watches).
- The Office for Nuclear Regulation is responsible for the enforcement of nuclear sites.
- HSE for Northern Ireland is the lead body responsible for the promotion and enforcement of health and safety at work standards in Northern Ireland
- Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is responsible for regulating the control of radioactive substances.
- The Environment Agency enforces the requirements relating to the control of radioactive substances in England and Wales.
- The Scottish Environment Protection Agency enforces the requirements relating to the control of radioactive substances in Scotland.
- Environment and Heritage Service, Northern Ireland enforced the requirements relating to the control of radioactive substances in Northern Ireland.
- Department of Health is concerned with the protection of patients undergoing medical exposure to ionising radiation in England.
- The Scottish Executive is concerned with the protection of patients undergoing medical exposure to ionising radiation in Scotland.
- Welsh Assembly Government is concerned with the protection of patients undergoing medical exposure to ionising radiation in Wales.
- Committee on medical aspects of radiation in the environment (COMARE)
- The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) is a well-established non-governmental scientific organisation which has published recommendations for radiation protection for more than 50 years. ICRP has published recommendations on an agreed framework of radiation protection. These are used as a basis for European Directives and their implementation into national legislation.
- Health Protection Agency, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Radiation Protection Division (formerly the National Radiological Protection Board [NRPB]) conducts research and provides advice and services for protection against ionising and non-ionising radiations.
Non-ionising radiation
Resources
- A guide to the Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations 2016
- EMF exemption certificate
- The Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations 2016
- Notify HSE
- OTHEA incident database
- Keep Your Top On
- Reducing health risks from the use of ultraviolet (UV) tanning equipment
- UV tanning equipment
- The safety of laser lighting displays
Research
Research reports on non-ionising radiation
International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection
The International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) is a charitable body of independent scientific experts established by the International Radiation Protection Association.
Their principal aim is to provide information and advice on the potential health hazard of exposure to non-ionising radiation including electromagnetic fields (EMFs).
ICNIRP guidelines on exposure to EMFs
ICNIRP has developed guidelines providing protection against all known health effects from EMFs. These guidelines are the result of an extensive process of expert review of the scientific literature and consultation with other experts and professional bodies.
You can find the latest guidelines and other information on the ICNIRP website.
More information and standards on electromagnetic fields
- Council Recommendation of 12 July 1999 on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz)
- MRI equipment in clinical use MHRA 2014
- BS EN 50527-2-1:2011 - Procedure for the assessment of the exposure to electromagnetic fields of workers bearing active implantable medical devices. Specific assessment for workers with cardiac pacemakers
- BS EN 50527-1:2010 - Procedure for the assessment of the exposure to electromagnetic fields of workers bearing active implantable medical devices.
Contacts and organisations
- Public Health England
- The Department of Health (mobile phones)
- The Mobile Telecommunications Health Research Programme
- Ofcom (The Radiocommunications Agency)
- World Health Organisation
- Institute of Occupational Health, Birmingham