Radiation Safety Legislation & Practice
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary goal of the Ionising Radiations (Medical Exposures) Regulations 2017?

  • To restrict the use of non-ionising radiation
  • To protect patients from unnecessary exposure (correct)
  • To ensure staff are exposed to higher radiation levels
  • To eliminate all uses of ionising radiation

    • Which body produces the framework for radiation legislation that the UK government adopts?

  • World Health Organization
  • European Union Court of Justice
  • Nuclear Regulatory Commission
  • International Commission on Radiological Protection (correct)

    • What are the three principles of radiation protection for practices as described by the ICRP?

  • Comparison, Minimisation, Justification
  • Exposure, Assessment, Education
  • Licensing, Inspection, Enforcement
  • Justification, Optimization, Limitation (correct)

    • What distinguishes 'practices' from 'interventions' in terms of radiation exposure?

    <p>Practices involve a deliberate use of ionizing radiation while interventions are for emergency situations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the ICRP 103 (2007) recommendations?

    <p>They serve as the foundation for EU safety standards and UK laws</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the dose limit for a foetus, even if the pregnant individual is a radiation worker?

    <p>1 mSv/y</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of device is typically used for personal monitoring of radiation exposure?

    <p>TLDs (Thermo-luminescent dosemeters)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What must a pregnant staff member or student do regarding their status?

    <p>Notify their employer in writing as soon as possible</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How frequently are TLDs typically replaced?

    <p>Every month to two months</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does ALARA stand for in the context of radiation exposure?

    <p>As Low As Reasonably Achievable</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of dosimeter provides real-time monitoring of radiation doses?

    <p>Electronic dosemeter</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which organization enforces the Ionising Radiations Regulations (IRR) 2017?

    <p>Health &amp; Safety Executive</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of local rules in radiation areas?

    <p>To identify instructions that restrict exposure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT included in the Ionising Radiations Regulations (IRR) 2017?

    <p>Recommendations for personal radiation monitoring</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should individuals do before working in any radiation area?

    <p>Read and sign the local rules</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one way to protect the public from radiation in a hospital environment?

    <p>Control access to radiation areas</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one requirement employers must fulfill regarding radiation exposure for staff?

    <p>Reduce radiation doses as much as possible</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the Approved Code of Practice, L121?

    <p>It provides guidance on legal regulations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should controlled areas where radiation exposure exceeds 6mSv/yr include?

    <p>Signage to demarcate the area</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the approximate threshold for the threshold TLD?

    <p>0.1 mSv</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of radiation is primarily blocked by lead shielding in hospital walls?

    <p>Gamma rays</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a dose limit for non-classified workers?

    <p>6mSv/y</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might some healthcare workers resist classification as classified workers?

    <p>They believe classification brings additional responsibilities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When calculating shielding requirements, which factor is NOT essential?

    <p>The color of the X-ray machine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What replaced the existing IRR85 and IRR99 regulations?

    <p>IRR17</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major reason for emphasizing shielding in interventional radiology?

    <p>Radiation doses can be high</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the average annual radiation dose for medical radiation workers in the UK?

    <p>0.14mSv/y</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which organ type has a specific dose limit averaged over 1cm²?

    <p>Skin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What additional requirement do classified workers face?

    <p>Stricter health assessments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is primarily responsible for ensuring compliance with IRR17?

    <p>The Radiation Protection Adviser</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which method is most effective in reducing the induction of stochastic effects in radiation exposure?

    <p>Applying ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following individuals typically acts as a Radiation Protection Adviser?

    <p>Clinical Scientist</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the inverse square law, how does the radiation dose vary with distance?

    <p>Inversely to the distance squared</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of materials are considered best for radiation shielding?

    <p>Dense materials with high atomic numbers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the recommended approach when working in proximity to a radiation source?

    <p>Maintain the distance as far as reasonably practicable</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who besides the employer has responsibilities under the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IRMER17)?

    <p>Referrers, operators, and practitioners</p> Signup and view all the answers

    To ensure public safety in a waiting area near an X-ray room, what should be prioritized?

    <p>Restricting access to unauthorized personnel</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the primary objectives of the radiation safety module?

    <p>Gaining an understanding of the need for radiation protection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which principle is NOT part of the basic principles of radiation safety?

    <p>Maximization of dose limits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What legal aspect is essential for understanding radiation safety in the UK?

    <p>The legal basis for radiation protection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the focus of the on-campus simulations in this radiation safety module?

    <p>Practicing skills relevant to radiation protection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a method of personal radiation safety?

    <p>Ignoring dose limits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do radiation dose limits play in safety practices?

    <p>They establish guidelines for safe radiation exposure levels.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should students develop awareness of in terms of local safety rules?

    <p>Content and application of local rules</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the timeline for the module, when is the MCQ exam scheduled?

    <p>November</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which seminar focuses on the assessment skills related to radiation safety?

    <p>Seminar 3</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is emphasized as a critical skill for module completion?

    <p>Radiation protection in context</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Radiation Safety Legislation & Practice

    • The module covers radiation safety legislation and practice.
    • The module timeline for 2024-25 includes lectures, seminars, assessments, and an MCQ exam scheduled throughout the academic year.
    • Demonstrate principles of radiation protection related to diagnostic imaging.
    • Recognise the significance of ionizing radiation regulations and radiographer responsibilities.
    • Today's learning outcomes include understanding the need for radiation protection, learning the legal basis for radiation protection in the UK, and learning the three basic principles of radiation safety and their specific methods.

    Module Learning Objectives

    • Demonstrate the principles of radiation protection in a diagnostic imaging environment.
    • Understand the importance of ionizing radiation regulations.
    • Recognize radiographers' responsibilities in implementing radiation safety measures.

    Today's Learning Outcomes

    • Understanding the need for radiation protection.
    • Appreciating the legal basis for radiation protection in the UK.
    • Learning the three basic principles of radiation safety.

    Basic Principles of Radiation Protection

    • Two types of exposure are described by ICRP: practices (deliberate use of ionizing radiation) and interventions (emergency situations).
    • The three principles for radiation practices are justification, optimization, and limitation.

    Justification

    • Is the use of radiation needed?
    • Is there a less hazardous technique available?

    Optimization

    • Optimizing radiation use while achieving the required objective and keeping radiation doses as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) or reasonably practicable (ALARP).

    Limitation

    • Setting limits on acceptable radiation exposure levels.
    • These limits are legally regulated.

    IRR17

    • The Ionising Radiations Regulations (IRR) 2017 covers occupational and public radiation protection.
    • The IRR17 has requirements for employers and employees working with ionizing radiation (e.g., radiation protection advisors and supervisors, and health and safety officers).
    • Based on EU Basic Safety Standards, replacing IRR85 and IRR99.
    • Came fully into effect in 01/01/18, enforced by Health & Safety Executive.

    IRR17 Regulations

    • IRR 17 has full legal status.
    • It includes the Approved Code of Practice (L121), guidance, not law but a legally-backed guideline.
    • Both the Regulations and Code of Practice are available for free download from the HSE website.

    Protecting the Public

    • How can we protect the public from radiation in a hospital environment?
    • Methods include controlled access, room shielding (lead shielding built into walls, ceilings and doors)..

    Calculation of Shielding Requirements

    • Distance to each barrier.
    • Presence of individuals beyond the barriers.
    • Frequency and duration of X-ray procedures.
    • Types of radiation (primary or scattered).

    Staff Protection

    • Methods of protecting staff from radiation, including restriction of exposure, adequate shielding, appropriate positioning of staff during exposures, positioning of the main isolator, and beam directions.
    • Hierarchy of controls includes eliminating, substituting for, engineering, and administrative controls, as well as personal protective equipment (PPE).

    Controlled Areas

    • Controlled areas are demarcated and regulated to limit exceeding 6mSv/y radiation exposure.
    • Signage, including a fail-safe, two-bulb, two-stage warning light is required.

    Dose Limitation

    • Classified workers (e.g., those likely to exceed 6mSv/y exposure) have higher limits compared to non-classified workers.
    • Dose limits, including skin and eye dose limits, are prescribed.
    • Pregnant employees or students must notify their employers in writing.
    • Fetal exposure also has dose limits.

    Personal Monitoring

    • Personal monitoring is required to demonstrate doses to staff members are ALARP.
    • Monitoring methods include whole-body dosimeters (worn between waist and chest), eye dosimeters (worn on protective glasses), and finger dosimeters (worn at the base of the finger).
    • TLDs (Thermo-luminescent dosemeters) are the most common type of passive dosimeter.
    • Some electronic dosemeters (e.g., Mirion Instadose) allow real-time monitoring.

    Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

    • A range of PPE is often needed, and suitable PPE is tailored to the risks.
    • PPE should be properly sized to provide adequate protection.

    Local Rules

    • Local rules provide specific instructions for working practices to control exposure in regulated areas.
    • Individuals must sign to acknowledge understanding and commitment to rules.

    Need for Regulations

    • The regulations are essential to prevent deterministic effects (predictable effects) by keeping radiation doses below threshold levels and to reduce the likelihood of stochastic effects (unpredictable effects).

    Responsibilities

    • The Ionizing Radiations Regulations (IRR17) places most responsibility on employers.

    RPA & RPS

    • The Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) is a qualified expert advising the employer.
    • The Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS) secures compliance with local rules in their department.

    Core Principles

    • Time, Distance, and Shielding are essential for radiation protection.

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    Radiation Safety - Legislation & Practice PDF

    Description

    This quiz covers the principles of radiation safety legislation and practice. Focused on understanding ionizing radiation regulations and the responsibilities of radiographers in diagnostic imaging. Prepare for the MCQ exam with essential concepts and legal frameworks related to radiation protection.

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