Legal Obligation to Appoint an RPA

Under Regulation 33 of the Radiological Protection Act, 1991 (Ionising Radiation) Regulations, 2019 there is a legal requirement for all businesses working with sources of ionising radiation or X-ray equipment to have arrangements in place for consultation with a ‘Radiation Protection Adviser’ (RPA). To obtain a quotation for RPA services please e-mail elaine@radiationsafety.ie

The Radiation Protection Advisor must be a qualified expert who has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency – (EPA) as being a competent person to undertake this role.

They must be in possession of a valid Certificate of Competence issued by the EPA.

The Role of the Radiation Protection Adviser

The Radiation Protection Adviser has a different, separate and independent role to the company Radiation Protection Officer. The Radiation Protection Adviser is an independent ‘qualified expert’ who will assist persons working with sources of ionising radiation to comply with the regulatory requirements and offer on-going technical advice and guidance to ensure that the standards of radiological protection as required by law are effectively implemented.

While the Radiation Protection Adviser is likely to provide guidance on many areas of radiological protection, the legislation specifically states that the RPA must be consulted on the following matters:

  • The examination and testing of protective devices and measuring instruments.
  • The prior critical examination of plans for installations from the point of view of radiation protection.
  • The acceptance into service of new or modified sources from the point of view of radiation protection.
  • The regular checking of the effectiveness of protective devices and techniques.
  • The regular calibration of measuring instruments and the regular checking that they are serviceable and correctly used.

Radiation Protection Adviser Annual Contracts

Annual contracts are provided to all clients which can include the following services:

  • Annual on-site radiation safety audit to identify any areas of non-compliance and to provide advice and guidance with regard to complying with EPA licence or registration conditions, radiation safety procedures, and all relevant legislative requirements.
  • Provision of a confidential annual detailed written audit report, outlining areas of compliance, non-compliance and recommendations / advice for improvements where required.
  • Assistance in the review / updating of radiation safety procedures and risk assessments.
  • Annual retention service to allow for on-going advice and guidance throughout the year by telephone or e-mail.
  • Contracts will vary depending on the client’s needs and no contract is considered too large or too small. Once the client’s needs are identified an RPA contract proposal is issued to the client. This contract can be reviewed, renewed and amended if necessary as time goes on.
Radiation Safety RPA Services

Additional services that clients may wish / need to include in their annual RPA contract

Leak Testing of Sealed Sources of Ionising Radiation

Leak tests are required by law for all sealed sources of Ionising Radiation, and must be undertaken at least once every 2 years. Radiation Safety Ireland can undertake any leak tests required and provide a leak test certificate.

Radiochemical Analysis of Radioactive Materials

Occasionally it may be necessary to analyse radioactive substances to determine the type, amount (activity), and concentration (specific activity) of radionuclides present in a material. This may be necessary to determine if a substance needs to be included on your EPA licence or for example to make decisions with regard to dose and exposure, or with regard to responsible waste management, control and disposal.

We can arrange to take samples of materials and have them analysed appropriately (for example by gamma spectrometry or liquid scintillation counting), and provide a report outlining the results of analysis and providing relevant recommendations and guidance.

Radiation Dose Rate Measurements and Surveys

Radiation dose rate surveys may be required where high energy sealed sources of ionising radiation or x-rays are in use to ensure that adequate shielding and control measures are in place to protect employees, visitors or members of the public. Radiation Safety Ireland can undertake these surveys and provide reports with results and relevant advice and guidance.

About Radiation Safety Ireland

Development of Emergency Response Plans

Regulation 58 of the Radiological Protection Act, 1991 (Ionising Radiation) Regulations, 2019 requires that emergency response plans must be compiled to assess the possibility of a radiological emergency resulting from practices undertaken, to evaluate the likely distribution of radioactive substances in the event of a radiological emergency and to ensure that appropriate control measures are in place to deal with the various type of emergency that might reasonably occur.

Radiation Safety Ireland can prepare such a detailed  Emergency Response  Plan for clients and submit same to the EPA, following discussion and collaboration with various emergency services where necessary.

Risk Assessments & Radiation Safety Procedures

Regulations 31 and 32  of the Radiological Protection Act, 1991 (Ionising Radiation) Regulations, 2019, requires  that the undertaking shall make an assessment of the risks to any workers or member of the public for the purposes of identifying the protective measures needed to restrict exposure to ionising radiation.  Radiation Safety Procedures must be prepared in consultation with the Radiation Protection Adviser to identify the manner in which the safety health and welfare of workers will be secured for work involving ionising radiation.

Risk assessments are required for all new work activities with ionising radiation, or where there are changes in the way an undertaking performs their activities that may impact on radiological safety.

Radiation Safety Procedures and Radiation Risk Assessments must be prepared and reviewed on an ongoing basis in consultation with your Radiation Protection Adviser.

Radiation Contamination Monitoring

Contamination monitoring can be undertaken on a routine scheduled basis if required, or following an incident for example an accident or spillage. Reports are provided following contamination monitoring outlining the results of monitoring and their significance with regard to regulatory compliance.

Laboratory Clearance Surveys and Certification

Where unsealed radionuclide laboratory facilities are being vacated, sold or undergoing a change of use, a laboratory clearance survey should be undertaken to ensure that all radionuclide source and waste materials have been removed and dealt with appropriately. Such surveys also ensure that no radioactive contamination is evident on any surface in the laboratory, for example, walls, floors, benching, fume cupboards etc. Radiation Safety Ireland can undertake such a survey and provide a Laboratory Clearance Certificate.

Radiation Safety RPA Services

Radiation Protection Adviser Services

The Radiological Protection Act, 1991 (Ionising Radiation) Regulations, 2019 (SI 30 of 2019) requires that all businesses working with sources of ionising radiation have arrangements in place for consultation with a 'Radiation Protection Adviser' on certain matters.

The Radiation Protection Adviser must be a qualified expert who has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as being a competent person to undertake this role. They must be in possession of a valid Certificate of Competence by the EPA.

Radiation Safety Ireland provide a full Radiation Protection Adviser service to assist persons working with sources of ionising radiation to comply with this legislation. Ongoing technical advice and guidance as well as a range of practical services can be provided as follows:

  • Radiation Protection Adviser Service
  • Radiation Compliance Audits
  • Radiation Safety Procedures and Radiation Risk Assessments
  • Radiation Dose Rate Measurements and Surveys
  • Leak Testing of Sealed Sources
  • Contamination Monitoring
  • Radiochemical Analysis of Radioactive Materials
  • Lab and Radioactive Waste Clearance Surveys and Certification
  • Development of Emergency Intervention Plans

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Radiation Protection Training Services

There is a legal requirement under the Radiological Protection Act 1991 (Ionising Radiation) Regulations 2019 for radiation protection training for all persons who work with sources of ionising radiation or X-ray equipment. Radiation Safety Ireland is the leading provider of radiation protection training services in Ireland and offers a wide range of training courses to fulfil client needs. Courses can be provided in house on the client’s site, remotely via Microsoft Teams or online at a time and date that suits you, offering complete flexibility over how and when the training is undertaken.

Radiation Safety Training

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Radiation Protection Training Courses include

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