The Ionising Radiations Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017

Regulations 5(1), 6(2)and 14(3)

SCHEDULE 1 Work not required to be notified under regulation 5

1.  Work with ionising radiation is not required to be notified in accordance with regulation 5 when the only such work being carried out is in one or more of the following categories—

(a) where the concentration of activity per unit mass of a radioactive substance does not exceed the concentration specified in column 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 7 (for artificial radionuclides and naturally occurring radionuclides which are processed for their radioactive, fissile or fertile properties) or column 2 of Part 2 of Schedule 7 (for naturally occurring radionuclides which are not processed for their radioactive, fissile or fertile properties);

(b) where the quantity of radioactive substance involved does not exceed the quantity specified in column 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 7 (for artificial radionuclides and naturally occurring radionuclides which are processed for their radioactive, fissile or fertile properties) or column 3 of Part 2 of Schedule 7 (for naturally occurring radionuclides which are not processed for their radioactive, fissile or fertile properties);

(c) where the concentration of activity per unit mass or quantity of a radioactive substance does not exceed values which may be approved by the Executive for specific types of work and where such work satisfies the exemption criteria set out in paragraphs 2 and 3 below;

(d) where apparatus contains radioactive substances in a quantity exceeding the values specified in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) provided that—

(i) the apparatus is of a type approved—

(aa) by the Executive; or

(bb) by the Great Britain Executive in accordance with paragraph 1(d) of Schedule 1 to the Great Britain Regulations;

(ii) the apparatus is constructed in the form of a sealed source;

(iii) the apparatus does not under normal operating conditions cause a dose rate of more that 1 µSvh^-1 at a distance of 0.1m from any accessible surface; and

(iv) conditions for the disposal of the apparatus have been specified by the chief inspector;

(e) the operation of any electrical apparatus to which these Regulations apply other than apparatus referred to in sub-paragraph (f) provided that—

(i) the apparatus is of a type approved—

(aa) by the Executive; or

(bb) by the Great Britain Executive in accordance with paragraph 1(e) of Schedule 1 to the Great Britain Regulations; and

(ii) the apparatus does not under normal operating conditions cause a dose rate of more than 1 µSvh^-1 at a distance of 0.1m from any accessible surface;

(f) the operation of—

(i) any cathode ray tube intended for the display of visual images; or

(ii) any other electrical apparatus operating at a potential difference not exceeding 30kV,

provided that the operation of the tube or apparatus does not under normal operating conditions cause a dose rate of more than 1 µSvh^-1 at a distance of 0.1m from any accessible surface; or

(g) where the work involves contaminated material resulting from authorised releases which the chief inspector has declared not to be subject to further control.

2.  The criteria for the exemption from notification of work with ionising radiation are as follows:

(a) the radiological risks to individuals caused by such work are sufficiently low, as to be of no regulatory concern;

(b) work of such type has been found to be justified; and

(c) such work is inherently safe.

3.  Work with ionising radiation only meets the requirements of paragraph 2(a) if—

(a) in relation to an employee, the effective dose caused by such work does not exceed 1 mSv in a calendar year; and

(b) in relation to any other person, the following requirements are met in all circumstances where it is reasonably practicable to do so—

(i) the effective dose caused by such work from radionuclides which are not naturally occurring radionuclides does not exceed 10 µSv in a calendar year; and

(ii) the effective dose caused by such work from naturally occurring radionuclides does not exceed 1 mSv in a calendar year.

4.  In paragraph 2(b), “found to be justified” has the meaning given by regulation 4(4) of the Justification of Practices Involving Ionising Radiation Regulations 2004(1).

5.  In this Schedule, “the chief inspector” has the meaning assigned to it by section 47(1) of the Radioactive Substances Act 1993(2).

(1)

S.I. 2004/1769, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations

(2)

1993 c.12