The Ionising Radiations Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017

PART 3 N.I. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF RADIATION PROTECTION

Radiation protection adviser N.I.

14.—(1) Subject to paragraph (3), every employer engaged in work with ionising radiation shall consult such suitable radiation protection advisers as are necessary for the purpose of advising the employer on the observance of these Regulations and shall, in any event, consult one or more suitable radiation protection advisers with regard to the matters set out in Schedule 4.

(2) Where an employer consults a radiation protection adviser pursuant to the requirements of paragraph (1) (other than in respect of the observance of that paragraph), the employer shall appoint that radiation protection adviser in writing and shall include in that appointment the scope of the advice which the radiation protection adviser is required to give.

(3) Nothing in paragraph (1) requires an employer to consult a radiation protection adviser where the only work with ionising radiation undertaken by that employer is work specified in Schedule 1.

(4) The employer shall provide any radiation protection adviser appointed by it with adequate information and facilities for the performance of the radiation protection adviser's functions arising from their consultation or appointment under this regulation.

Information, instruction and training N.I.

15.—(1) Every employer shall ensure that—

(a) those of its employees who are engaged in work with ionising radiation are given appropriate training in the field of radiation protection and receive such information and instruction as is suitable and sufficient for them to know—

(i) the risks to health created by exposure to ionising radiation as a result of their work;

(ii) the general and specific radiation protection procedures and precautions which should be taken in connection with the work with ionising radiation to which they may be assigned; and

(iii) the importance of complying with the medical, technical and administrative requirements of these Regulations;

(b) adequate information is given to other persons who are directly concerned with the work with ionising radiation carried on by the employer to ensure their health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable;

(c) its female employees who are engaged in work with ionising radiation are informed of the possible risk arising from ionising radiation to the foetus and to a nursing infant and of the importance of their informing their employer in writing as soon as possible—

(i) after becoming aware of their pregnancy; or

(ii) if they intend to breast feed an infant;

(d) any employees engaged in work in a controlled area (as designated under regulation 17) are given specific training in connection with the characteristics of the workplace and the activities within it; and

(e) the giving of training and information under this regulation is repeated at appropriate intervals and documented by the employer.

(2) In addition to the requirements in paragraph (1), every employer who is engaged in work with ionising radiation involving a high-activity sealed source shall ensure that the information and training given to employees involved in such work includes—

(a) specific requirements for the safe management and control of high-activity sealed sources for the purpose of preparing such employees for any events which may affect their radiation protection;

(b) particular emphasis on the necessary safety requirements in connection with high-activity sealed sources; and

(c) specific information on the possible consequences of the loss of adequate control of high-activity sealed sources.

Co-operation between employers N.I.

16.  Where work with ionising radiation undertaken by one employer is likely to give rise to the exposure to ionising radiation of the employee of another employer, the employers concerned shall co-operate by the exchange of information or otherwise to the extent necessary to ensure that each such employer—

(a) has access to information on the possible exposure of their employees to ionising radiation; and

(b) is enabled to comply with the requirements of these Regulations in so far as their ability to comply depends upon such co-operation.