Ionising Radiation Safety and Compliance Policy

Purpose

To identify and manage the risks of ionising radiation sources, and to provide a safe environment, in compliance with the Radiation Safety Act 2016.

Organisational scope

The policy applies to all radiation sources managed, controlled, owned or possessed by the University, used by University staff or students, or located on University premises.

Sources owned elsewhere, but located on university property and  used by university staff or students must be included on a university source licence and a Radiation Safety Plan.

When sources are licensed, managed and controlled by another entity, and located on their premises, but used by university staff or students, the university staff or students must be authorised by the other source license holder and comply with their Radiation Safety Plan.

Sources owned by the university but managed and controlled by another entity must be included on their source licence.

Definitions

Irradiating apparatus

Electrical equipment that is designed to generate ionising radiation such as X-rays, neutrons, electrons, or other charged particles; or produces ionising radiation as a by product resulting in a dose equivalent rate of or exceeding 1 micro Sievert per hour at a point 0.1 metres from any accessible surface and has a maximum energy of or exceeding 5 kiloelectronvolts.

Radiation

Ionising radiation in the form of particles or waves emitted from a radioactive material or an irradiating apparatus, or both.

Radioactive material

Any material that spontaneously emits ionising radiation, including any naturally occurring radioactive material or any nuclear material.

Radiation source

Radioactive material to which the Radiation Safety Act 2016 applies or an irradiating apparatus.

Source licence

A licence described in section 17, Radiation Safety Act 2016.  A source licence authorises a person to manage and control a radiation source regardless of whether the person owns or has physical possession of the radiation source.

Use Licence

A licence granted under section 22, Radiation Safety Act 2016.

Vault

Health, Safety and Wellbeing management tool used by the University to record, measure, and report incidents, near-misses and hazards.

Content

1. Principles

1. Radiation sources are subject to the Radiation Safety Act 2016.
2. Compliance is managed centrally through Health, Safety and Wellbeing.
3. All the required regulatory compliance documentation shall be held in the Vault risk management system. This will include:
   1. Identity, location and purpose of all radiation sources in the possession or under the control of the University and its staff.
   2. Radiation Safety Plans for all activities and sources.
   3. Authorised Users of radiation sources by:
      • Regulation or use licence, or written protocol
      • Radiation Safety Plan, and
      • source licence
   4. User, authorisation, training and renewal records.
4. All applications for the use of radiation sources must be lodged with Health, Safety and Wellbeing allowing at least one month for processing.

2. Process for source licensing

1. All University radiation sources will be registered under a University source licence.
2. The University is required to hold a number of source licences, but a separate licence for every source or user is not required.
3. The University will hold all source licences and contact with the Radiation Safety Advisor is through Health, Safety and Wellbeing.
4. The Radiation Safety Advisor, Health, Safety and Wellbeing, must be consulted and approve the purchase of any new radiation source. Some sources or practices will require users to hold use licences.

3. Monitoring and auditing

1. Health, Safety and Wellbeing are responsible for the development and implementation of the auditing programme for monitoring compliance with this policy and the Radiation Safety Act 2016.
2. All regulatory inspections will be conducted via Health, Safety and Wellbeing.
3. Reports on compliance and non-compliances will be provided to the Senior Leadership Team and the Health and Safety Critical Risk Committee.

Related policies, procedures and forms

University of Otago documentation:

• Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy
• Health, Safety and Wellbeing: Radiation safety webpage
• The Tertiary and International Learners Code of Practice

Contact for further information

If you have any queries regarding the content of this policy, procedure or guideline or need further clarification, contact:

Radiation Safety Adviser
Email RSA@otago.ac.nz