Radiation Protection
The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17) manages the exposure of radiation to workers and the public. This not only includes work with radioactive materials but also the use of X-ray equipment. For more information on IRR17, visit the Health and Safety Executive's Approved Code of Practice for practical guidance on the application of this legislation.
The ultimate responsibility for radiological protection within the University lies with the Office of the Principal.
The University has appointed a qualified and accredited Radiation Protection Adviser (URPA) as required under IRR17, for providing competent radiation protection advice and guidance to the University and the Office of the Principal. A Radioactive Waste Adviser (URWA) has also been appointed for consultation on managing radioactive substances at the University and ensuring compliance.
The day-to-day responsibility for radiation protection at the University has been delegated by the Head of EHSS to the appointed University Radiation Protection Officer (URPO).
All Schools/Units where ionising radiation work is undertaken has appointed a Departmental Radiation Protection Supervisor (DRPS) for the supervision and oversight of radiation work with radioactive substances and X-ray generating equipment in their School/Unit.
The University has one Permit under the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018 for all work with unsealed radioactive sources. This controls the number of radioactive materials which may be stored in University buildings, the use of radioactive materials and disposal of such materials.
All record of the holdings and disposals of radioactive substances, and list of X-ray generating equipment, are legally required to be held centrally. In order to fulfil this legal requirement, the University manages the online radiation management system Radprot. All radiation users, radiation work risk assessments, and the list of radioactive substances and X-ray generating equipment, are held on this system.
For any questions regarding radiation protection, Radprot user or risk assessment registrations, or for reporting accidents or incidents with ionising radiation, please contact the URPO John Nicholson (Health and Safety Manager (Sciences), EHSS), or Deputy URPO Holly Finlay (Deputy Health and Safety Manager, Sciences).
To comply with IRR17, the University has set up a range of documentation including the Use of ionising radiation policy, University Work Instructions, and Local Rules for each School/Unit where radiation work is undertaken:
Radiation Local Rules - Work Instructions (PDF, 935 KB)
Site Specific Local Rules - BSRC, Purdie and WRL (PDF, 449 KB)
Site Specific Local Rules - Earth Science (PDF, 493 KB)
Site Specific Local Rules - Medicine (PDF, 470 KB)
Site Specific Local Rules - Physics (PDF, 1,011 KB)
Site Specific Local Rules - Psychology (PDF, 1,101 KB)
Site Specific Local Rules - SOI (PDF, 853 KB)