What are the specific risks for Radioactive sources?

The university uses a small quantity of ionising radiation types for educational purposes.

Ionising radiation sources in use include, x-ray equipment, scanning electron microscopes and a small number of single source nuclides for equipment calibration purposes.

Non-ionising radiation hazards at the university include the potential for ultra-violet (UV) exposures from welding and high intensity light sources such as lasers to class 1 and class 2 standard.

Hazards from radiation can include burns, dermatitis and eye injury including cataracts, conjunctivitis and arc eye.

The use of ionising radiation requires the university to register with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and for the appointment of a Radiological Protection Advisor (RPA) to provide competent advice and support.

The university has appointed Aurora Health Physics Services to provide RPA services. Contact Health and Safety for the details of named RPAs from Aurora Health Physics Services. The university also trains nominated members of staff as Radiation Protection Supervisors.

A radiation risk assessment is required for all works involving the use of or exposure to ionising radiation. The Radiation Risk Assessment should identify the hazards, the nature and magnitude of the radiation risk, who could be exposed, and the steps required to prevent an accident and limit exposures.

The Ionising Radiation Policy 2024 sets out the university's requirements on the safe use of ionising radiation materials and equipment. 

The applicable legislation for the use of ionising radiation sources is the Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 and the supporting Approved Code of Practice. 

The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 addresses the use of ionising radiation in medical treatments to patients and requirements for the management of risks to carers and others in clinical environments.

There is also a homepage that lists the range of Health and Safety risks identified as relevant to the University's activities and facilities, together with information on the University's policies and arrangements on how these risks are to be managed and controlled.