Managing Ionising Radiation

UCL's Radiation Governance Framework for radiation safety describes how UCL manages its work with ionising radiation to ensure it is carried out safely and compliantly.

On this page 

• Radiation Governance Framework​
• Roles and Responsibilities

Radiation Governance Framework

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The Radiation Governance Framework ensures that UCL complies with the UCL Health and Safety Policy and relevant legal and regulatory obligations by managing the use of ionising radiations, including the purchase, use and disposal of radioactive materials.  

Principles of UCL's Radiation Governance Framework

• Departments must obtain approval prior to bringing sources of ionising radiation on site: 
  • For storing, using and disposing of unsealed radioactive material departments must hold a valid Allocation Certificate from the Radiation Protection Team which states the radionuclides and activity (MBq) the department is permitted to keep in stock and waste.
  • For X-ray equipment, sealed radioactive material and nuclear materials departments must obtain written approval from the Radiation Protection Team prior to ordering.
• All departments working with ionising radiation must have an appointed Radiation Protection Supervisor.
• All departments working with nuclear materials must have an appointed Nuclear Materials Inventory Co-ordinator.
• All persons working with ionising radiation at UCL must register as a Radiation Worker and complete formal training and a local induction.
• All new projects involving the use of ionising radiation must follow the Radiation Project Approval Process and be approved by the Radiation Protection Team.
• All areas where radiation is used or stored must be formally approved in writing by the Radiation Protection Team before any activities can take place.

Structure of UCL's Radiation Governance Framework

• Radiation Operator's Procedures: The Operator's Procedures ("OP") encompass the overarching framework under which policies, processes and supporting documents ensure that UCL works safely and compliantly with ionising radiation. These documents are available on the Ionising Radiation SharePoint.
• Departmental Written Procedures: These describe the local arrangements and procedures for the management of radioactive material and waste within the department.
• Local Rules: These summarise the key working instructions and arrangements intended to restrict exposure to persons working in designated radiation areas.

Roles and Responsibilities

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Radiation Protection Team

The Radiation Protection Team is part of Safety Services. The role of the team is to oversee all work with both ionising and non-ionising radiations, including implementing policies and procedures as well as providing advice to departments, to ensure UCL works safely and compliantly.

Radiation Protection Adviser

UCL must consult a suitable Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) for advice on complying with the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017. The role of the RPA is to provide advice to UCL about the protection of its employees and the public from the harmful effects of ionising radiation. UCL has an internal RPA that sits within Safety Services (who also undertakes the duties of a Radiation Protection Officer), as well as an externally appointed RPA.

> Read more about the role of the RPA

Radioactive Waste Adviser

UCL must consult a suitable Radiation Waste Adviser (RWA) to advise on compliance with Environmental Permitting Regulations permits UCL holds for the purpose of acquiring, storing and using radioactive material, and for accumulating and disposing of radioactive waste. The appointed RWA provides advice to the Radiation Protection Team and conducts audits of departments working with radioactive material.

> Read more about the role of the RWA

Radiation Protection Officer

UCL has appointed Radiation Protection Officers that make up the Radiation Protection Team. The role of the RPO is to oversee all work with ionising radiations at UCL, including implementing policies and procedures as well as providing advice to departments, to ensure UCL works safely and compliantly.

> Read more about the role of the RPO

Radiation Protection Supervisor

The role of the Radiation Protection Supervisor at UCL is to supervise work with ionising radiation at the departmental level. 

• Assisting UCL’s compliance with the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 by ensuring persons working with ionising radiations adhere to Local Rules.
• Where relevant, supervising the use of radioactive material and the accumulation and disposal of radioactive waste as well as ensuring persons adhere to Departmental Written Procedures and UCL’s Radiation Operator’s Procedures.
• Be the point of contact between the department and the Radiation Protection Team.
• You must attend the RPS training course. The booking page details pre-requisite training you must complete before attending the course.

> Read more about the role of the RPS (login required)

Facilities Manager (Waste)

The Facilities Manager (Waste) sits within the Estates' Operations Division. With regards to ionising radiation, the role of the Facilities Manager (Waste) is to ensure radioactive waste is managed and disposed of in accordance with the conditions and limitations of the EPR permits in liaison with the Radiation Protection Team. 

Nuclear Materials Inventory Co-ordinator​s (NMIC)

The role of the Nuclear Materials Inventory Co-ordinator is to manage the nuclear materials holdings within their department. This includes maintaining an inventory and submitting a copy to the Radiation Protection Team on a monthly basis.

The NMIC must complete the Nuclear Safeguards for Users and the Nuclear Safeguards for NMICs eLearning.

Radiation Worker

A Radiation Worker is a person who works with ionising radiations as part of their work at UCL, and is registered as a Radiation Worker with Safety Services.