Ionising radiations


New Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR 17) came into force on 1 January 2018.


The regulations introduce two main changes. Employers must now use a three-tier system of notification, registration and consent to tell the HSE that they work with ionising radiation, depending on the size and likelihood of exposure. 


The annual dose limit – the radiation exposure level that must not be exceeded – for exposure to the lens of the eye is reduced from 150mSv to 20mSv. There is also flexibility for five-year averaging for dose limit to the lens of the eye, subject to HSE-specified conditions. 


The new regulations are set out together with a draft Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) and guidance in HSE publication L121.


The HSE will review the draft ACoP and determine a final publication date after the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 come into force on 6 February as they will amend IRR 17. 


www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l121.pdf