On 1 January 2018 Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17) replaced IRR99.

This Approved Code of Practice and guidance now applies. It gives advice and direction on how to meet the requirements in the regulations.

The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 set out your minimum legal duties and the ACOP text and guidance within this publication give practical advice on how to comply with those Regulations. The format of this publication is designed to clearly distinguish between the Regulations, the ACOP and the guidance - the ACOP text is set out in bold and the accompanying guidance in normal type, the text of the Regulations is in italics. Coloured borders also indicate each section clearly.

This publication is intended for use by employers, but it is also relevant to employees and contractors who work with ionising radiation, radiation protection advisers and radiation protection supervisors as well as general health and safety officers. It can also be used by self-employed people who work with ionising radiation and have certain duties under these Regulations both as an employer and as an employee.

Updates:

• The dose limit for exposure to the lens of the eye has been reduced from 150 mSv to 20 mSv in a year.
• There is a new system of authorisation for work with ionising radiation - the higher the radiation protection risk, the greater the requirements. A three-tier system of regulatory control, notification, registration and consent has replaced the previous requirement for notification and prior authorisation. To notify, register or get consent from HSE go to https://services.hse.gov.uk/bssd/
• The requirement for notification has been changed to a lower level of activity than in IRR99.
• The definition of an outside worker has been broadened so that it includes both classified and non-classified workers.
• There is now a requirement to put procedures in place to estimate doses to members of the public.
• Guidance has been clarified regarding the duties of employees to cooperate with employers in meeting the requirements of these Regulations.
• Medical appeals by an employee are made to HSE within 28 days of the employee being notified of the appointed doctor's decision. This has been introduced for consistency with other regulations.