Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposures) Regulations 2017 (IRMER)

These Regulations aim to protect patients undergoing medical exposures involving ionising radiation. All exposures must be:

  • Justified, to ensure the benefits of the exposure outweigh the potential harm

  • Optimised, to ensure that all exposures remain As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP).

Employers subject to IRMER17 must appoint a suitable Medical Physics Expert (MPE) and a list of current certificate holders can be found here.

Justification of Practices Involving Ionising Radiation Regulations 2004 (as amended) (JoPIIRR)

The Basic Safety Standards Directive (Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom) requires that member states ensure that all practices involving ionising radiation are justified, such that the benefit to individuals or society outweigh the potential harm. The JoPPIR Regulations (amended in 2018) provide the framework for this justification procedure.

JoPIIR 2004 does not affect any previous justification decisions made before the Regulations came into force. The justification of medical exposures is dealt with separately under IRMER.

Justification decisions can be viewed on the application register.

Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2019 (REPPIR)

REPPIR requires employers using large quantities of dispersible radioactive sources to liaise with local authorities to draw up emergency plans for use in the event of a significant release of radioactive material. The Regulations do not apply if it can be shown that the dose to a member of the public would not exceed 1 mSv.

An Approved Code of Practice and guidance to the Regulations has been produced by the Office for Nuclear Radiation (ONR).

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR)

These Regulations require certain workplace incidents including death, specified injuries and dangerous occurrences to be reported. RIDDOR reports may only be made by the responsible person. Reporting can be made online or, in some circumstances, by telephone.

Various guidance documents to RIDDOR have been made available by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).