Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

17.20.2 Working with ionising radiation
Essentially, work with ionising radiation means:
(a) a practice, which involves the production, process-
ing, handling, use, holding, storage, transport or dis-
posal of artifi cial radioactive substances and some 
naturally occurring sources, or the use of electrical 
equipment emitting ionizing radiation at more than 5 
kV (see defi nition of practice in Regulation 2 (1))
(b) work in places where the radon gas concentration 
exceeds the values in Regulation 3 (1) (b), or
(c) work with radioactive substances containing nat-
urally occurring radionuclides not covered by the 
defi nition of a practice.
17.20.3 Radiation 
employers
Radiation employers are essentially those employers who 
work with ionising radiation, i.e. they carry out:
(a) a practice (see defi nition in Regulation 2 (1)), or
(b) work in places where the radon gas concentration 
exceeds the values in Regulation 3 (1) (b), or
(c) work with radioactive substances containing nat-
urally occurring radionuclides not covered by the 
defi nition of a practice.
17.20.4 Duties of self-employed people
A self-employed person who works with ionising radi-
ation will simultaneously have certain duties under these 
Regulations, both as an employer and as an employee.
For example, self-employed persons may need to 
take such steps as:
➤
carrying out assessments under Regulation 7
➤
providing control measures under Regulation 8 to 
restrict exposure
➤
designating themselves as classifi ed persons under 
Regulation 20
➤
making suitable arrangements under Regulation 21 
with one or more approved dosimetry services (ADS) 
for assessment and recording of doses they receive
➤
obtaining a radiation passbook and keeping it up to 
date in accordance with Regulation 2
➤
if they carry out services as an outside worker, mak-
ing arrangements for their own training as required 
by Regulation 14
➤
ensuring they use properly any dose meters pro-
vided by an ADS as required by regulation.