UK Ionising Radiation Regulations (IRR17 & IRMER 2017)

In Great Britain, IRR17 primarily protects workers and the public from occupational and other exposure, while IR(ME)R 2017 governs medical exposures. Their duties and purposes must not be confused.

The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 require employers working with ionising radiation to assess and control risks to employees and others, including suitable protection arrangements.

The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 establish requirements for justification, optimisation and responsibilities in medical exposures, including radiotherapy.

Employers must assess radiation risks and implement suitable controls, arrangements, training and monitoring as applicable to their work. Specific requirements depend on the practice and exposure risks.

A risk assessment identifies exposure sources, who might be exposed and appropriate protective measures. It informs local rules and safe working arrangements.

Local rules describe practical arrangements for radiation work in relevant areas, including precautions and emergency procedures. They support safe working under IRR17.

An RPA is a suitably qualified expert whom employers must consult on specified radiation-protection matters under IRR17.

An RPS helps supervise work to ensure local rules are followed in designated areas. The role is distinct from the RPA.

A controlled area is designated where specific protective procedures or access controls are needed under the relevant criteria. Access and working arrangements must be managed.

A supervised area is designated where conditions need to be kept under review but controlled-area requirements are not met. Monitoring and local arrangements remain important.

IRR17 sets dose limits for occupational and public exposure, subject to regulatory detail and exceptions. These limits are not limits for the intended therapeutic dose delivered to patients.

Where required, workers use approved or appropriate dose monitoring arrangements to assess occupational exposure and confirm protective measures are effective.

The IR(ME)R employer establishes procedures and ensures an appropriate framework for safe medical exposures. This legal role is not automatically identical to an individual line manager.

An entitled referrer is a registered healthcare professional who refers an individual for medical exposure in accordance with employer procedures.

The IR(ME)R practitioner is the entitled registered healthcare professional responsible for justifying an individual medical exposure, considering benefits and risks.

An IR(ME)R operator is a person entitled to carry out practical aspects of a medical exposure within their defined scope of practice.

Justification means deciding that the expected benefit of a medical exposure outweighs the potential radiation detriment for that individual, taking relevant alternatives into account.

Optimisation requires exposures to be managed so doses are appropriate for the clinical purpose, considering the intended therapeutic dose and minimising unintended exposure of other tissues.

DRLs are optimisation tools for relevant diagnostic procedures, not dose limits for individual patients. They are not a substitute for a prescribed radiotherapy treatment dose.

Employer procedures address appropriate enquiries about pregnancy or breastfeeding where relevant to the medical exposure, recognising different clinical contexts.

IR(ME)R includes duties for identifying, investigating and, where criteria apply, notifying significant accidental or unintended medical exposures. Local procedures guide escalation.

Practitioners and operators must be adequately trained and entitled within the employer framework for the tasks they perform. Clear scope and records support accountability.

IRR17 focuses on protecting workers and the public from radiation hazards; IR(ME)R focuses on protecting people undergoing medical exposures through justification, optimisation and defined duty holders.

These cards are an introductory overview, not legal advice or a verified extract of your lecture slides. Always use your course material and current official regulations for exact thresholds, schedules and legal wording.