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Topics: Radiation

Introduction:

Every day in Northern Ireland, all manner of radiation types are used in a diverse range of industrial, medical, research and communications applications and, although these have brought increasing prosperity to people living in Northern Ireland, some applications cause harmful exposure risks that must be effectively controlled.

The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) is one of a number of public bodies which regulate work that causes or could cause radiation exposure of workers, the public or both. HSENI’s inspectors advise, inspect, investigate and enforce in a flexible and proportionate way so that radiation exposure of employees and others, arising from work activities, is adequately controlled.

Source - HSE(GB)
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Key Messages/Current Issues:

  • Ionising Radiation

    Ionising radiations occurs as either electromagnetic rays (such as X-rays and gamma rays) or particles (such as alpha and beta particles). It occurs naturally (e.g. from the radioactive decay of natural radioactive substances such as radon gas and its decay products) but can also be produced artificially. People can be exposed externally, to radiation from a radioactive material or a generator such as an X-ray set, or internally, by inhaling or ingesting radioactive substances. Wounds that become contaminated by radioactive material can also cause radioactive exposure.

    Notification to HSENI of work with IR

  • Radon

    Radon is a naturally occuring radioactive gas emanating from many naturally occuring rocks and soils and can build up in indoor workplaces.

    Radon and the radioactive elements formed during its decay can be inhaled and enter the lungs causing cell damage, which can lead to lung cancer.

    Radon contributes by far the largest component of background radiation dose received by the UK population and significant exposures are possible in workplaces.

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  • Non-Ionising Radiation

    Non-ionising radiation (NIR) is the term used to describe the part of the electromagnetic spectrum covering two main regions, namely optical radiation (ultraviolet (UV), visible and infrared) and electromagnetic fields (EMFs) (power frequencies, microwaves and radio frequencies).

Key Legislation

Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001

Ionising Radiations Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000

Please note that these links are to the original legislation, visitors should verify for themselves whether legislation is in force or whether it has been amended or repealed by subsequent legislation.