Radiation risk assessment

A radiation risk assessment is carried out to identify the measures necessary to restrict the exposure of employees and others from ionising radiation. ​

What is a radiation risk assessment?

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A radiation risk assessment is an assessment of the radiation risk to all relevant people (including members of the public) from work with ionising radiation. It must consider all radiation hazards (existing and potential) which could expose UCL employees and others to ionising radiation and identify control measures to restrict exposure to As Low As Reasonably Practicable.

The requirement to complete a radiation risk assessment is outlined in Regulation 8 of the Ionising Radiations Regulation 2017.

> The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (Regulation 8)

When should I complete a radiation risk assessment? 

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The Radiation Risk Assessment forms part of the Radiation Compliance Documentation set and should be carried out once you have received Radiation Project Approval in 'prinicple'. The Radiation Protection Team will issue you with the Radiation Risk Assessment forms when your project receives in 'principle' approval. 

> Starting a new ionising radiation project

What should a radiation risk assessment consider?

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 From the IRR17 Approved Code of Practice (ACoP), radiation risk assessments should consider the following.

• The nature of the sources of ionising radiation to be used, or likely to be present, including accumulation of radon in the working environment 
• Estimated radiation dose rates to which anyone can be exposed
• The likelihood of contamination arising and being spread
• The results of any previous personal dosimetry or area monitoring relevant to the proposed work
• Advice from the manufacturer or supplier of equipment about its safe use and maintenance
• Engineering control measures and design features already in place, or planned
• Any planned systems of work
• Estimated levels of airborne and surface contamination likely to be encountered
• The effectiveness and the suitability of personal protective equipment (PPE) to be provided
• The extent of unrestricted access to working areas where dose rates or contamination levels are likely to be significant
• Reasonably foreseeable accident situations, their likelihood and potential severity
• The consequences of reasonably foreseeable failures of control measures – such as electrical interlocks, ventilation systems and warning devices – or systems of work
• Steps to prevent possible accidents, or limit their consequences

Who approves a radiation risk assessment

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​Radiation risk assessments should be completed by the Project Sponsor and reviewed and approved by the Radiation Protection Supervisor and the Radiation Protection Team. ​

Where to get assistance

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You can contact your local Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS) in the first instance or you can email the Radiation Protection Team for further advice and guidance. 

Standard Operating Procedure

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You will need to submit a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) with your radiation risk assessment.  The SOP should be a step-by-step process of what you intend to do, including how the control measures described in the radiation risk assessment will be implemented in practice.