This section gives a brief description of current UK legislation affecting work with sources of ionising radiation, and the associated EU Directives on radioactivity and radioactive substances that are in place.
Radioactive Substances Act 1993
The Radioactive Substances Act 1993 (RSA93) is concerned with control over the security of radioactive materials and with ensuring that any appropriate and justified accumulation and disposal of radioactive waste occurs with minimum impact on the general public and the environment.
There is also a series of 18 Exemption Orders which define low risk activities that can be exempted from permitting - for example, domestic smoke detectors. RSA93 was incorporated into Schedule 23 of the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2010 (EPR) in England and Wales in April 2010 and the revised exemptions framework will follow when the EO review is completed in late 2010. RSA 93 remains in force in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
EPR 2010 is regulated in England and Wales by the Environment Agency (EA). In Scotland RSA 93 is regulated by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and in Northern Ireland by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 (as amended) (for Licensed Nuclear Sites)
The main legislation covering the safety of workers and the general public at nuclear installations in the UK is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HASAWA 74) and its Relevant Statutory Provisions, which include the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 (NIA65) (as amended) (for Licensed Nuclear Sites).
The Nuclear Installations Act applies specific regulatory controls to nuclear plants. Under this Act, apart from certain exceptions, no site may be used for the purpose of installing or operating any nuclear installation unless the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has granted a licence.
The principle of justification is that no practice involving exposure to radiation should be adopted unless it produces sufficient benefit to the exposed individuals or to society to offset the radiation it causes. These regulations came into force on 2 August 2004. They transpose into UK law the justification requirements of two European Directives, which protect the health of individuals against the dangers of ionising radiation.
These regulations made under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 are designed to ensure that exposure to ionising radiation arising from work activities, whether man-made or natural, is kept as low as reasonably practicable and does not exceed specified dose limits for individuals. They are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
These regulations regulate all road transport of radioactive material and are based on the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Materials 1996 Safety Guide TS-G-1.1 (ST-2). RAM Road 2002 is regulated by the Department for Transport.
These regulations protect the public from emergencies that might arise from work with ionising radiations. A radiation emergency is defined as an accident or event where a member of the public receives an effective dose greater than 5 mSv within a period of one year. Companies and organisations that hold unsealed radioactive materials should carry out an assessment to decide whether these regulations apply. REPPIR places legal duties on hospitals, universities, rail transport carriers, local authorities and employers of people who intervene in a radiation emergency. REPPIR is regulated by the Health and Safety Executive.