Radiation

Ionising radiation

Radiation management licence, training, radiation safety certification program, requirements, guidance materials and contacts

Electromagnetic radiation is used in a variety of teaching and research areas throughout the University. Some types of electromagnetic radiation can affect people’s health and cause damage to property or the environment.

Types of electromagnetic ionising radiation used at the University include:

  • open sources
  • closed sources
  • radiation emitting apparatus

Some of the compliance requirements for radiation management can be quite complex. The Radiation Risk Management procedures and associated guidance material aim to provide simple, directive guidance on how to achieve compliance in regard to electromagnetic radiation management at the University of Melbourne.

Radiation Management Licence

The Radiation Act 2005 (Vic) requires a person or organisation to hold a management licence for the possession, sale, consignment or disposal of a radiation source.  A licence must be held before the person or organisation conducts a radiation practice.  The management licence is issued by the Department of Health.

With regards to the above the University of Melbourne holds a management licence so that teaching and research practices that use ionising radiation can do so lawfully.

This licence (often referred to as the Radiation management licence in University documentation) is managed centrally by the Health & Safety Services team.

A practice refers to the type of radiation source and the purpose/method for its use.

What does this mean for teaching and research?
Before you can conduct a radiation practice it must be on the licence. The licence will include; the type of radiation source, the purpose of the practice and the location (including room number in a building).
A radiation practice that is on the licence, has licence conditions that you must meet.
You cannot conduct a radiation practice if it is not on the licence.
What are licence conditions?
These are the conditions that are listed on the licence. These conditions stipulate how you work with and manage the permitted ionising radiation source. The Health & Safety: Management licence schedules list the conditions.

What are examples of altering a radiation practice?
Altering a radiation practice requires varying the Radiation management licence. This may include:

  • Moving a radiation practice to a new location (this includes the room next door if it’s not on the licence)
  • Acquiring additional radiation emitting apparatus (eg x-ray) not on the licence
  • Acquiring additional sealed sources (eg fixed gauge or calibration source) not on the licence
  • Acquiring additional radiation sources (eg open sources – isotopes) not on the licence
  • Replacing emitting apparatus or sealed sources
  • Disposing of emitting apparatus or sealed sources
  • Ceasing a radiation practice
  • How can we make this easier for you? If you are altering your radiation practice, or require further information or assistance, contact your Departmental Radiation Safety Officer (DRSO) or the University Radiation Safety Advisor.

Chemical

Health & Safety: Chemical management guidelines

Ionising radiation

University policy requires that ionising radiation activities, where reasonably practicable, undertaken at the University shall limit total whole body exposure to no more than that of a member of the public.

These dose limits have been adopted to consider:

  • Pregnant staff or students
  • Students that may be under 18 years of age

Dose limits refer to the maximum amount (dose) of ionising radiation that a person can be exposed to. In Victoria, these limits are regulated by the Radiation Regulations 2017 (Vic) – Schedule 4. The dose limits are categorised as occupational or public. An occupational dose limit applies to people working with ionising radiation.

Ionising radiation dose limits for public exposure
Dose LimitCircumstance
Effective dose of 100 millisievertReceipt of ionising radiation doses in any 12 month period
Effective dose of 50 millisievertReceipt of ionising radiation doses in any 12 month period
Equivalent dose of 100 millisievertReceipt of ionising radiation to the lens of an eye of a person in any 60 month period
Equivalent dose of 50 millisievertReceipt of ionising radiation to the lens of an eye of a person in any 12 month period
Equivalent dose of 500 millisievert averaged over 1 cm2 of any part of the skin regardless of the total area exposedReceipt of ionising radiation to the skin of a person in any 12 month period
Equivalent dose of 500 millisievertReceipt of ionising radiation to the hands and feet of a person in any 12 month period
Ionising radiation dose limits for public exposure
Dose LimitCircumstance
Receipt of ionising radiation doses in any 12 month period Effective dose of 1 millisievert
Receipt of ionising radiation to the lens of an eye of a person in any 12 month periodEquivalent dose of 15 millisievert
Receipt of ionising radiation to the skin of a person in any 12 month periodEquivalent dose of 50 millisievert averaged over 1 cm2 of any part of the skin regardless of the total area exposed

Training

Safe radiation practices - Ionising

This course is designed for staff and students who work with or are exposed to ionising radiation sources. It is anticipated that at the end of this training session participants will be able to:

  • Have an awareness of University and legal requirements for the safe use of ionising radiation;
  • Explain what ionising radiation is and what physical properties it possesses;
  • Implement safe work practices and techniques when working with ionising radiation.

Please note: if you have a Use Licence then you can complete the Safe Radiation Practices - Use Licence Holders training instead of the above.

Safe radiation practices - Use licence holders

This course is designed for staff and students who work with or are exposed to ionising radiation sources and hold a current Use Licence. It is anticipated that at the end of this training session participants will be able to:

  • Have an awareness of University and legal requirements for the safe use of ionising radiation.

Training for either course is available via TrainMe. Please discuss with your Department Radiation Safety Officer (DRSO) if this course is appropriate for you.

Radiation Safety Certification Program

Ionising Radiation Laboratories

Current Requirements (30 March to 30 September 2020)

The Health & Safety Services, Business Services team have reviewed current requirements for ionising radiation laboratories to renew their laboratory self-certification between 30 March 2020 and 30 September 2020. The following has been implemented for laboratories:

  1. Continuing to operate, self-certification should continue as per current University requirements.
  2. Currently non-operational, self-certification that expires during this time will not be required for renewal until after 30 September 2020.

Department Radiation Safety Officers (DRSO) and affected laboratory users should contact the University Radiation Safety Advisor if they require further information.

General Requirements

Laboratories using ionising radiation require University ionising radiation laboratory certification. The purpose of this certification is to ensure that the laboratory:

  • complies with legal requirements;
  • complies with University requirements; and
  • adopts the radiation protection principles when undertaking ionising radiation activities.

The program is undertaken as a self-certification process by radiation laboratory staff and/or the DRSO. The University Radiation Safety Advisor audits a sample number of laboratories annually.

Records of certification are maintained centrally by Health & Safety Services. Certification is repeated biennially.

Requirements and guidance materials

Requirements and plan

Risk assessments

Ionising RadiationRisk Assessment Form
Radioactive Material
(open source)

Radioactive material risk assessment

Radiation Aparatus
(eg x-ray machine)

Sealed Source Apparatus
(eg calibration sealed source, moisture gauge)

Plant risk assessment

Health & Safety: Action Plan

  • Where corrective actions are required this template can be used with risk assessment templates without a Health & Safety action plan.
  • See also Implement on the Management System page.

Additional information and assistance

Your local Departmental Radiation Safety Officer can assist with queries about radiation safety and management specific to your department.

The University Radiation Safety Advisor can provide specialist radiation advice.

Non-ionising radiation

Guidance

Types of electromagnetic non-ionising radiation used at the University include:

  • lasers
  • microwaves
  • ultraviolet
  • NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance)

Plant risk assessment can be used as a template to create risk assessments for laser, microwaves, UV and nuclear magnetic resonance.

Training

The Safe Radiation Practices - Laser course is an introduction to basic principles of lasers (of all classes) and their safe use.

It is anticipated that at the end of this training session participants will be able to:

  • conduct their activities safely whilst working with lasers.
  • Identify hazards associated with laser light.
  • Assess risks associated with laser use
  • Determine appropriate laser safety controls
  • Ensure laser activities undertaken at the University of Melbourne are controlled in a safe manner.

To enrol in Safe Radiation Practices - Laser and complete the course, please log onto TrainMe.

Additional information and assistance

The University Radiation Safety Advisor provides specialist radiation advice to the University community.