 Radioactive
Materials in UK Schools & Colleges
Frequently Asked Questions..
Are
there Government regulations covering radioactive materials in schools
in the UK?
Yes, the use of radioactive sources in schools and
colleges is covered by the following:
- The Radioactive Substances Act 1993
- The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999
- The Department for Education and Employment
Administrative Memorandum AM 1/92 (under review).
What do these
regulations cover?
The Radioactive Substances Act 1993 (RSA93)
The provisions of this Act deal with the protection
of the environment from radiological contamination by requiring organisations
to be:
i) registered for the keeping and use of radioactive
sources, and
ii) authorised for the accumulation and disposal of radioactive waste
State maintained schools are exempt from most of these by The Radioactive
Substances (Schools etc.) Exemption Order 1963.
Independent schools are exempt under a number
of other Exemption Orders:
- The Radioactive Substances (Testing Instruments)
Exemption Order 1985
- The Radioactive Substances (Prepared Uranium
and Thorium Compounds) Exemption Order 1962
- The Radioactive Substances (Geological Specimens)
Exemption Order 1962
- The Radioactive Substances (Luminous Articles)
Exemption Order 1963
These Exemption Orders have conditions attached
to them specifying the terms of their application and the types of material
and activities which are exempt.
The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999
(IRR99)
These regulations, made under the Health and Safety
at Work Act 1974, control the exposure of employees and the public to
ionising radiation in the workplace.
Given the low source activities, their containment
and the low resulting exposures many parts of the regulations do not
apply to schools.
The use of Ionising Radiations in Educational
Establishments in England and Wales and notes for guidance [DES Administrative
Memorandum 1/92]
This administrative memorandum gives information
specific for state maintained schools. However, many Independent Schools
choose to operate within the conditions of AM 1/92.
Many of the points covered in AM 1/92 replicate
those in IRR99. Since AM 1/92 was published, however, the health and
safety regulations have changed from IRR85 to IRR99. Some aspects such
as local rules and the role of the RPS, that were mandatory for schools
under IRR85, are now optional.
The new regulations have also introduced the concept
of risk assessment that was not included previously.
Who is responsible
for ensuring compliance with these regulations?
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 places overall
responsibility for health and safety with the employer. Who this is
varies with the type of school.
- For community schools, community special schools,
voluntary controlled schools, maintained nursery schools and pupil
referral units the employer is the Local Education Authority (LEA).
- For foundation schools, foundation special
schools and voluntary-aided schools, the employer is usually the
governing body.
- For independent schools, the employer is usually
the governing body or proprietor.
Within each school a person will be appointed (usually
a physics teacher or technician) to be responsible for day-to-day compliance.
The level of training required for this person is dependent on the type
and activity of the radioactive sources held.
Where can I get
further advice or guidance?
Further advice and guidance is available from either:
CLEAPSS Schools Science Service - All LEA's have membership of CLEAPSS
as do most independent schools and colleges. CLEAPSS can provide guidance
and advice directly as well as through their Laboratory Handbook and
more specifically in their guidance document, "Ionising Radiations
and Radioactive Substances L93".
CLEAPSS School Science Service
Brunel University
Uxbridge
UB8 3PH
Tel: (01895) 251 496
Fax: (01895) 814 372
www.cleapss.org.uk
Radiation Protection Advisers (RPA) - Suitably accredited RPA's
can give advice and guidance on all aspects of the various legislations.
CLEAPSS can provide contact details of suitable RPA in your area.
Radman Associates have acted as an RPA to schools
in the Staffordshire/ Cheshire/ Lancashire Area for many years. Our
services are normally provided on one of the following basis:
- Initial consultation on the IRR99 without
the need for permanent appointment.
- Formal appointment as RPA to your school or
college.
Our contract price includes:
* A site visit and written report
* 2 years availability to provide advice and guidance
* Updates on any changes to the legislation
* A 24-hour emergency contact number.
What items are covered
by these regulations?
Any material or item which emits ionising radiations
needs to be considered in relation to the various regulations. The following
list details the radioactive items commonly held by schools:
Sealed sources - Most commonly cup sources
or resin embedded sources, usually less than 185 kBq. A variety of radionuclides
are used including radium-226, americium-241, strontium-90, cobalt-60,
plutonium-239. Sealed sources require leak testing every two years.
Radioactive rocks - Naturally occurring radioactive
minerals which have not been processed in any way. Often these sources
are held by the geology department, sometimes without the radioactive
properties being known. E.g. monozite sands, pitchblende, torbenite,
anglesite, cummite, etc.
Uranium and thorium compounds - Most often
in sealed containers or puffer bottles which are used for half-life
experiments. Sometimes in sealed plastic slides, lidded glass vials
or glass bottles. Often chemistry departments may have old stocks of
these compounds without realising the radioactive properties.
Smoke detectors - Radioactive versions contain
a small americium-241 or radium-226 source. These only need to be considered
for health and safety purposes when used in demonstrations.
Spintharioscope and luminous articles - Contain
radium-226 which interacts with a fluorescent substance to cause light
to be emitted; often used on items such as watches, compasses and dials.
Modern luminous articles do not use radium but store energy from a light
source and will stop glowing in a few hours, radium luminised articles
never stop glowing as energy comes from the ionising radiations.
Cloud chamber sources - Most commonly a small
blob of yellow paint containing radium-226 on the end of a wire. Care
must be taken as paint can begin to flake in time with a risk of it
being inhaled; best stored inside a sealed vial.
X-ray instruments - Any instrument generating
x-rays needs to be operated very carefully due to the high dose-rate
(biological harm) that can result from even short exposures.
Neutron sources - Very rare for any school
to own as a Registration with the Environment Agency is likely to be
required with high levels of supervision and documentation.
Radman Associates is a long established
RPA Body formally recognised by the HSE. For Radiation
Protection Advice (including current UK legislation)
and for RPS Training
please contact Radman.
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