Common Requirements
All registration applications will need to consider the common requirements below for registrations. These considerations also apply to amendments to existing registrations.
Additional information is provided on the specific requirements for certain types of equipment or practices.
Every registrant must appoint a radiation safety officer (RSO), including for lasers. That person must have appropriate training and may be required to hold a licence under the Act. The RSO provides the initial point of contact for all radiation matters and undertakes many of the responsibilities imposed on the registrant by the Act and Regulations, as well as other prescribed duties. However the registrant remains ultimately responsible.
Nominations to appoint a RSO must be submitted to the Radiological Council, nominations will only be accepted from the registrant. If approved, the registrant must then appoint the RSO in writing, informing them of the Responsibilities of the RSO under the Act.
The training required for an RSO directly relates to the purpose for which the registration is held. Radiation Safety on certain mine sites is subject to regulation administered by the Mines Safety Directorate of the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) in Western Australia and RSOs for these sites will also need to meet the requirements under that Act.
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The registrant is required to keep an up to date inventory of all radioactive substances, irradiating apparatus or prescribed electronic products in use or in storage on the premises. Records showing the receipt, transfer or disposal of any assets or equipment must be retained while the radioactive substance or equipment is still in the registrants possession and for a period of time after the transfer or disposal. Details are provided in regulation 12 of the Radiation Safety (General) Regulations.
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Western Australia has compliance programs in operation for medical diagnostic x-ray equipment and fixed industrial gauges. Compliance testing is required prior to use for most types of diagnostic x-ray equipment used on humans and for fixed gauges used in industrial settings.
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Radiological Council approval is required for the design of facilities where irradiating apparatus, lasers and radioactive substances are intended to be used. Depending on the type of radiation source, this may include consideration of structural radiation protection, ventilation, plumbing and finishings.
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The Registrant must ensure that a Radiation Management Plan (RMP) for their exposure situation is developed, documented, resourced and implemented. The plan needs to address protection commensurate with the level of radiation risk associated with the activities and/or sources of radiation at the premises.
The Australian Code for Radiation Protection in Planned Exposure Situations (2016), published by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) as RPS C-1, requires the development of the RMP by the registrant. In addition, the WA legislation and relevant industry-specific Australian Codes of Practice need to be considered in its development. The RMP effectively replaces the requirements for working rules and emergency procedures where required by previous Codes. It must outline the individual procedures to be followed by all employees or may draw reference to other standard operating procedures.
Registrants and licence holders are required to implement the RMP.
RMPs must be available upon request by an officer authorised under the Radiation Safety Act. For some operations, submission will be a requirement for approval of the registration.
Personal Radiation Monitoring
The Radiological Council prescribes the monitoring requirements for persons occupationally exposed to ionising radiation in Western Australia. Personal Radiation Monitoring requirements in Western Australia are detailed for the service providers approved under Regulation 25A and the requirements for radiation users under Regulation 25. See the PRMS-requirements [⭳ PDF] for details.
If you wish to clarify your need to be monitored, please contact your organisation’s Radiation Safety Officer in the first instance.
The dose limits and maximum permissible exposure limits are outlined in Schedule I of the Radiation Safety (General) Regulations.
Radiation Survey Instruments
Radiation survey meter requirements are stipulated in Regulation 16 of the Radiation Safety (General) Regulations. Further specific requirements may be outlined in the conditions issued with a registration or in the relevant Code of Practice for the practice. Some areas of variation in the requirements for instruments include acceptable tolerances for survey instruments, suitability of the device for different situations, and the energy-calibration response of instruments.
Persons that use prescribed sources of radiation will need to hold an appropriate licence or exemption (authorisation for use) or be working, where permitted, under the direction and supervision of a licence holder.
A licence certificate will specify the types of radiation sources that an individual is permitted to use or otherwise deal with for a given purpose and the level of supervision that is required to be provided if they are supervising other personnel. In cases where the level of supervision is not specified, the licensee must ensure they provide the necessary supervision commensurate with the task being undertaken and the skills and experience of the person being supervised. A person being supervised may still need a greater level of supervision by the licensee than the minimum requirement.
The registrant must ensure that persons using prescribed sources of radiation are trained and competent to undertake the necessary tasks, in addition to being licensed where required. It is required that the registrant –
- provide copies of, or access to, instruction or operating manuals for all prescribed sources of radiation which the worker uses or operates.
- give specific instruction on how to use the radioactive substances or operate the equipment so as to minimise any potential radiation exposure of the worker, other employees or the public.
- ensure each radiation worker is instructed in radiation safety, implement the Radiation Management Plan and is familiar with any working rules that may have been prepared.