Radiation Protection Adviser

Regulators
  • Health and Safety Executive
Nations
  • England
  • Wales
  • Scotland
Sectors
  • Other

Regulatory or professional bodies

Primary regulator

Regulatory authority
Health and Safety Executive
Address

Redgrave Court
Merton Road
Bootle, Merseyside
L20 7HS

Phone number
+44 (0)3000 031 747

Regulation

Regulation summary

The role of an RPA is set out in Regulation 14(1) and Schedule 4 to the Ionising Radiation Regulation (IRR17). Broadly, it is to advise an employer engaged in work with ionising radiation on compliance with IRR17 and/or Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2019 (REPPIR19). This includes those radiation protection matters necessary to comply with the Regulations.

Regulation type

Licence

Reserved activities

N/A


Qualifications and experience

New professionals

Routes to qualification

If an individual wishes to act as an RPA they must either:
- hold a valid certificate of competence from an organisation recognised by HSE as an Assessing Body for the certification of individual RPAs; or
- hold a National or Scottish Vocational Qualification (N/SVQ) level 4 in Radiation Protection Practice issued within the last five years.

Professionals from other UK nations

Routes to recognition within the UK

RPA 2000 – Certifying Competence for Radiation Protection Professionals

Holding a certificate from an Assessing Body (or possessing an appropriate National or Scottish Vocational Qualification) does not, of itself, make the holder a suitable RPA for an employer to consult, as required by regulation 14(1) of IRR17 and regulation 24 of REPPIR19. It is only recognition of core competence to give advice on compliance with IRR17, including those radiation protection matters necessary to comply with the Regulations. Similarly, a written statement of HSE recognition held by an RPA Body only relates to that organisation’s Core Competence to give advice as an RPA. Employers will need to satisfy themselves that the individual RPA (or RPA body) they appoint also possesses the specific knowledge and experience required for giving advice on their particular work, working conditions or circumstances, in order to satisfy the test of suitability in regulation 14(1) IRR17 and regulation 24(1) of REPPIR. For example, an employer involved in the transport of radioactive material would need to consider whether the RPA they intend to consult or appoint was aware of the association between the IRR17 radiation risk assessment and the Class 7 emergency planning requirements of relevant transport regulations (Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009). Judgements about such knowledge and experience (and thus suitability) do not form part of the HSE Criteria of Core Competence.

HSE statement on Radiation Protection Advisors https://www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/rpnews/statementrpa.htm#suitable-rpas

More about recognition within the UK
http://www.rpa2000.org.uk/

Professionals from outside the UK

Recognition for professionals outside the UK
None - all professionals must re-qualify
Summary of routes

The IRR17 apply to England, Scotland and Wales. Parallel regulations - the Ionising Radiations Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 - apply in Northern Ireland. You can apply to be recognised as an RPA from outside the UK. However, you will need significant knowledge and experience of IRR17.


Registration

Registration requirements

HSE keeps a register of all those recognised as an RPA Body. The assessing body keeps a register of individuals who have been recognised as an RPA.


Legislation

Title of relevant act or charter

Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017

Licence Finder

You may need licences and permits to carry out certain activities in the UK. These are called authorisations. Use the licence finder to find what you need.