Radiation Protection Adviser
- Regulators
-
- Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland
- Nations
-
- Northern Ireland
- Sectors
-
- Health and care
Regulatory or professional bodies
Primary regulator
- Regulatory authority
- Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland
- Address
-
83 Ladas Drive
Belfast
BT6 9FR - Email address
- mail@hseni.gov.uk
- Website
- https://www.hseni.gov.uk
- Phone number
- +44 (0)8000 320 121
Regulation
Regulation summary
The role of an RPA is set out in Regulation 14(1) and Schedule 4 to the The Ionising Radiations Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (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 (Northern Ireland) 2001 (REPPIR01). This includes those radiation protection matters necessary to comply with the
Regulations.
Regulation type
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 HSENI 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 REPPIR01. 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 HSENI 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 REPPIR01. 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 (The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010). Judgements about
such knowledge and experience (and thus suitability) do not form part of the HSENI Criteria of Core Competence.
Professionals from outside the UK
- Recognition for professionals outside the UK
- None - all professionals must re-qualify
- Summary of routes
-
The IRR17 apply to all UK nations and thus there is no need for separate recognition. 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
-
HSENI keeps a register of all those recognised as a RPA Body. The assessing body keeps a register of the individuals who have been recognised as a RPA.
Legislation
- Title of relevant act or charter
-
Ionising Radiation Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017
- Website link to legislation
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2017/229/regulation/14/made