What legislation addresses radiation protection for staff in dental practices?

The appropriate legislation that addresses radiation protection for staff in dental practices is the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17). This regulation provides a framework for protecting employees and the public from the potential hazards of ionising radiation, which is critical in settings where radiological procedures are performed.

IRR17 focuses on various aspects of radiation safety, including the requirements for risk assessment, training, monitoring exposure levels, and implementing appropriate control measures to reduce radiation risks. This regulatory framework ensures that dental professionals are trained and that the equipment used in dental practices complies with safety standards to minimize exposure to radiation.

IRMER (Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations) specifically focuses on medical exposure to ionising radiation and the responsibilities of practitioners and operators in ensuring the protection of patients, rather than staff protection per se. While it is essential in medical contexts, IRR17 is the specific regulation aimed directly at protecting staff from occupational radiation exposure.

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations deal with the management of hazardous substances, which may not exclusively cover radiation hazards, and the Health and Safety at Work Act establishes general principles for workplace safety but doesn’t exclusively address radiation protection.

By recognizing IRR17 as the key legislation for staff