The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) makes provision for IR medicals under the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999. These are statutory medical examinations carried out only by HSE Inspectors or Appointed Doctors (ADs). It is generally known that ionising radiations are potentially harmful but like all hazardous agents, having adequate control measure in place can guard against the development of unwanted health effects. The adverse consequences of uncontrolled IR exposure can be categorised broadly into stochastic (long-term) and deterministic (here and now) health effects. The AD will therefore carry out an examination looking out for these health effects but more importantly making sure that classified IR workers are reminded of their duty to cooperate with the employer in safeguarding their health and safety at work. This examination includes an assessment of the dosimeter records and it is reviewed on an annual basis. This could occasionally require blood tests to be carried out but the decision to do so will be on a case-by-case basis.
Ionising Radiation
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) makes provision for IR medicals under the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999. These are statutory medical examinations carried out only by HSE Inspectors or Appointed Doctors (ADs). It is generally known that ionising radiations are potentially harmful but like all hazardous agents, having adequate control measure in place can guard against the development of unwanted health effects. The adverse consequences of uncontrolled IR exposure can be categorised broadly into stochastic (long-term) and deterministic (here and now) health effects. The AD will therefore carry out an examination looking out for these health effects but more importantly making sure that classified IR workers are reminded of their duty to cooperate with the employer in safeguarding their health and safety at work. This examination includes an assessment of the dosimeter records and it is reviewed on an annual basis. This could occasionally require blood tests to be carried out but the decision to do so will be on a case-by-case basis.