Atomic Energy (Radiation Protection)

Rules 2004
 Introduction
Atomic Energy: The energy that is released through a nuclear reaction or
radioactive decay process

Radiation: Radiation is energy that comes from a source and travels through
space at the speed of light
Radiation Exposure: it Depends on 3 factors
Time: The longer the exposure time, the more radiation exposure
Distance: The amount of radiation exposure is inversely proportional to the
square of the distance maintaining a greater distance from the X-ray generator is
a very effective method for radiation safety
Shielding: devices such as caps, lead glasses, thyroid protectors, aprons,
radiation reducing gloves Reduces the Exposure
 Introduction
Why Radiation Protection Needed
Radiation protection aims to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure with a goal to
minimize the harmful effects ( Acute Radiation syndrome, Cutaneous Radiation
Injury, Cancers, teratogenic effect) of ionizing radiation (occupational safety)
(patient safety)
Which Organization is enforcing AE RP R 2004 for radiation safety in the
country?
Rules 2(b) and 3 of Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules
(1989) under the Environmental Protection Act, 1986 has notified AERB as the
authority to enforce directions and procedures as per Atomic Energy Act with
respect to radioactive substances.
These rules shall apply to all practices adopted and interventions applied with
respect to radiation sources. (hospitals, Industries, Labs etc) in whole India
 License
1. No person shall, without a license –
(a) establish a radiation installation for siting, design, construction,
commissioning and operation
(b) decommission a radiation installation
2. No person shall handle any radioactive material, or operate any radiation
generating equipment except in accordance with the terms and conditions of
a license
3. License shall not be transferable without the prior approval of the
competent authority
4. License is payable
Facilities requiring License are

Medical diagnostic x-ray equipment including therapy simulator

Deep x-ray units, superficial and contact therapy x-ray units
Computed tomography (CT Scan) unit
Interventional radiological x-ray unit
Brachytherapy
Gamma irradiation chambers
Nuclear medicine facilities
Biomedical research using radioactive material
 Steps Of Getting License
Application for such license is for purposes envisaged by the Act
Documentation relevant to the license and complete in all respects is
submitted to the competent authority
In respect of approval for siting, design, construction, commissioning and
decommissioning, of a radiation installation, the proposed equipment,
facilities and handling procedures afford adequate protection during normal
or intended operations
The applicant has demonstrated compliance with the provisions of the
relevant safety codes and safety standards specified by the competent
authority
 Steps Of Getting License
All the requirements relating to safety specified by the competent authority in
the relevant safety codes and safety standards have been satisfied in the
construction of the radiation installation
Workers have appropriate training and instructions in radiation safety, in
addition to the appropriate qualification and training required for performing
their intended tasks
Radiological Safety Officer is designated in accordance with rule 19
Appropriate radiation monitors and dosimetry devices are available with the
applicant for purposes of radiation surveillance
The equipment, facilities and handling procedures afford adequate protection
during normal operations, minimize occurrence of potential exposures and
enable appropriate remedial actions to be taken in the event of an accident.
Steps Of Getting License

Issuance of license: The license shall be issued within a period of 180 days from
the date of receipt of the application subject to the condition that all the
requirements for issuance of the license have been duly fulfilled

Period of validity of License: Every license issued under rule 3 shall, unless
otherwise specified, be valid for a period of 5 years from the date of issue of such
license

No modification to an existing radiation installation or no change in working

conditions therein, affecting safety shall be done without the prior approval of the
competent authority
 Suspension, modification or
withdrawal of a licence
if in its opinion, the licensee has contravened any of the provisions of these
rules
considers it to be necessary in public interest pertaining to radiation safety
After giving a show cause notice to the licensee and also giving him an
opportunity to make a representation within a period of 30 days from the date
of receipt of the notice by him against the action proposed to be taken and on
consideration of his representation
(a) suspend the operation of the license for a specified period of time
(b) revoke or modify the terms and conditions of the license.
 Radiation symbol or Warning sign
The radiation symbol or warning sign shall be conspicuously and prominently displayed at all
times
on externally visible surfaces of radiation equipment, and containers for storage of radioactive
materials; packages for radioactive materials and vehicles carrying such packages
at the entrance to the room housing the radiation generating equipment
at the entrance of controlled area and supervised area
 Safety Standards and Safety Codes

The competent authority may issue safety codes and

safety standards, from time to time, prescribing the
requirements for radiation installation, sealed sources,
radiation generating equipment and equipment containing
radioactive sources, and transport of radioactive material
and the licensee shall ensure compliance with the same
Prohibition of employment of persons below
certain age
No person under the age of 18 years shall be employed as a worker

No person under the age of 16 years shall be taken as trainee or employed
as an apprentice for radiation work

Classified worker: Those of employees, who are likely to receive an effective

dose in excess of three-tenths of the average annual dose limits notified by
the competent authority and shall forthwith inform those employees that they
have been so designated
 Radiological Safety Officer
Every employer shall designate, with the written approval of the competent authority, a person
having appropriate qualifications as Radiological Safety Officer

Role of RSO
responsible for advising and assisting the employer and licensee on safety aspects

carry out routine measurements and analysis on radiation and radioactivity levels in the
controlled area, supervised area of the radiation installation and maintain records of the results
thereof

Investigate any situation that could lead to potential exposures

reports on all hazardous situations along with details of any immediate remedial actions taken
are made available to the employer and licensee for reporting to the competent authority and a
copy endorsed to the competent authority
 Role of RSO
Quality assurance tests of structures, systems, components and sources, as applicable
are conducted
Monitoring instruments are calibrated periodically
Instructing the workers on hazards of radiation and on suitable safety measures and
work practices aimed at optimizing exposures to radiation sources
Safe disposal of radioactive wastes
Developing suitable emergency response plans to deal with accidents and maintaining
emergency preparedness
modifications in working condition of a pregnant worker
the safety and security of radioactive sources
furnish to the licensee and the competent authority the periodic reports on safety
status of the radiation installation
inform the competent authority when he leaves the employment.
 Responsibilities of the employer
ensure that provisions of these rules are implemented by the licensee, Radiological
Safety Officer and other worker(s)
provide facilities and equipment to the licensee, Radiological Safety Officer and other
worker(s) to carry out their functions effectively in conformity with the regulatory
constraints
prior to employment of a worker, procure the dose records and health surveillance
reports
upon termination of service of worker provide to his new employer on request his dose
records and health surveillance reports
furnish to each worker dose records and health surveillance reports of the worker in his
employment annually, as and when requested by the worker and at the termination of his
service
inform the competent authority if the licensee or the Radiological Safety Officer or any
worker leaves the employment,
arrange for health surveillance of workers as specified under rule 25.
Responsibilities of the employer

The employer shall be the custodian of radiation sources in his possession

and shall ensure physical security of the sources at all times

The employer shall inform the competent authority, within twenty four
hours, of any accident involving a source or loss of source of which he is the
custodian
 Responsibilities of the licensee
The responsibility for implementing the terms and conditions of the license shall
rest with the licensee.
The licensee shall comply with the surveillance procedures, safety codes and
safety standards specified by the competent authority.
Every licensee shall establish written procedures and plans for controlling,
monitoring and assessment of exposure for ensuring adequate protection of
workers, members of the public and the environment and patients, wherever
applicable.
The licensee shall comply with the provision of rules for safe disposal of radioactive
waste issued under the Act.
not allow workers, other than those specified in sub-clause (ii) of clause (e) of sub-
rule (2) of rule 7 and already dealt with under rule 17.
maintain records of workers
arrange for preventive and remedial maintenance of radiation protection
equipment, and monitoring instruments
 Responsibilities of the licensee
in consultation with the Radiological Safety Officer, investigate any case of
exposure in excess of regulatory constraints received by individual workers and
maintain records of such investigations
 inform competent authority promptly of the occurrence, investigation and
follow-up actions in cases of exposure in excess of regulatory constraints,
including steps to prevent recurrence of such incidents
carry out physical verification of radioactive material periodically and maintain
inventory
inform appropriate law enforcement agency in the locality of any loss of source
inform the employer and the competent authority of any loss of source
investigate and inform the competent authority of any accident involving source
and maintain record of investigations
verify the performance of radiation monitoring systems, safety interlocks, protective
devices and any other safety systems in the radiation installation
 Responsibilities of the licensee
in consultation with Radiological Safety Officer, prepare emergency plans, as
specified in rule 33, for responding to accident to mitigate their
consequences and ensure emergency preparedness measures
conduct or arrange for quality assurance tests of structures, systems,
components and sources and related equipment
advise the employer about the modifications in working condition of a
pregnant worker
 inform the competent authority if the Radiological Safety Officer or a worker
leaves the employment
inform the competent authority when he leaves the employment
The licensee shall ensure that the workers are familiarized with contents of
the relevant surveillance procedures, safety standards, safety codes, safety
guides and safety manuals issued by the competent authority and
emergency response plans
 Responsibilities of worker
Every worker shall observe the safety requirements and follow safety
procedures and instructions and shall refrain from any willful act that could
be detrimental to self, co-workers, the radiation installation and public
provide to the employer information about his previous occupations
including radiation work, if any
make proper use of such protective equipment, radiation monitors and
Personnel monitoring devices as provided
inform the licensee and the Radiological Safety Officer, of any accident or
potentially hazardous situation that may come to his notice
A female worker shall, on becoming aware that she is pregnant, notify the
employer, licensee and Radiological Safety Officer in order that her working
conditions may be modified, if necessary.
 Medical exposures
The licensee ensure that performance of the equipment is verified
periodically by appropriate quality assurance tests
records are maintained for radiation doses received by therapy
patients,activity administered to patients for diagnostic and therapeutic
purposes and other relevant parameters
the exposure of humans for bio-medical research is carried out only on
healthy volunteers with their prior consent in writing. The methodology, the
number of volunteers and the radiation dose they are subjected to shall be
reviewed by the ethical review committee constituted by the employer
any accidental medical exposure is investigated and a written report is
submitted to the competent authority
 Inspection of premises
Any person duly authorized under sub-Section (4) of Section 17 of the Act
may, for the purposes of enforcement of these rules, inspect any premises
The date and time of inspection may or may not be informed to the
employer or the licensee prior to the inspection
The employer and the licensee shall extend all assistance to enable the
inspection to be carried out effectively and unhindered
The findings of the inspection shall be forwarded to the licensee for
necessary corrective actions.
Inspection may be carried out at all licensing stages, namely, siting,
construction, commissioning, operation and decommissioning
 Inspection of premises

The person authorized to investigate may

seal any radiation installation or any conveyance carrying radioactive

materials or seize any radioactive material or contaminated equipment

indicate in writing to the employer any recommendation aimed at ensuring

adequate protection and the licensee shall comply with the same.
 Directives in case of accidents
 In the event of an accident involving the source or release of radioactive
material, the competent authority may
Intervene and issue such directions as deemed fit and proper under the
circumstances in the interest of radiation safety and the employer shall act
as per the directions of the competent authority and shall make every effort
to mitigate the consequences of the accident
assign experts to give advice or render assistance in mitigating the
consequences of the accident and the expenses incurred, if any, shall be
reimbursed by the employer
In the interest of safety of the radiation installation, workers, public and the
environment, the competent authority may issue such directions as it may
deem fit for ensuring safety including the immediate shutting down of the
radiation installation and the employer shall comply with the directions.
 Emergency preparedness
The licensee shall prepare emergency response plans as specified by the
competent authority in the relevant safety codes and maintain emergency
preparedness
The licensee shall submit the response plans for plant emergencies and site
emergencies to the competent authority for approval
 The licensee shall submit the response plans for off-site emergencies
prepared by the appropriate authorities to the competent authority for review
 In respect of radiation installations governed by clause (a) of sub-rule (3) of
rule 3 and clause (b) of sub-rule (3) of rule 3, emergency response plans shall
be submitted to the competent authority prior to the commissioning of the
installations
 Any modification to the emergency plan shall require prior approval of or
review by the competent authority.
 Decommissioning of radiation installation
 When a radiation installation or radiation generating equipment ceases to be in use, the employer
shall ensure its decommissioning
No employer shall decommission a radiation installation without the prior approval of the
competent authority
The decommissioning plan shall take due cognizance of disposal of radioactive wastes, recycling of
materials, and reuse of equipment and premises
The licensee shall comply with such directive as may be issued by the competent authority to
ensure adequate protection of the persons in and around the decommissioned installation.
 Offences and penalties
Any person who contravenes the provisions of these rules or any of the terms and conditions of
license issued hereunder, shall be punishable as provided for under the Act.
THANK YOU
MANSAR LAKE JAMMU
Pic credit: Mitzclicks14