Health and Safety Services

University Code of Practice and Guidance Note

Topic: Non-Ionising Radiation Safety

Date: April 2006

Version: 1.0
Status: Approved by Registrar & Secretary

Scope: This document describes policy for University staff and students
working with sources of Non-Ionising radiation. It explains how Non-
Ionising Radiation Protection is managed within the University.

INTRODUCTION

The University of Manchester has responsibility for ensuring the safe use of
equipment emitting Non-Ionising Radiation through the advancement and
implementation of systems pertaining to its safe use.

This document is intended to serve as a reference guide and informative source

for all University personnel who work with sources of NIR directly, or are exposed
to NIR in the course of their work.

CODE OF PRACTICE

It is the intention of The University of Manchester to ensure that the well-being of

staff, students and visitors is protected from the potentially harmful effects of Non-
Ionising Radiation. At present, there are no specific regulations governing the use
of non-ionising radiation. However, the general duties in the Health & Safety at
Work etc Act 1974, and the requirements of the Management of Health & Safety at
Work Regulations 2002 (as amended) do apply, and require, amongst other
things, that risk assessments are carried out and appropriate measures to control
exposure are put in place. Therefore it is University Code of Practice to promote
an attitude of awareness towards the use of any equipment capable of emitting
such radiation, and to facilitate programmes of learning applicable to the individual
user.

Definition of Terms Used

Non-Ionising Radiation: Non-Ionising Radiation may be defined as electromagnetic

radiation with insufficient energy to produce ion pairs in biological matter. For the

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purpose of this document, this encompasses wavelengths from >0m in the
radiofrequency region to 400nm in the UV region.

Laser safety is covered in a separate document:

http://www.lpg.man.ac.uk/laser_safety/
Extremely low frequency (ELF) radiation

Electromagnetic energy with frequencies between 0 to 300 Hz.

(Including most domestic appliances and power source frequencies)

Radiofrequency radiation

Electromagnetic energy with frequencies in the range 300 Hz to 300GHz.

(Inclusive of microwave radiation).

Microwave radiation

Electromagnetic energy with frequencies between 1GHz and 300 GHz.

(Including mobile phones, microwave ovens).

Infra-red radiation

Electromagnetic energy with wavelengths between 700 nm and 1mm.

Visible light radiation

Electromagnetic energy with wavelengths from 400nm to 700 nm.

Ultra- violet radiation

Electromagnetic energy with wavelengths from 100nm to 400nm.

This covers the regions UV-A 400-315 nm
UV-B 315-280nm
UV-C 280-100nm
(Including transilluminators, PCR cabinets, and sterilizing equipment)

RESPONSIBILITIES

The University

The University of Manchester is responsible for ensuring that:

• A safe working environment is maintained for staff, students, and visitors.

(Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974).
• Information, instruction and training are available on the safe use of
equipment emitting Non-Ionising Radiation. (This relates especially to the
use of UV emitting equipment in laboratories).
• Appropriate Risk Assessments are prepared and maintained in respect of
all procedures in which Non-Ionising Radiation is used.

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 • Suitable Personal Protective Equipment is provided for all users of Non-
Ionising Radiation, as deemed appropriate by the Risk Assessment
process.

Management

The management of Non-Ionising Radiation safety lies within the remit of the
Heads of Schools and Principal Investigators.

The University Health and Safety Services have appointed a Non-ionising

Radiation Protection Technician to deal directly with non-ionising radiation issues.
Safety Coordinators will advise Schools on the safe day to day use of equipment
emitting non-ionising radiation.

Head of Radiation Protection

The Head of Radiation Protection shall be consulted by the Non-Ionising Radiation

Safety Technician where necessary. The Head of Radiation Protection is Dr
Stephen Bidey, and can be contacted at the Radiation Safety Unit.

Radiation Protection Safety Technician

The Non-Ionising Radiation Safety Technician undertakes duties relating to the

implementation of safe practices relating to the use of Non-Ionising Radiation. The
Non-Ionising Radiation Safety Technician is Ms Helen Walsh, and can be
contacted at the Radiation Safety Unit.

Duties include:

• Carrying out inspections of any University property which has NIR emitting
equipment in use, and informing the Head of Radiation Protection or Safety
Advisor as to the findings.
• Maintaining a database of equipment emitting Non-Ionising Radiation on
campus.
• Provision of guidance for safe use where necessary.
• Consultation with the Head of Radiation Protection will be undertaken
where required, reporting any incidences where there is a potential hazard.
• Participation in any accident investigations involving Non-Ionising
Radiation.
• Liaising with the University Health and Safety Services.
• Informing University Safety Coordinators of any changes in the existing
legislation.
• Maintaining up to date knowledge regarding Non-Ionising Radiation in the
media.

The Non-Ionising Radiation Safety Technician is also available to give advice on

all matters relating to the safe use of working in an environment where
electromagnetic radiation sources are present.

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University Safety Coordinators

The University Safety Coordinators shall liaise with the School Safety Advisors of
individual Schools, in all matters relating to non-ionising radiation safety. Duties
associated with the day-to-day management of non-ionising radiation safety will be
undertaken by a named individual within each School, who will be responsible to
the Head of School.

GUIDANCE

Any enquiries relating to Non-Ionising Radiation safety issues should be directed

to the University Non-Ionising Radiation Safety Technician.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITES

The University is responsible for the provision of appropriate training procedures to

enable and ensure safe use on equipment emitting Non-Ionising Radiation on
campus. This is especially important with the use of UV transilluminators and
sterilizing equipment where injuries may be acute in the case of misuse.

There will be training courses organized on a regular basis for academic staff,
technical staff, and postgraduate students whose work brings them into contact
with UV sources directly. Users of any electrical equipment generating an
electromagnetic field (emf) may request information and advice from the Radiation
Safety Unit at any time. There will be a General Awareness course on Non-
Ionising Radiation safety available to all interested persons. This will encompass
all non-ionising radiation frequencies and will be informative rather than instructive.

The organisation of training and information resources within the University is as

follows:

• UV workers must be aware of the Risk Assessments and Local Rules

applicable to the work which they are undertaking. All new staff and
students will be required to attend a Safety Awareness course at their
earliest convenience (organised by The Radiation Safety Unit).

• It is the responsibility of individual Project Supervisors for students or line

managers for staff, to ensure that relevant persons are enrolled on Safety
Awareness courses. Project supervisors must ensure that new laboratory
workers or staff should be made aware of Risk Assessments and
appropriate policy documents before commencing work involving UV
apparatus. Training for the day-to-day use of UV apparatus should be
provided, as required or requested, by supervisors within the laboratory.

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 • The Head of School must ensure that all relevant safety advisors provide
suitable and sufficient information and, where necessary, training in safe
working practices.

REFERENCES

At the present time, there are no legal specifications to cover the use of Non-
Ionising Radiation. All safety recommendations are made with close reference to
the following:

• Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974;

• International Commission Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)
guidelines;
• National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) guidelines;
• International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection/
International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA/INIRC) guidelines;
• World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines;
• 18th Directive 2004/40/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council;
• 19th Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council (Optical
Radiation) Article 16; 89/39/EEC.

N.B. The skin chemistry and medication status of certain individuals may result in
sensitivity to levels of Non-Ionising Radiation below the thresholds recommended
in the above documents. Accordingly, there is considerable doubt as to what
constitutes a ‘safe’ level of exposure to Non-Ionising Radiation. Guidance at The
University of Manchester will therefore respect The Precautionary Principle and
will adopt those practices which minimize risks as far as is reasonably practicable.

CONTACTS

Dr Stephen Bidey
Radiation Safety Unit
7th Floor Williamson Building
Oxford Road
Manchester M13 9PL
Telephone: 0161 275 6983

Ms Helen Walsh
Radiation Safety Unit
7th Floor Williamson Building
Oxford Road
Manchester M13 9PL
Telephone: 0161 275 6981

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