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Ionising and non-ionising radiation

Ionising and non-ionising radiation

Information for workers and employers about working safely around radiation sources.

Radiation is divided into two main types, based on how the energy or wavelength affects our health. These are Ionising and non-ionising radiation.

Ionising radiation

Ionising radiation has sufficient energy that it can damage DNA as it passes through the tissues of the body. Examples include alpha particles, gamma rays, x-rays and neutrons.

Non-ionising radiation

Non-ionising radiation does not damage DNA directly when it passes through tissues of the body. Examples include ultraviolet radiation, light, infrared radiation and radiofrequency radiation.

Must do's

Train your workers

Low level radiation is everywhere, and everyone is exposed to ‘background’ radiation, it is in the air we breathe and food we eat and technology we use.

Workers employed in industries where work is carried out around radiation sources or where radiation materials are used, must be provided with specialised training, resources - including safe work practices and risk controls in addition to licences, where required.

Workers who may be considered at risk of radiation exposure due to their industries include, but are not limited to:

Telecommunications/Broadcasting
Medical diagnostics/imaging
Industrial imaging/scanning
Crystallography (testing quality of materials)
Nuclear power stations

It is recommended that any worker who regularly works near these radiation sources should be equipped with a personal radiation monitor to monitor their individual level of exposure.

Licensing requirements

Ionising radiation

PCBU’s and workers who work with ionising radiation must have specialised training, hold the appropriate licences and comply with the conditions of that licence.

Ionising radiation licences are administered by:

ARPANSA who regulates and administers licences for radiation sources and facilities used and operated by Commonwealth entities; and
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) who administers and impose conditions on User licences and Radiation management licences to persons responsible for radiation materials.

Non-ionising radiation

According to ARPANSA, licences for non-ionising radiation are required where the source of radiation is a controlled apparatus, this includes but is not limited to;

a magnetic field non-destructive testing device
an induction heater or induction furnace
an industrial radiofrequency heater or welder
a radiofrequency plasma tube
microwave or radiofrequency diathermy equipment
an industrial microwave or radiofrequency processing system
an optical source, emitting ultraviolet radiation, infrared or visible light
a laser product with an accessible emission level more than the limit of a Class 3R laser product
an optical fibre communication system exceeding Hazard Level 3R

For further information on licences visit ARPANSA.

Guidance and advice

A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) has a duty of care under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation, to ensure the health safety of workers and others at the workplace. A PCBU can meet their duty of care by ensuring consultation, managing the risks, ensuring the provision of information, training and instruction, first aid to workers, emergency management, providing personal protective equipment (PPE), managing remote or isolated workers and providing health monitoring for workers (if required).

To demonstrate you have a safe system of work and are managing the risks to your workers and others, you must ensure you comply with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) requirements on ionising radiation, and follow the guidance material provided by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) on non-ionising radiation.

In particular:

Follow the ARPANSA Radiation Protection Series (RPS). The series covers off on areas such as the Fundamentals for protection against ionising radiation along with a number of codes and standards for radiation protection
Follow the EPA Management of Radiation in particular the Protection from Harmful Radiation Act 1990 (The Act) and Protection from Harmful Radiation Regulation 2013.

The harms of radiation

Ionising Radiation

Ionising radiation is more harmful than non-ionising radiation. If exposure occurs, however, exposure to such harmful levels (uncontrolled release) or material are uncommon.

Ionising radiation can result from either natural or artificial radioactive materials such as medical diagnostics (treatment for cancer and diseases), alpha, beta, gamma radiation or radon gas (materials that make up the composition of the earth) and nuclear weapons/power stations.

If an uncontrolled release and exposure was to occur from either Ionising radiation or Radioactive material; an extreme dose exposure will result in death within days or weeks, as all vital systems would be severely damaged and shut down. High dose exposure is likely to impair the function of vital organs and the body’s ability to fight infection. Acute health effects include burns, nausea/vomiting and skin and deep tissue burns.

Radioactive substance control

Radioactive substance control issues fall under the Protection from Harmful Radiation Act 1990. This comes under the jurisdiction of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) who can be contacted on telephone: 131 555, or via their website.

In providing a safe system of work in the context of ionising radiation, SafeWork NSW expects that a PCBU will comply with all applicable licence requirements of the EPA.

Non-ionising radiation

The most common harms are likely to be from non-ionising radiation sources such as ultraviolet, welding arc flashes, micro waves and laser equipment, and to a lesser extent, Radiofrequency which falls on the Electromagnetic spectrum. Such exposures can cause burns, cancer (mutation/damage of cells) or blindness in extreme cases, if appropriate safety measures and controls are not in place.

In providing a safe system of work in the context of electromagnetic radiation, SafeWork NSW expects that a PCBU will apply and monitor the applicable ARPANSA Radiation Protection Series document.