Product Overview

Summary: This Radiation Safety Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical steps for managing ionising and non-ionising radiation risks in Australian workplaces. It helps organisations control exposures, comply with WHS and radiation protection laws, and protect workers, patients, visitors and contractors from preventable harm.

Radiation work is tightly regulated in Australia, and for good reason: uncontrolled exposure can lead to acute injury, long‑term health effects and significant legal consequences. This Radiation Safety Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step‑by‑step framework for planning, conducting and supervising work with ionising radiation (such as X‑ray, gamma and beta sources) and relevant non‑ionising sources (such as high‑powered lasers and UV equipment). It translates complex regulatory requirements into clear actions that frontline staff, supervisors and managers can consistently follow.

The SOP covers the full lifecycle of radiation use, from risk assessment and facility access control through to equipment checks, personal monitoring, incident response and recordkeeping. It is designed to support compliance with Australian WHS legislation and state and territory radiation control laws, while aligning with ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principles for exposure minimisation. By implementing this procedure, organisations can demonstrate due diligence, standardise training, reduce reliance on informal practices and provide a defensible framework in the event of audits, inspections or incidents.

Whether you operate medical imaging suites, industrial radiography units, research laboratories or veterinary X‑ray facilities, this SOP helps you embed radiation safety into everyday operations. It clarifies roles and responsibilities, specifies mandatory controls such as shielding, time and distance management, PPE and dosimetry, and sets out what to do when something goes wrong—such as lost sources, unexpected exposure or equipment malfunction—so your team can respond quickly and confidently.

Key Benefits

• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS and radiation protection legislation, licences and registration conditions.
• Reduce the risk of accidental radiation exposure to workers, patients, students, visitors and contractors.
• Standardise radiation safety practices across departments, locations and shifts for consistent, auditable performance.
• Strengthen preparedness for radiation incidents through clear emergency and notification procedures.
• Support efficient onboarding and refresher training by providing a single, authoritative reference for radiation work.

Who is this for?

• Radiation Safety Officers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Medical Imaging Managers
• Radiologists and Radiographers
• Nuclear Medicine Technologists
• Radiation Oncologists and Therapy Radiographers
• Laboratory Managers (research and pathology)
• Industrial Radiographers and NDT Technicians
• Engineering and Maintenance Supervisors
• University and Research Facility Managers
• Veterinary Practice Managers using X-ray equipment
• Health Service Executive and Practice Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure to ionising radiation from X‑ray, gamma, beta and other sealed or unsealed sources
• Cumulative dose leading to long‑term health effects such as cancer and tissue damage
• Acute radiation burns or deterministic effects from high‑dose incidents
• Uncontrolled access to radiation areas by untrained or unauthorised persons
• Loss, theft or misplacement of radioactive sources or radiation‑emitting equipment
• Contamination from unsealed radioactive materials in laboratories or clinical settings
• Non‑ionising radiation exposure from high‑powered lasers and UV equipment
• Electrical and mechanical hazards associated with radiation‑emitting plant and equipment
• Psychological stress and anxiety following real or perceived over‑exposure events

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Types of Radiation
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Authority (including Radiation Safety Officer)
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Licensing Requirements
• 5.0 Radiation Risk Assessment and Planning
• 6.0 Facility Requirements, Signage and Access Control
• 7.0 Radiation Shielding, Time and Distance Controls
• 8.0 Personal Protective Equipment and Dosimetry
• 9.0 Pre‑Use Checks and Commissioning of Radiation Equipment
• 10.0 Safe Operating Procedures for Ionising Radiation (X‑ray, gamma, beta, sealed and unsealed sources)
• 11.0 Safe Operating Procedures for Non‑Ionising Radiation (lasers, UV and other sources, where applicable)
• 12.0 Handling, Storage, Transport and Security of Radioactive Materials
• 13.0 Management of Contamination and Decontamination Procedures
• 14.0 Incident, Near Miss and Over‑Exposure Response
• 15.0 Emergency Procedures, Notifications and Escalation
• 16.0 Health Monitoring, Dose Limits and Exposure Investigation
• 17.0 Training, Competency and Authorisation of Personnel
• 18.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Calibration of Radiation Equipment
• 19.0 Recordkeeping, Reporting and Audit Requirements
• 20.0 Review, Consultation and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act and Regulations (as implemented in relevant state or territory)
• ARPANSA Radiation Protection Series (RPS) documents, including RPS C‑1: Radiation Protection in Medical Uses of Ionizing Radiation
• ARPANSA Code of Practice for Radiation Protection in the Medical Applications of Ionizing Radiation
• AS/NZS 2243.4: Safety in laboratories – Ionizing radiations
• AS/NZS 2243.5: Safety in laboratories – Non-ionizing radiations
• AS/NZS 4543 series: Safety of laser products
• Safe Work Australia – Managing risks of plant in the workplace Code of Practice
• State and Territory Radiation Safety / Radiation Control Acts and Regulations (e.g. Radiation Control Act 1990 (NSW), Radiation Safety Act 1999 (QLD))