A radiation risk assessment is required in the UK whenever work involves ionising radiation. Under the Ionising Radiation Regulation 2017, it must be completed before starting any new activity involving radioactive substances or radiation‑producing equipment and must be reviewed if there are significant changes (e.g. new equipment or process changed, etc.). For X-Ray generating equipment, additional information is provided in SOP-29: Management of X-Ray Generating Equipment. 

Electron Microscopes 

Electron Microscopes (SEM and TEM) are classed as X-ray Generating Equipment. As a result, additional requirements under the Ionising Radiation Regulation 2017 (IRR17) apply: 

• A radiation risk assessment must be available for the equipment. As most electron microscopes have the same level of hazards, you can use the University standard radiation risk assessment that has been created for this specific type of instruments. Note that if these are used with radioactive samples, a specific radiation risk assessment may need to be created using the radiation risk assessment template. 

• A warning sign must be posted on the equipment to inform the users/operators of the hazards 

• A critical examination (i.e. checks to ensure the equipment is safe) must be carried out and a copy sent to radiation@manchester.ac.uk. If you need support conducting a critical examination, please contact radiation@manchester.ac.uk.   

• The users/operators should also complete a radiation safety training. To facilitate this, the Radiation Safety Unit has created an Electron and Ion Beam Radiation Safety Training on Canvas platform that cover this need. 

• Visual checks must be performed regularly. An example of a Visual checklist is available here.  

Other low risk X-ray generating equipment 

Examples of low-risk X-ray generating equipment include ion milling devices, electron beam evaporator/lithography and cathode ray tube devices. These typically operate at 30 kV or below and are fully shielded.   

Although these devices are considered low risk, they are still classed as X-ray Generating Equipment. This means that additional requirements under the Ionising Radiation Regulation 2017 (IRR17) apply: 

• A radiation risk assessment must be available for the equipment. Please use the radiation risk assessment template. 

• A warning sign must be posted on the equipment to inform the users/operators of the hazards. 

• A critical examination (i.e. checks to ensure the equipment is safe) must be carried out and a copy sent to radiation@manchester.ac.uk. If you need support conducting a critical examination, please contact radiation@manchester.ac.uk.   

• The users/operators should also complete a radiation safety training. To facilitate this, the Radiation Safety Unit has created an Electron and Ion Beam Radiation Safety Training on Canvas platform that cover this need. 

• Visual checks must be performed regularly. An example of a Visual checklist is available here.  

Example of Radiation risk assessment for such devices are given below: 

• Example radiation risk assessment - Ion milling device  

X-ray Cabinet, X-ray Bay and other X-ray generating equipment 

This includes X-ray cabinets such as XRD, or X-ray irradiator, as well as portable or cabinet XRF, etc. or any equipment that emits X-rays with a potential difference above 30 kV and where X-ray radiation can be accessed (i.e. X-ray can be emitted while the cabinet door is open).  

Please use the radiation risk assessment template for all future RRAs. Examples of RRA are available: 

• Example radiation risk assessment – Cabinet X-ray  

• Example radiation risk assessment – Cabinet X-Bay  

In addition, a controlled area sign must be displayed: 

• X-ray Cabinet controlled area sign 

• X-ray Bay controlled area sign  

These X-ray devices are subject to regular checks and example of such checks are available: annual self-inspection survey, Visual checks and Weekly/Monthly checks. 

Other information 

Below are some old examples of Risk Assessments; however, note that the order of the sections in these documents is incorrect and and can be used for guidance only. The current RRA template must be used for all new RRAs. RSU will upload new examples once available.

Generic risk assessment for work with P-32 

Generic risk assessment for work with soft beta emitters 

Generic risk assessment for work with tritium 

Generic risk assessment for work with U and Th 

Supplementary / focussed radiation risk assessments

Local Rules and a Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS) are required if the radiation risk assessment identifies that the area needs to be designated as a controlled or supervised area. 

Local Rules 

Please use the Local Rules template. A few examples are also available: 

• Example Local Rules – X-ray Cabinet 

• Example Local Rules – X-ray Bay 

Contingency plans 

In addition, when there are contingency plans as stated in the Local Rules, these must be rehearsed regularly. Please follow the SOP-27: Local Contingency Plan Rehearsal and this example of a contingency plan rehearsal record.

RPS 

Radiation Protection Supervisor must be appointed in writing in controlled and supervised areas. More information is available on INF-19: Scope of Radiation Protection Supervisor Role. 

The appointment can be completed using the RPS Appointment Letter template. 

SOP-11: ONR Accountancy & Control Plan, and User Guide

SOP-12: Acquisition of Actinides and Fissile Materials

SOP-15: Movement of Radioactive Sources on Campus

SOP-16: The Receipt of Consigned Radioactive Sources

SOP-23: Purchase of Radioactive Sources

SOP-24: Radioactive Source Handling and Accounting

SOP-25: Radioactive Waste Disposal

SOP-26: Apply for a Local Permit

SOP-27: Local Contingency Plan Rehearsal 

SOP-28: Handover of Designated Area and/or Equipment / Template Handover Form 

SOP-29: Management of X-Ray Generating Equipment 

SOP-30: Designation and De-designation of Radiation Areas 

SOP-32: Dosimetry Selection and Management

SOP-34: What to do if you find radioactive material or artefacts of unknown origin (NEW! - added January 2026)

Information sheets and checklists are developeded to help RPSs and responsible persons (or radiation workers) to manage their radiactive lab/area.

Self inspection checklist: Unsealed sources and X-ray generators

INF-02: Radiation laboratory design guidance note

INF-03: Area designation, hazard warning signs and symbols

INF-04: Source security and key control

INF-05: Designated sinks and drainage

INF-06: Retention of records

INF-07: Radionuclide data sheet

INF-08: When is uranium and thorium not radioactive

INF-13: Radiation Monitors: Probe Choice and Calibration

INF-18: Classified Radiation Workers: Designation and Arrangements [New November 2025]

INF-19: Scope of Radiation Protection Supervisor Role [April 2026]

RPS Health and Safety Committee Report Form

Ionising Radiation Safety Signs

Please find template signs here and for an X-ray cabinet controlled area (June 2025) here.

The signs are in a fillable PDF template file: they have to be amended with with names, rooms, contact numbers. Customise your signs and print out.

Printing options are obviously dependent upon the paper you require i.e. 'normal' paper that can be sandwiched in a sign holder or laminated, tamper-proof or waterproof adhesive paper.

Signs are to RGB colours and their design compliant with:

• BS ISO 3864-3: 2012 Graphical symbols - safety colours and safety signs: Part 3 Design principles for graphical symbols for use in safety signs.
• BS EN ISO 7010: 2012 Graphical symbols – safety colours and safety signs – registered safety signs (ISO 7010: 2011).
• The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 SI 1996 (341) (HSE L64).

The wording in blue boxes can be changed. If variants are required please contact Radiation Safety Unit (56982).

QR codes provide access to further advice, guidance or information.

Signs are designed to be used as A4 or A5.