Lasers & Other Non-Ionising Radiations

News

A change in the regulation of lasers and intense-pulsed light (IPL) sources on people is planned for 1^st October 2010. Some activities which currently must be registered under the Care Standards Act 2000 will become exempt, including many cosmetic uses. See CQC guidance for details.

External Guidance & Current Legislation

Lasers

• Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations 2010
• Explanatory Memorandum to CAOR Regs 2010


• Explanatory Notes to Care Standards Act
• The Private and Voluntary Health Care (England) Regulations 2001
• The National Care Standards Commission (Fees and Frequency of Inspections) Regulations 2001
• DoH - Independent Health Care - National Minimum Standards- a statement of national minimum standards published by the Secretary of State for Health under section 23(1) of the Care Standards Act 2000 (Feb 02).


• EU Physical Agents (artificial optical radiation) Directive 2006
• A Non-Binding Guide to the Artificial Optical Radiation Directive 2006/25/EC (HPA) (mirror)
• MHRA Guidance on the safe use of lasers, intense light source systems & LEDs in medical, surgical, dental & aesthetic practices
• The Private and Voluntary Health Care (England) Amendment Regulations 2008

Non-ionizing & non-optical radiation (EMF, B-fields, etc.)

• ICNIRP - International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection
• ICNIRP - EMF reference levels (1998)
• ICNIRP - Static magnetic fields reference levels (2009)



• Health Protection Agency (Radiation) - HPA, formerly NRPB
• Power Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, Melatonin and the Risk of Breast Cancer (RCE-1) (2006)
• NRPB - W62 Exposure of the General Public to Radio Waves near Microcell and Picocell Base Stations for Mobile Telecommunications (2004)
• NRPB - W65 A Summary of Recent Reports on Mobile Phones and Health (2000-2004) (2004)



• IEGMP - Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

• MRI Physics Lectures - Dr Gary Liney
• HPA Protection of Patients and Volunteers Undergoing MRI Procedures (RCE-7)
• MHRA DB 2007(03) Safety Guidelines for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Equipment in Clinical Use

Warning Signs to download

laser warning symbol

laser warning symbol

High intensity magnetic or electromagnetic field (EMF) warning symbol

Ultraviolet warning symbol

RF radiation

Site Created on 5/09/09.
Previous version may still be accessible at www.hey.nhs.uk/hullrad
Site co-ordinator: John Saunderson