Revised Guidance on Managing Radioactive Substances in Schools

Heads of Science and Radiation Protection Supervisors (Schools) (RPSs) may already be aware that CLEAPSS/DCSF have issued updated guidance on managing radioactive substances in schools - 'Managing Ionising Radiations and Radioactive Substances in Schools, etc L93 (September 2008)'.

The full (downloadable) text of L93 is publicly available on the CLEAPSS website. Teachers with responsibility for management of radioactive sources and teachers who handle radioactive sources should both be familiar with relevant sections of L93.

Annexe 4 of the Secondary Science Health and Safety Code of Practice has now been revised to take account of the updated guidance document and summarises the key points of L93.

Actions

There are no significant changes from earlier guidance, but heads of science and RPSs should be aware of the following points:

1.	Schools should refer to the model risk assessments in section 7 of L93.
2.	Previous record keeping forms within the Secondary Science Health and Safety Code of Practice have been withdrawn and schools should use the model record forms available in section 5 of L93, in particular: Radioactive source history Use Log Audit record for radioactive sources and store
3.	Any schools that transport radioactive sources between sites (e.g. on split sites) must follow guidance on precautions to be taken, packaging, labelling and documentation, set out in section 10 of L93.

If there are any queries, contact the Children's Services Radiation Protection Officer (RPO) (John Mallott) or the Children's Services Health and Safety Adviser in the first instance.