National Standard for Limiting Exposure to Ionising Radiation
National Standard for Limiting Occupational Exposure to Ionising Radiation [NOHSC: 1013 (1995)] - ARPANSA Radiation Protection Series No. 1
This National Standard for Limiting Occupational Exposure to Ionizing Radiation will serve to identify the provisions which are to be made in the regulations of States, Territories and the Commonwealth for the control of occupational exposure to radiation. It is recognised that legislation, including regulations, may already exist which covers all or part of the scope of this Standard. It is also recognised that it may not be appropriate to take up this Standard verbatim because of differing legislative frameworks and drafting conventions in each State and Territory and in the Commonwealth. However, it is expected that the implementation of the provisions contained in this Standard will be nationally consistent. This Standard deals only with occupational health and safety matters related to exposure to ionizing radiation; the appropriate authority should be consulted about other radiation control requirements which may apply.
The complementary Recommendations for Limiting Exposure to Ionizing Radiation [NOHSC: 3022(1995)] (PDF 1558kB) is a guidance note which describes the principles and practice on which this Standard is based and provides interpretive and reference material. Technical terms used in this Standard have the meaning given in the Glossary. It should be noted that one of the established principles of radiation protection is the concept of 'optimisation' of exposure to ionizing radiation, that is, the requirement to keep exposures as low as reasonably achievable; economic and social factors being taken into account. This concept is compatible with occupational health and safety standards in other fields which require safety measures to be undertaken to an extent that is 'practicable'. Optimisation of protection is also compatible with the concept of minimizing risk to health, used in other occupational health and safety contexts.
In applying the requirements of the Standard relating to pregnant employees, care should be taken to avoid unlawful discrimination on the basis of sex. Men and women may be treated differently for a legitimate reason, provided that it involves no less favourable treatment for one or the other.
Copy of the National Standard
National Standard for Limiting Occupational Exposure to Ionising Radiation [NOHSC: 1013 (1995)] – ARPANSA Radiation Protection Series No.1: Republished March 2002 (PDF 1558kB)
History of the Development of the National Standard
The National Standard for Limiting Exposure to Ionising Radiation was jointly developed in 1995 by both the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), and the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC). NOHSC declared the standard on 23 March 1995 and endorsed the Recommendations as a NOHSC guidance note. The NHMRC adopted the Recommendations and endorsed the standard on 7 June 1995.
The standard, together with the recommendations and a guidance note were published in a joint NHMRC and NOHSC publication as No. 39 in the Radiation Health Series. The NHMRC responsibilities have recently passed to the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), as the lead agency for the Commonwealth and nuclear and radiation matters and the standard has been rebadged as a NOHSC/ARPANSA standard and republished in March 2002. A revised joint document is available from the ARPANSA website at the following link:
http://www.health.gov.au/arpansa/rps_pubs.htm
It should be noted that the purpose, intent and information of the 1995 NOHSC National Standard has not changed but that minor administrative changes have occurred to reflect the change from the NHMRC to ARPANSA and updates in contact details, badging, etc.
Page last updated: 22/07/2008