Radiation

Radiation is energy transmitted in the form of waves (electromagnetic or pressure) or particles.

Radiation can be emitted by:

• X-ray equipment
• Ultrasound equipment
• Lasers
• Ultraviolet devices
• Radiofrequency/radar emitting devices
• Microwave emitting devices
• Infrared emitting devices

The Saskatchewan Employment Act and The Radiation Health and Safety Regulations, 2005 outline the rights and responsibilities of owners, installers, operators and contractors of X-ray facilities.

Rights and responsibilities include:

• providing notification to the Radiation Safety Unit within 25 business days of installing or substantially altering radiation equipment;
• submitting a facility shielding plan to the Radiation Safety Unit before new X-ray equipment is installed in all new clinics and in clinics where substantial alterations are being made;
• ensuring all operators of equipment are formally trained and qualified;
• posting radiation hazard signage that is readable;
• having a qualified person inspect radiation equipment as specified in The Radiation Health and Safety Regulations, 2005;
• reporting inspection results to the Radiation Safety Unit within 30 days of the date of inspection; and
• limiting the radiation exposure of workers and the public.

Owners, installers and contractors of X-ray facilities are required to design and submit an X-ray shielding plan to the Radiation Safety Unit.

The Shielding Manual: Plan approval guidelines for X-ray installation guides owners, installers and contractors in the design and construction of facilities that will house X-ray equipment. The guide contains a summary of processes and requirements for submitting a plan. The guide also has links to information and checklists required for the installation of lead shielding.

A complete list of the checklists and forms is also available on the Publications Centre.

Please allow at least two weeks for the plan approval submission to be processed and approved. Establishment or alteration of an X-ray installation can only proceed after a radiation health officer has provided written approval.

Owners, installers and contractors of medical, dental, chiropractic, veterinary, and industrial X-ray facilities must provide the Radiation Safety Unit with notification when installing, substantially altering or inspecting radiation equipment.

X-ray Registration

Owners of ionizing radiation equipment, including X-ray equipment, are required to provide the Radiation Safety Unit with details of their equipment using the X-ray Registration Form. This form can be used to register new equipment, de-register old equipment or update equipment information already registered. The form must be submitted within 25 business days of installation or substantial alteration to the equipment.

Ultrasound Registration

Owners of medical ultrasound equipment are required to provide the Radiation Safety Unit with the details of their equipment using the Ultrasound Registration Form B.

Safety and Preventive Maintenance

Owners of medical, chiropractic, dental, and veterinary x-ray equipment are required to arrange for a safety and preventive maintenance inspection. The inspection must be completed by a journeyperson holding a valid licence.

The results of all testing must be submitted to the Radiation Safety Unit within 30 days of the inspection. The following forms may be used:

• Dental Safety and Preventive Maintenance Inspection Report - Intraoral
• Dental Safety and Preventive Maintenance Inspection Report - Panoramic - Conebeam CT
• Medical Safety Preventive Maintenance Form - Fluoroscopic
• Medical Safety Preventive Maintenance Form - General Radiographic

The minimum number of inspections per year is dependent on the type of equipment and is defined in section 14 of the regulations.

The Radiation Safety Unit helps ensure that owners and operators of radiation equipment and the public are not exposed to unnecessary amounts of radiation.

The Radiation Safety Institute of Canada and the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety also provide training and resource materials related to radiation safety in the workplace.