Request for Comment on Draft Code for Practice-Specific Requirements for Fixed and Portable Radiation Gauges

Overview

As the Australian Government’s primary radiation protection authority, we influence the radiation codes, standards and guidelines which are adopted and implemented by state and territory regulators. Our Radiation Protection Series (RPS) is a group of documents that are informed by international best practice, and provide guidance on how to use or produce radiation safely in Australia. We’re currently updating one of our RPS codes and we are inviting your feedback from 16 December 2024 to 7 February 2025.

The draft code, Code for Practice-Specific Requirements for Fixed and Portable Radiation Gauges, brings together two existing codes:

• RPS 5: the Code of Practice and Safety Guide for Portable Density/Moisture Gauges Containing Radioactive Sources
• RPS 13: the Code of Practice and Safety Guide for Safe Use of Fixed Radiation Gauges

The draft code better aligns our guidance on how to safely use fixed and portable radiation gauges. Radiation gauges are used by industry for different applications such as the measurement of water in soil. The draft code provides guidance on but is not limited to:

• developing safe working procedures
• undertaking safety assessments
• maintaining records
• how to control the source
• the protection of workers
• staff training.

Please note that at present we are only seeking input on the draft Code. An associated Equipment Standard is currently being drafted, and will be provided for public consultation at a later date.

We invite input on both stylistic and technical aspects of the Code by practitioners, radiation protection professionals, and other interested parties through this Citizen Space portal. Public consultation will be available from 16 December 2024 to 7 February 2025.

All submissions will be held in a register of submissions, and unless marked confidential, may be made public.

Why your views matter

It is envisaged that the requirements set forth in this code will be enforced under the relevant radiation protection acts for each jurisdiction. These are:

• Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 (Commonwealth)
• Radiation Protection Act 2006 (ACT)
• Protection from Harmful Radiation Regulation 2013 (NSW)
• Radiation Protection Act 2004 (NT)
• Radiation Safety Act 1999 (QLD)
• Radiation Protection and Control Act 2021 (SA)
• Radiation Protection Act 2005 (Tas)
• Radiation Act 2005 (Vic)
• Radiation Safety Act 1975 (WA)