The British Institute of
Radiology (BIR) has produced posters, videos and a book on personal protective
equipment (PPE) for staff working with radiation, to help reduce exposure to
diagnostic X-rays and develop radiation safety knowledge
in and beyond the radiology department. The guidance gives practical advice on
how staff should select, wear and store their PPE. Importantly it gives clear advice
on how to comply with regulations, and prepare a risk assessment.
It is crucial that protective
aprons, head and eye wear are worn and fitted correctly to protect the body
against dangerous radiation levels. If stored incorrectly, the equipment can become
damaged and that immediately reduces its effectiveness.
The book, Personal Protective Equipment for Diagnostic X-ray Use, is a
practical guide to using and caring for PPE and is written by Peter A Hiles,
Helen Hughes, Denise Arthur and Colin J Martin as part of a BIR Working Party with
support from the BIR Radiation Safety Special Interest Group (SIG). Products
created in conjunction with the book are two A2 sized posters, Caring for your PPE and Wearing your PPE and three videos, Wear and Fit, Care and Storage and Screening
PPE.
Peter Hiles, co-author and Chair
of the BIR Radiation Safety SIG said, “We have a duty to ourselves and to our
teams to ensure radiation safety at all times. These are essential resources
for anyone who enters the X-ray room from newly qualified to experienced staff.
Please ensure they are on display and in use by everyone in your team”.
Jacqueline Fowler, Chief
Executive, BIR, said “We are delighted to support healthcare staff with these
much-needed resources and we are grateful to our Radiation Safety SIG for
raising this as an area of concern”.
Warren Goodall, Business
Development Manager at Midland Lead Healthcare says “Midland Lead Healthcare are
very pleased to support the BIR in producing this resource which educates and
reminds staff of the importance of radiation safety in their day to day
work”.
The book and posters are
available to purchase from https://birorgukportal.force.com/BookList
(special discount for BIR members) and the videos
can be viewed for free on the PPE resources page: http://www.birpublications.org/ppe.
We are grateful for the support
of Midland Lead Healthcare to produce the PPE posters and videos.
Source & Image Credit: The British Institute of Radiology