ARPANSA - Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency

Draft Code of Practice for Safe Use of Radiation in Veterinary Science

ARPANSA is releasing the above draft Code of Practice for a period of public comment. The Code establishes requirements for radiation protection in veterinary science. X-rays and radionuclides are used for the diagnosis and treatment of animals, and in research in veterinary science. In such circumstances, there is the potential for those involved to be exposed to radiation hazards. Hazardous laser radiation is also used in veterinary science. Guidance is needed on the protective measures and procedures that should be adopted to ensure that such exposure is kept as low as reasonably achievable and below the limits prescribed. It is intended that these requirements will be adopted by Commonwealth, State and Territory jurisdictions.

This Code of Practice, when finalised, will replace two Codes from the former NHMRC Radiation Health Series. These are RHS No. 3, Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Ionizing Radiation in Veterinary Radiology: Parts 1 and 2 (1982) and RHS No. 10, Code of Practice for Safe Use of Ionizing Radiation in Veterinary Radiology: Part 3 – Radiotherapy (1984). This draft Code details the requirements that must be followed in the use of radiation in veterinary science.

The draft publication was developed by a working group of the Radiation Health Committee, as part of the Committee’s role in formulating draft national policies, codes and standards for consideration by the Commonwealth, States and the Territories. An accompanying Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS), to meet the requirements of the Principles and Guidelines for National Standard-setting and Regulatory Action by Ministerial Councils and Standard-setting Bodies, published by the Council of Australian Governments in June 2004, has also been released for comment.

The following documents provide essential information to assist public submissions:

• Invitation to Comment (PDF 26kb)
• Draft Code of Practice for Safe Use of Radiation in Veterinary Science (PDF 571kb)
• Regulatory Impact Statement Consultation Draft (PDF 261kb)

The closing date for submissions has now been extended. Submissions on both the Draft Code of Practice and the Regulatory Impact Statement will be accepted until 7 October 2005. Submissions should be forwarded to:

Mr Alan Melbourne
Manager
Standards Development and Committee Support Section
ARPANSA
619 Lower Plenty Road
Yallambie VIC 3085

Or by email to: secretariat@arpansa.gov.au (Electronic submissions are preferred)

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

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