Health Surveillance Technician for Radiation Workers
Get in touchAt Health Surveillance Technician, we provide essential workplace monitoring services for employees who may be exposed to ionising radiation .
Our team includes staff in healthcare, nuclear energy, industrial testing, research laboratories, and manufacturing.
Radiation exposure carries long-term risks such as increased cancer incidence and damage to blood cells or organs.
To manage these risks, the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17) require employers to provide health surveillance.
Our health assessment technicians support this process, helping keep workers safe and ensuring businesses remain compliant.
Request a free quote for a health surveillance technician for radiation workers today.
Why Is Health Surveillance Important for Radiation Workers?
Radiation exposure often has no immediate symptoms, but its long-term effects can be life-changing.
Health surveillance allows early detection of any health changes, ensuring that intervention can take place before serious illness develops.
For employees, regular monitoring provides reassurance that their well-being is protected.
For employers, it demonstrates compliance with IRR17 and reduces the risk of enforcement action or liability claims.
What Does a Health Surveillance Technician Do for Radiation Workers?
A health surveillance technician assists by carrying out initial questionnaires, reviewing exposure histories, and recording symptoms.
They help ensure workers understand the importance of reporting health concerns and reinforce safe working practices, such as the correct use of shielding and dosimetry.
While medical assessments are overseen by an appointed occupational health physician, technicians play a key role in keeping accurate records and escalating concerns.
How Often Should Health Assessments for Radiation Workers Be Carried Out?
Classified radiation workers must undergo a baseline medical examination by an appointed doctor before starting their role.
Annual reviews are then required, with full medical examinations carried out at least every five years.
If a worker reports symptoms or their radiation dose monitoring indicates elevated exposure, additional checks may be arranged.
Our health surveillance technicians ensures that these reviews are scheduled and recorded in line with IRR17.
What Is the Cost of Health Surveillance for Radiation Workers?
The cost of health surveillance for radiation is from £80 to £120 per employee.
while full medical examinations, required at least every five years, may range from £150 to £250+ per employee.
The cost of health surveillance for radiation workers depends on whether the checks involve annual reviews only or full medical examinations by an appointed doctor
Large employers with multiple classified workers often benefit from bespoke packages that reduce costs.
Considering the high risks of radiation exposure, this investment is small compared to the consequences of illness, legal penalties, or HSE enforcement.
What Are the Benefits of Health Surveillance for Radiation Workers?
The key benefit of radiation assessments is that it ensures early detection of radiation-related health issues while keeping employers compliant with the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17).
Key benefits include:
Detects early health problems linked to radiation exposure.
Provides reassurance and peace of mind to workers in high-risk roles.
Ensures compliance with the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017.
Maintains accurate long-term health and exposure records.
Supports early intervention, reducing the impact of potential illness.
What Symptoms Do Technicians Monitor in Radiation Workers?
While many effects of radiation are long-term, technicians monitor for symptoms that may indicate health changes.
These include persistent fatigue, unexplained skin changes, unusual blood test results, or other non-specific signs of illness.
At Health Surveillance Technician, we also review occupational exposure histories to look for patterns or risks.
Any concerns are escalated to an appointed doctor for further medical investigation.
Is Health Surveillance for Radiation Workers a Legal Requirement?
Under IRR17, employers must ensure that radiation workers undergo appropriate health surveillance.
We include baseline medicals, annual reviews, and detailed record keeping.
Health records must be retained for at least 50 years because of the long latency of radiation-related illnesses.
Non-compliance can result in HSE enforcement, significant fines, and reputational damage.
What Happens If Abnormal Results Are Found During Surveillance?
If health checks or medical examinations reveal abnormalities linked to radiation exposure, the case is escalated immediately to the appointed occupational health physician.
The worker may be referred for further medical investigations such as blood tests, imaging, or specialist assessments.
Depending on the outcome, the employee may be temporarily removed from radiation work to prevent further exposure.
Employers must act on medical advice and review their control measures promptly to remain compliant with IRR17.
How Long Must Records for Radiation Workers Be Kept?
Health surveillance records for radiation workers must be retained for at least 50 years due to the long latency of radiation-related illnesses.
Records include medical assessments, exposure histories, annual reviews, and any follow-up referrals.
These documents must be stored securely and be available for inspection by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Long-term record keeping ensures that both employees and employers are protected if health issues develop decades later.
How Does Dosimetry Work with Health Surveillance?
Dosimetry (the measurement of an individual’s radiation dose) is a key part of protecting radiation workers.
Personal dosimeters worn by staff record exposure levels over time.
A health surveillance technician ensures that results from dosimetry are integrated into employee health records and reviewed alongside medical checks.
If exposure exceeds safe thresholds, further investigations are arranged. This combined approach ensures that monitoring is both proactive and reactive.
Which Industries Require Health Surveillance for Radiation Workers?
Health surveillance is required in any sector where employees are classified as radiation workers.
We include hospitals and clinics using X-rays and nuclear medicine, nuclear power generation, industrial radiography, research laboratories, and some manufacturing environments where radioactive materials are used.
Even outside of high-profile industries, smaller research and dental facilities may require surveillance depending on the level of exposure risk.
Can Health Surveillance Reduce Risks for Radiation Workers?
Regular surveillance helps reduce risks by providing early warnings of potential health effects and reinforcing safe working practices.
When combined with engineering controls, shielding, dosimetry, and PPE, health surveillance forms part of a comprehensive risk management system.
It reassures workers that their well-being is prioritised, helps employers avoid enforcement action, and ultimately reduces the likelihood of long-term occupational illnesses.
Do All Radiation Workers Need Health Surveillance?
Not every worker exposed to radiation requires the same level of surveillance.
Under IRR17, only employees classified as “radiation workers”, those likely to receive significant doses, must undergo medicals and annual reviews.
Even non-classified workers may benefit from periodic health checks, especially if exposure levels are close to regulatory thresholds.
Employers must base this decision on a thorough risk assessment.
What Is the Difference Between an Annual Review and a Full Medical?
An annual review is a shorter health check, usually involving a questionnaire and discussion about any symptoms or concerns, overseen by the appointed doctor or supported by a technician.
A full medical examination is more detailed and must be carried out at least every five years, including a full occupational history and sometimes clinical tests.
Both reviews and medicals work together to ensure long-term health protection for radiation workers.
How Are Employees Informed About Their Health Surveillance Results?
Employees are informed directly by the occupational health professional or appointed doctor about their results.
If everything is normal, results are simply recorded and monitored over time.
If concerns are identified, the worker receives further guidance and may be referred for additional medical tests.
Workers always have the right to request access to their records, and results are handled confidentially in line with data protection laws.
What Training Supports Health Surveillance for Radiation Workers?
Training is an essential part of radiation protection.
Workers are trained on safe handling of radioactive materials, correct use of PPE, and the importance of wearing dosimeters.
Health surveillance sessions are also an opportunity for technicians to reinforce this training, reminding staff about reporting symptoms and following safe systems of work.
By combining surveillance with training, employers strengthen compliance and safety culture.
Can Health Surveillance Help Employers Avoid HSE Enforcement?
Maintaining a structured health surveillance programme for radiation is one of the clearest ways to demonstrate compliance with IRR17.
If the HSE inspects a workplace, they will expect to see evidence of health records, annual reviews, and compliance with dose limits.
Failure to provide this can result in enforcement notices, fines, or even prosecution.
Regular health surveillance, therefore, helps employers avoid penalties and maintain safe operations.
Request a Free Quote
At Health Surveillance Technician , we deliver reliable and compliant health monitoring services for radiation that protect staff from long-term health risks while supporting employers in meeting their legal obligations.
Our health survey technicians ensure health checks are performed accurately, records are properly maintained, and concerns are escalated without delay.
Contact the Health Surveillance Technician for a free consultation and schedule a radiation health survey today.
Other Services We Offer
At Health Surveillance Technician, we offer a wide range of services; some of these include:
Health Surveillance Technician for Lead Exposure
Health Surveillance Technician for Skin Checks
Health Surveillance Technician for Asbestos
Health Surveillance Technician for Bakery Workers
Health Surveillance Technician for Benzene
Health Surveillance Technician for Silica Exposure
Health Surveillance Technician for Formaldehyde
Health Surveillance Technician for COSHH
Health Surveillance Technician for Dermatitis
Health Surveillance Technician for Mental Health