BIR advises on safe use of PPE

BIR head of publishing Sophia Anderton, radiation safety special interest group chair and co-author Peter Hiles and Betsi Cadwaldar University Health Board radiographer and co-author Helen Hughes.

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 risk assessment.

Personal Protective Equipment for Diagnostic X-ray Use is written by Peter Hiles, Helen Hughes, Denise Arthur and Colin Martin as part of a BIR working party with support from the BIR radiation safety special interest group.  Alongside the book are two A2 posters about caring for and wearing your PPE and three videos titled ‘Wear and Fit’, ‘Care and Storage’ and ‘Screening PPE’.

Co-author Hiles, chair of the radiation safety SIG, said: “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.”

Please see the full report on page 17 in the November 2016 issue of RAD Magazine.