Work safely with radiation and lasers

Radiation sources and lasers are used in research, teaching and clinical work at UQ.

If you work with radioactive substances, radiation apparatus or lasers, you must follow the Radiation Safety – Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management Procedure. 

These procedures ensure compliance with Queensland’s radiation licensing and regulation requirements. This includes individual responsibilities and certification for radiation laboratories, equipment and lasers.

For advice on legislation, procedures or any aspect of working with radiation and lasers, contact your area's Radiation Safety Officer (RSO), Laser Safety Officer (LSO), Non-therapeutic Laser Safety Officer (NT-LSO) or the University Radiation Protection Consultant (RPC).

Control and administration

  • Submit an RSO/LSO/NT-LSO appointment form 
  • If you're newly appointed as a Radiation or Laser Safety Officer (RSO/LSO/NT-LSO), complete the appointment form and email it to the HSW Division at hsw@uq.edu.au.

Radiation and laser safety committees 

To ensure a safe working environment for everyone handling these sources, UQ operates two dedicated committees: the Radiation Safety Committee and the Laser Safety Committee. These Committees bring together radiation users and health and safety experts to provide guidance, oversight, and support across the University. 

Microsoft Teams channels

If you are an officially appointed RSO, LSO, or NT-LSO, you will have access to Microsoft Teams channels for radiation and laser safety. These channels provide updates on all necessary information and the progress of relevant activities. 

If RSO/LSO/NT-LSOs have not yet been added to the network, you can get in touch with the HSWD Radiation Protection Consultant (RPC) at UQ Radiation Safety to gain access. 

Complete your annual radiation and laser audit

RSOs, LSOs or NT-LSOs must complete the radiation and laser audit checklist available on UQSafe.

To access the checklist, follow these steps: UQSafe > Dashboard > Complete a Checklist > HSW Inspections and Checklists > Radiation and Laser Safety Audit Checklist. 

For instructions on completing checklists, refer to the UQ Systems Training Hub Complete an Inspection / Checklist.

Control of radioactive materials 

Storing and securing radioactive material 

Radioactive material must be stored and used in certified locations. Storage areas for radioactive material stock solutions (e.g., freezers, refrigerators, cabinets) must be locked. If the storage location cannot be locked, a lock box must be installed and secured within the storage area. 

The RSO is responsible for updating radioactive material records in ChemInventory to ensure the database accurately reflects the current inventory. 

Conduct a radioactive laboratory survey

UQ requires routine surveys of areas where radioactive materials are used to detect contamination and measure radiation levels.

Surveys help identify spills and assess radiation hazards. Staff working with radioactive materials must follow accepted survey procedures.

Use the Radioactive Laboratory Survey Template (PDF, 334.54 KB) to document results.

Access radioisotope fact sheets

Radioisotope Fact sheets provide safety information for commonly used radioisotopes, including maximum limits for lab work and licensing requirements.

Download them from the Radiation Safety – Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management Procedure.

For information on other isotopes, contact the University RPC.

Radiation-producing devices 

A Radiation Producing Device (RPD) is any equipment designed to generate ionising radiation when powered. Some devices are intended to emit radiation deliberately, while others are designed to contain it. Improper use of these devices can create hazards, so strict safety controls are required to protect employees, patients, and the public. 

RPDs are generally classified into two categories: 

  • Medical devices: Devices used on humans or animals for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Examples include: 
    • Diagnostic X-ray machines (dentistry, imaging, BMD…) 
    • Therapeutic lasers 
  • Research devices: Devices not used on living humans or animals, typically for experimental or analytical purposes. Examples include: 
    • X-ray irradiators, diffraction, spectroscopy, and fluorescence units 
    • Electron microscopes 
    • Particle accelerators.

All radiation-producing devices must be registered with Queensland Radiation Health (QRH) before use. At the University, radiation-producing device registrations are managed by the RPC. Depending on the device type and intended application, requirements may include facility design specifications, worker training and protection measures, and operational procedures. 

Participate in personal monitoring 

Under Queensland radiation legislation, UQ is required to monitor the radiation dose of employees who may be exposed to ionising radiation as part of their job duties. 

Employees with potential occupational exposure may be assigned dosimeters to track their radiation dose. Depending on the type and level of exposure, this may include whole-body badges, ring dosimeters, or both. Individual dosimeters are collected monthly or quarterly, and the reported doses are reviewed by the local RSO. 

Calibrate radiation detection instruments 

Routine calibration of radiation detection instruments is a regulatory requirement and a condition of radioactive material licensing. All portable count rate meters (commonly called GM survey meters or “Geiger” counters) and exposure rate meters (commonly called ion chambers) must be calibrated annually. 

Ionizing radiation laboratories must be equipped with appropriate detectors. The RSO is responsible for ensuring that all equipment is current and properly calibrated. 

Minimise radiation exposure during pregnancy 

Employees who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy have additional health and safety considerations to minimise radiation exposure to their unborn child. 

Pregnant employees are not required to stop working with radiation; however, strict dose limits must be observed to ensure foetal safety. At UQ, the dose limits are as follows:

  • Radiation workers: 20 mSv per year averaged over 5 years
  • Pregnant workers: 1 mSv for the entire pregnancy
  • Non-radiation workers: 1 mSv per year.

Complete training and licensing

Before working with radioactive substances, radiation apparatus or lasers, you must complete training and may need a licence. Some courses are available on Workday:  

Unsealed radioactive substances

Analytical x-rays (XRD, XRF)

Diagnostic radiology (Density, CT, BMD, Radiography)

Non-therapeutic lasers

Therapeutic lasers

Manage inventory

ChemInventory for radiation and laser 

UQ uses the ChemInventory platform to track and update the location and status of radiation and laser equipment. It allows real-time device tracking and inventory management. The system is managed by the RPC, and all members of the radiation and laser safety networks are registered as users.

Unlike ChemInventory for chemicals (accessed via UQ SSO), this system uses your UQ email and a unique password. It is intended for RSOs, LSOs, and NT-LSOs responsible for managing radiation and laser sources in their schools or institutes.

Maintaining accurate records is a regulatory requirement under the Radiation Safety Act 1999 and is essential for risk management and hazard identification.

Register non-therapeutic lasers 

All Class 3, 3B and 4 non-therapeutic lasers must be registered.

Laser custodians must complete the non-therapeutic laser registration form (PDF, 171.02 KB) and submit it to the RPC and Local LSO, or to the RPC and HSW Lead/Manager/Coordinator (if no LSO is assigned). 

This is part of the annual audit process.

Approval of related research and projects

Get project approval for radiation and laser use

Projects involving ionising radiation, or Class 4 lasers in medical cosmetic or related procedures, must follow the Radiation Safety – Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management Procedure. 

Complete the relevant assessment form: 

Submit the form to your local RSO/LSO for review. They will forward it to the University Radiation Protection Consultant for final approval. Do not begin work until approval is granted.

Meet requirements for human or animal radiation exposure

If your project involves exposing humans or animals to radiation, you must comply with the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) codes of practice:

Non-ionising radiation 

Non-ionizing radiation doesn’t remove electrons from atoms but can cause burns through heat. Common sources at UQ include:

  • nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
  • magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • ultrasound
  • microwave ovens
  • UV lamps
  • induction heaters
  • transmission generators
  • wi-fi, mobile phones, cell antennas and more.

Most pose minimal risk during normal use.

Manage magnetic field hazards

Strong static magnetic fields created by fixed magnets or magnetic fluxes – as in NMR or MRI – can turn ferrous objects into dangerous projectiles. Keep metallic items, such as scissors, knives or oxygen cylinders, away and restrict access for individuals with metallic implants, pacemakers or electronic prosthetics.

Superconducting magnets require special handling due to cryogenic liquids.

Refer to the Magnetic Resonance Basic Safety Fact Sheet (PDF, 185.57 KB).

Use ultrasound safely

Ultrasound is a non-ionizing technique that uses high-frequency sound waves for medical imaging and diagnostics. It’s safe and widely used in obstetrics and cardiology.

See the Ultrasound Fact Sheet (PDF, 165.31 KB) for more details.

Ultraviolet (UV) source

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is non-ionising radiation with wavelengths between 100 and 400 nanometres (nm). It is invisible to the naked eye and is divided into three spectral regions:

  • UV-A (315–400 nm, near UV) – lowest hazard
  • UV-B (280–315 nm, middle UV) – moderate to high hazard
  • UV-C (100–280 nm, far UV) – highest hazard.

The primary natural source of UV radiation is the sun. Atmospheric filtering reduces most solar UV exposure at ground level to UV-A, with limited UV-B and essentially no UV-C.

In research laboratories, artificial UV sources (e.g., lamps, transilluminators, and specialised equipment) can emit across all three regions. While many laboratory sources are advertised as emitting specific wavelengths, they often emit a broader range at lower intensities. This hazard must be assessed as part of the risk assessment for the use of the related equipment.