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<p>Medical surveillance of classified radiation workers, as required by the Ionising
Radiation Regulations 2017 (IRR 17), is an assessment of an individual’s medical fitness
to work with ionising radiation. A classified radiation worker is a person who works
with ionising radiation who could be exposed to higher levels of ionising radiation
levels under both normal work and accident conditions. This assessment is performed
by a doctor appointed by the Health and Safety Executive. Appointed Doctors have training
in occupational medicine and have received additional training in the relevant aspects
of the nature and effects of ionising radiation.</p><p> </p><p>Medical surveillance
should occur prior to being classified and every 12 months thereafter, unless the
doctor specifies a shorter review period.</p><p> </p><p>Special Medical surveillance
by an Appointed Doctor must be arranged for any employee who has received, or is suspected
to have received, an overexposure to ionising radiation, whether or not they are a
classified person. The extent and nature of this will depend upon the circumstances
of each individual case.</p><p> </p><p>The employer decides which Appointed Doctor(s)
they will use to carry out medical surveillance. Whether or not the Appointed Doctor
is an employee of that organisation, or independent of it, is a matter for the employer
to decide upon.</p><p> </p><p>In the context of IRR 17, former armed services personnel
involved in nuclear testing would be considered in the same way as any other workers
exposed to ionising radiation in respect of the need for either medical surveillance
or special medical surveillance.</p>
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