Radiation protection, infrequently known as radiological protection, is the science of safeguarding folk and the environment from the damaging consequences of ionizing radiation, which includes both particle radiation and high energy electric radiation. Ionizing radiation is generally used in industry and medication, but presents a significant health jeopardy.

It causes minute damage to living tissue, leading to skin burns and radiation sickness at high exposures and cancer, cancers and genetic damage at low exposures.Radiation protection practitioners give advice and direction about the probable hazards of ionising radiation , for example X-rays in addition to radioactive materials and waste. Practitioners use systematic strategies and kit to determine and monitor radiation, evaluate hazards and ensure the safeness of the office, the general public and the environment.

Companies are legally needed to obey H&S rules on radiation and may designate a radiation protection practitioner to recommend them of any legal wants. They also counsel bosses on radiation protection, design of facilities and projects and safety coaching.In the NHS and the nuclear industry, this role is generally known as health physicist but it may also be known as a radiation protection advisor.

Practitioners advising on non-ionising radiation ( e.g. Radar, cell-phone masts and lasers ) will be subject to new laws in 2010 ( The Physical Agents Directive ) leading to this sector probably changing into a separate consultant area in times to come.

Typical work activities Everyday work activities include :

* making sure that radiation safety rules are noted
* visiting corporations to provide radiation protection consultancy and writing reports primarily based on these visits
* applying guiding principles of H&S to obey important laws * liaising with management and the work-force ( including plant bosses, designers, engineers, lab staff, lecturers, accountants and other safety and health executives ) on matters of radiation safety and legislation
* drawing up safety policies and procedures
* monitoring and maintaining records of radiological and environmental conditions
* providing dosimetry service and measuring radiation, using both basic and complicated systematic clobber
* considering radiation hazards at work and advising on the design of plant, kit and waste disposal to guarantee safety.