Radiation Protection Practitioner

Radiation protection practitioners (RPPs) implement radiation protection programmes to keep workers, the public, and the environment safe from ionising radiation. The role spans two broad sectors: nuclear (power stations, decommissioning sites, research reactors) and non-nuclear (hospitals, industrial radiography, veterinary radiography, and manufacturing). In the nuclear sector — at sites operated by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), Sellafield Ltd, Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS), and EDF Energy's operating fleet — RPPs carry out routine and non-routine radiation surveys using dose-rate meters, contamination monitors, and air sampling equipment; write and review radiation protection documentation (Local Rules, Radiation Risk Assessments, Radiation Work Permits); manage contamination control areas; investigate dose incidents and overexposures; and advise radiological supervisors and workers on safe working practices.

In the hospital sector, RPPs (often called radiation protection supervisors at lower levels) support medical physics and clinical radiology departments by monitoring designated areas, managing classified worker dose records, and reviewing source security procedures for radioactive sealed sources used in brachytherapy and nuclear medicine.

The Society for Radiological Protection (SRP) operates a professional registration scheme with three levels: TechRadP (Technician), IRadP (Individual), and CRadP (Corporate). The Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) is a separately regulated role requiring appointment under the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 — senior RPPs may progress to RPA qualification via the RPA2000 scheme. The chronic undersupply of qualified RPPs in the UK nuclear industry — recognised by the Nuclear Skills Strategy Group — makes this a high-demand role with genuine career security. The role is distinct from the nuclear safety inspector (regulatory/government role) and the health physicist (research focus).

Sellafield's decommissioning programme alone represents a ninety-year funded government commitment — the largest and most complex nuclear clean-up project in the world — requiring radiation protection expertise throughout. The UK's new nuclear build programme (Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C) will extend RPP demand beyond the decommissioning sector. Regulatory requirements under IRR17 mandate that all radiation employers appoint Radiation Protection Advisers and maintain radiation protection programmes — there is no scenario in which this work can be contracted away or automated. The SRP registration scheme creates a structured professional progression that rewards experience. The nuclear sector shortage of RPPs is acknowledged by both NDA and the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).

Morning: review radiation work permits (RWPs) for the day's outage tasks in the plant — check that dose estimates, contamination levels, and personal protective equipment requirements are correctly specified. Site survey: carry out a routine contamination survey of the active maintenance workshop — wipe test work surfaces and equipment using smear samples, count samples using the proportional counter, and record results. Afternoon: investigate a contamination spread incident from the previous shift — interview the workers involved, review monitoring records, reconstruct the sequence of events, and draft an incident report with corrective actions. End of day: check the weekly dose data from the dosimetry system and identify anyone approaching their dose investigation level; contact their supervisor.