Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) Services
Independent Radiation Protection Adviser support
RP Alba Ltd provides independent Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) services to employers that use ionising radiation as part of their work.
Appointments are made to an individually certificated and competent adviser, in accordance with the requirements of the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17) and the associated Approved Code of Practice and guidance (HSE L121).
We support duty holders to understand, meet and demonstrate compliance with their legal obligations in a manner that is proportionate, practical and defensible.
Our role as your appointed RPA
Under IRR17 Regulation 14, employers must consult a suitable Radiation Protection Adviser on specific matters relating to the restriction of exposure to ionising radiation.
As your appointed RPA, RP Alba Ltd provides advice and support on matters including:
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radiation risk assessments, including their review and revision where there are significant changes to work with ionising radiation;
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the notification, registration and consent requirements applicable to your activities under IRR17;
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preparation and review of safety assessments to support consent applications and material changes to consented work;
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designation of controlled and supervised areas;
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local rules and contingency arrangements;
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engineering controls, safety features and warning systems;
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investigation and learning following incidents or events;
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information, instruction and training arrangements;
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liaison with regulators where appropriate.
Advice is provided in a way that supports duty holder ownership of safety arrangements and regulatory submissions.
When do you need an RPA?
Under the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17), employers must appoint a suitable Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) where work involves ionising radiation and falls within the scope of the Regulations (Regulation 3).
In practice, this includes work involving:
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Radiation generators, such as X-ray equipment used in:
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veterinary practice,
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industrial inspection,
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security and screening systems,
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research and analytical applications.
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Radioactive substances, including:
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sealed sources (e.g. gauges, calibration sources),
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unsealed radioactive substances used in laboratories or industrial processes.
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Work in radon-affected workplaces, where:
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radon concentrations exceed the relevant reference level,
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mitigation or exposure management measures are required.
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Transport related work involving Class 7 dangerous goods, where occupational exposure to ionising radiation may arise (e.g. loading, unloading, handling or storage in transit).
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Activities requiring notification, registration or consent under IRR17, including the introduction of new practices or material changes to existing work.
The requirement to consult an RPA applies throughout the lifecycle of the work, including planning, risk assessment, equipment installation and modification, routine operation, and incident investigation.
Supporting notifications, registrations and consents
The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 apply a graded approach to regulatory control, requiring activities to be notified, registered or consented depending on the nature and risk of the work.
RP Alba Ltd supports duty holders by:
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advising on the correct regulatory route for planned activities;
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supporting the preparation of safety assessments required for consent applications;
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advising on material changes to consented activities;
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helping ensure that submissions are technically robust, proportionate and aligned with regulatory expectations.
While regulatory submissions are made by the duty holder, our role is to ensure that the underlying safety arguments are sound, defensible and clearly documented.
Who we support
Our RPA services are tailored to the nature and scale of your activities. We commonly support:
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employers using X-ray equipment in industrial, food and drink, security, research or inspection settings;
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organisations managing radioactive sources or radioactive material;
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service providers and contractors working within regulated environments;
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employers with elevated workplace radon levels;
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organisations operating across multiple sites or client premises.
While based in Scotland, we support clients throughout the UK.
How we work
Our approach is collaborative and proportionate.
We do not take a “fully managed” compliance role. Instead, we work with you to ensure that:
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arrangements are appropriate for your work;
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documentation reflects what actually happens in practice;
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regulatory submissions are understood and owned by the duty holder;
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systems can be explained and defended if inspected.
Support may include remote advice, scheduled site visits, and periodic reviews, depending on your activities and risk profile.
Critical examinations and commissioning activities
Where equipment is subject to critical examination under IRR17, we provide advice on:
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the scope and content of critical examination arrangements;
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acceptance and commissioning checks;
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interpretation of results and follow-up actions;
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integration with maintenance and servicing regimes.
We recognise that in many sectors, critical examinations are carried out by service engineers or third parties, and we provide advice accordingly without unnecessary duplication.
Competence and continuity
RP Alba Ltd is led by an RPA2000 certified and Chartered Radiation Protection Professional, ensuring that clients have direct access to the adviser providing the advice.
Where appropriate, trusted associate support may be used for specific activities or locations; however, the principal RPA remains responsible for advice provided to clients.
This approach supports continuity, accountability and professional oversight.
Training and competence support
As part of our RPA services, we can advise on:
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training needs arising from radiation risk assessments;
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suitability of radiation protection and RPS training;
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refresher training requirements following changes or incidents.
Training may be delivered online or in person, depending on need, and may be supported through our RadiationTrainingOnline platform where appropriate.
Engaging with regulators and other advisers
RP Alba Ltd supports constructive engagement with regulators and other professional advisers where this is relevant to a client’s activities.
This may include liaison with, or support during engagement with, regulators such as:
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the Health and Safety Executive (HSE);
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devolved administration regulators, including SEPA;
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the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), including in relation to the transport of Class 7 dangerous goods as well as activities interfacing with the nuclear regulatory framework.
Where clients also require support from other statutory or specialist advisers, we work collaboratively to ensure that advice is aligned and responsibilities are clear. This may include coordination with:
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Dangerous Goods Safety Advisers (DGSAs) in relation to the transport of radioactive material;
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Medical Physics Experts (MPEs) where work falls under IR(ME)R;
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Laser Protection Advisers (LPAs) where laser safety considerations arise.
Where radioactive substances are involved, we can also work with a client’s Counter Terrorism Security Adviser (CTSA) to support appropriate security arrangements for the safe use and storage of sources.
Our role is to provide clear RPA advice within our scope of competence, while supporting effective communication and coordination between duty holders, regulators and other appointed advisers.