About us:
Established in 1998, we at Coton Physics Services Limited offer a cost-effective, realistic, friendly and informative service, as any of our existing customers will tell you. We are strong believers in ensuring that everyone is fully aware of their requirements under the legislation, has someone to talk to about these things should the need arise and also to attend any visits that you may have from the Health and Safety Executive. We are already Radiation Protection Advisers for 39 veterinary practices in the UK and any of them would be very pleased to talk to you about our service if required.
We are geographically in the centre of the country and have excellent access to the major road, rail and air networks, so we can provide services quickly and efficiently to anyone in the mainland UK, IoM and Channel Islands.
Radiation Protection Adviser Services
As a Radiation Protection Adviser appointed under the 1985 regulations, Alan Timmins would provide the necessary RPA support services. Mr Timmins has had over thirty years of radiation work experience in and out of the NHS and is an elected Member of the Society for Radiation Protection (SRP) and of the Institute of Physics (IoP) and has been granted Chartered Physicist status (CPhys). A draft RPA appointing letter is available on request.
There is no annual charge for us providing your RPA support whilst you are having your safety surveys carried out by us. All visits and additional work would be charged for.
Start up Pack
As part of the start-up pack we would carry out an initial survey of your equipment and premises, evaluate your current working practices and provide all necessary paperwork required by the HSE. The survey includes a full radiation safety survey of your premises, operational procedures and safety equipment and, on the first visit, we would also carry out a 'Radiation Risk Assessment' and also a 'Critical Examination' if the equipment were not already certificated. We would also ensure that, as far as possible, all steps would be taken to comply with the radiation legislation. 'Local Rules' and 'Work Instructions' ('Systems of Work') and also a Radiation Risk Assessments would be prepared for you.
Following the publication of the 'Veterinary Guidance Notes' on the 1999 Radiation Legislation, the Local Rules would be updated free of charge although a printing and postage cost may be levied. Our Local Rules are guaranteed for three years. All of the 'start up' paperwork (Fault, Maintenance and Handover records, etc) is also included. This paperwork would include the provision of the 'Notification' to the Health and Safety Executive if required. All documentation is provided in a convenient personalised binder to keep everything together.
Radiation Monitoring Service
If appointed as a Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) I would need to inspect all of your personal radiation monitor results. To simplify this we offer a personal radiation dosimetry service to our 'RPA' customers only. This also provides a convenient way of 'keeping in touch' since questions (and latest information) can be transferred at the time of exchanging the monitors. The monitors are exchanged on a three monthly basis. They are a new, revolutionary, and very sensitive system based on an aluminium oxide material. They are recyclable and this reduces costs (and is good for the environment). They are very much more sensitive than film and current TLD systems and, since it is cheaper to produce than TLD, lost dosimeters also are not as costly. All monitors are personalised with the Practice Name and the Wearer's name with a choice of formats. They are a clip-on type and current users have said that they are very much better than anything previously used. Alternative fixings and eye, finger and thyroid monitors are also available.
X-ray Equipment Quality Assurance Assessments
As part of each safety survey on the X-ray equipment, a quality assurance assessment is carried out on the X-ray machine at no additional cost. This does not replace the requirement for an annual planned maintenance / service on the equipment but does give an indication of any faults that should be attended to at such a service. At the time of the first survey, baseline assessments of the equipment would be performed so that subsequent changes in its performance can be determined. This provides both the customer, and us, a vital reference in case of future problems. All tests are carried out to the same standard as those required under recommendations for Medical equipment.
Subsequent Surveys
Current guidance is that Veterinary practices are reassessed by the RPA (at his/her discretion) usually every three years. This survey would be generally a repeat of the initial survey but with emphasis on assessing compliance with, and any changes in, procedural and legal aspects. A full safety and quality assurance assessment would be made on the equipment and all paperwork checked for its correct usage.
New Facilities Design
We can provide all of the necessary specifications and lists of suppliers in respect of any new or modified X-ray facility if you wish to go this way. This would include the design radiation safety requirement, advice and site visits if necessary. All would be quoted for beforehand. A typical design would include a legally required 'Prior Radiation Risk Assessment', full shielding calculations and a detailed design and equipment installation specification. Site visits would be charged at cost.
Personal Protective Equipment
Lead aprons, gloves, etc., are not available from us directly since we do not think it appropriate to supply items that we recommend to you to be purchased. We do have lists of excellent companies that can provide these items.
Ultrasound
We also offer an ultrasound quality assurance service, to the same standard as for Medical equipment.
Veterinary Nuclear Medicine
Also included in our services are all aspects of the usage of radionuclides and performance testing of Gamma Cameras, etc., especially in the field of Equine Nuclear Medicine.
Lasers
A Laser Protection Advisory service is available should you have the use a laser on the premises.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading this. If you have any queries on any aspect of your Radiation Safety commitments under current legislation please contact us at the address below:
Alan E. Timmins. MSc CPhys MInstP MSRP MIPEM SCRS
Consultant Physicist, Radiation Protection Adviser.
Coton Physics Services Limited.
4, Church Croft,
Coton in the Elms,
Swadlincote.
Derbyshire.
DE12 8HG
Telephone/Fax : 01283 762111
Mobile: 078 02 280956
email:mail@cpsltd.com
Website: http://www.cpsltd.com