New South Wales Consolidated Regulations

RADIATION CONTROL REGULATION 2003 - REG 26

26 Certain occurrences are taken to be radiation accidents

(1) For the purposes of this Regulation, a "radiation accident" is to be treated as having occurred if there is an occurrence that involves the unplanned or unexpected emission of radiation (including spillage or leakage of a radioactive substance or damage to radiation apparatus) and that is of such a nature or extent that it is likely:

(a) that one or more persons have, or could have, received an effective dose of radiation equal to or in excess of:

(i) 5 millisieverts, in the case of an occupationally exposed person, or

(ii) 1 millisievert, in any other case, or

(b) that premises or the environment may have become contaminated within the meaning of section 21 of the Act.

(2) For the purposes of this Regulation, a radiation accident is to be treated as having occurred if there is an occurrence that involves the misuse of radiation apparatus or maladministration of a radioactive substance used for medical purposes, including any of the following:

(a) the administration of a radioactive substance for diagnostic purposes in a quantity of more than 50 per cent more than that prescribed,

(b) the administration of a radioactive substance for therapeutic purposes at an activity differing by more than 15 per cent from that prescribed,

(c) administration of a therapeutic dose of radiation from radiation apparatus or a sealed source device which differs from the total prescribed treatment dose by more than 10 per cent,

(d) the unintended administration of radiation as a result of a malfunction of radiation apparatus,

(e) administration of a radiopharmaceutical otherwise than as prescribed.