| Description | Minutes of committee established on the recommendation of a Joint Committee appointed by the Faculty of Science Executive Committee and the Board of the Faculty of Medicine, under a reference from Senate, to ensure adequate protection of its members against exposure to ionising radiations from sources within the institution, and to set an example to other bodies in this respect, following the compilation of a Code of Practice for the Protection of Persons exposed to Ionising Radiations which set out standards and safety measures and which was in use within hospitals and National Health Service Laboratories. There was evidently concern that action might be taken against the institution by parties seeking compensation for alleged damage as part of exposure to radiation, and that the University should be able to demonstrate that all reasonable precautions had been taken to protect its members
Membership of the Committee for the Control of Radiation Exposure was to consist of a physicist, a biologist, two medically qualified representatives, and one 'appropriately qualified person without major departmental interest in the use of radioactive substances'. Heads of Departments or their representatives were to be invited to attend when necessary. A University Safety Officer was also appointed. The Committee was to report to Senate. It met every couple of months during 1958, but the pattern of meetings after this seems to have been to meet around three times a year
The Committee's responsibilities were to maintain a register of all existing and proposed sources of ionising radiations within the University and, where possible, to make recommendations to the Planning and Priorities Commitee or the Works and Maintenance Committee concerning necessary structural works and alterations; to secure the adequacy of protective measures against risk of damage, both somatic and genetic, from these radiations; to ensure the maintenance of suitable departmental records of exposure for all individuals whose duties or studies bring them into proximity to the sources of radiations; to ensure appropriate medical supervision where necessary; to make sure that those concerned are suitably informed of and experienced in the measures necessary for the protection of persons exposed to ionising radiations; and to submit an annual report of its activities through Senate to the Council, and to make recommendations as necessary
Minutes of the first meeting, held on 23 April 1958, record that departments proposing to acquire sources of radiation for the first time would be required to report these acquisitions to the Committee. The Committee also began to compile a Register of radiation sources. Subsequent meetings contain further information about the Register of radiation sources; codes of practice and legal liability of the University in respect of radiation hazards; and discussion of the appointment of a University Safety Officer and safety standards to be followed, with details of emergency kit provided in the event of an incident. There is further discussion about the role of the University Radiation Protection Officer as the role evolved and the title changed, and continued discussion about employers liability policy for insurance and the responsibility in law of staff in minutes of meetings held in 1966
Minutes also contain discussion about methods of disposal of radiocative waste products, and safeguards against radiation hazards. There are copies of codes of practice compiled by different academic departments and Faculties; discussion of Ministry of Labour code of practice, visits by government inspectors, and conferences on radiation research; reports on sources of radiation in individual departments; some copies of 'Control of Radiaion Exposure' Circulars issued to Heads of Departments where radiation sources were in use; copies of annual reports of the Committee to Senate; details about safety procedures and references to courses of instruction for academic and technical staff working with sources of radiation; estimates of expenditure; and references to fire precautions and co-operation with the City Fire and Ambulance Service
Minutes of the meeting held on 24 June 1963 discuss the Radioactive Substances Act 1960, and the minutes include a copy. There is also a copy of a typed paper entitled 'Radiochemical Research Laboratories and the Law' by Dr Hugh D. Evans, Health Physicist and Lecturer in Radiation Hazards, Imperial College of Science and Technology, London. Minutes of the meeting held on 18 November 1963 include a copy of a report on the visit of the Radiochemical inspector, Ministry of Housing and Local Government. Minutes of meetings held in 1967 and 1968 also contain references to visits of the Radiochemical inspector, and and inspector to check x-ray equipment. Minutes of the meeting held on 20 June 1969 discuss legislation proposed by the Department of Employment and Productivity and express concerns that this would affect research without any guarantee of a corresponding increase in safety
Reports of the Committee for the Control of Radiation Exposure appear not to be included in Senate minutes after the early 1970s, and it is possible that its responsibilities were taken over by the University Safety and Environmental Health Committee (minutes of this committee have not been transferred to the University Archives). By the 1990s, an Advisory Group for the Control of Radiaion Exposure reported to Senate, but no discrete set of minutes of this Group have been transferred to the University Archives |