The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999

Sealed sources and articles containing or embodying radioactive substances

27.—(1) Where a radioactive substance is used as a source of ionising radiation in work with ionising radiation, the radiation employer shall ensure that, whenever reasonably practicable, the substance is in the form of a sealed source.

(2) The radiation employer shall ensure that the design, construction and maintenance of any article containing or embodying a radioactive substance, including its bonding, immediate container or other mechanical protection, is such as to prevent the leakage of any radioactive substance—

(a) in the case of a sealed source, so far as is practicable; or

(b) in the case of any other article, so far as is reasonably practicable.

(3) Where appropriate, the radiation employer shall ensure that suitable tests are carried out at suitable intervals to detect leakage of radioactive substances from any article to which paragraph (2) applies and the employer shall make a suitable record of each such test and shall retain that record for at least 2 years after the article is disposed of or until a further record is made following a subsequent test to that article.