What are AERB's plans for the coming year?

Operation of e-LORA would be a big milestone for regulation of medical X-ray practice and other applications of radiation sources like nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, industrial radiography, radiation processing facilities etc. However, few major action plans of AERB which are under implementation are summarized below:

Steps are being taken to decentralise the process though formation of state-level Directorate of Radiation Safety (DRS). The Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Kerala, has already set up Directorate of Radiation Safety) in 1996. The process of formation of DRS is underway in Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Goa and Karnataka. AERB is following up with other States to set up similar DRSs.

AERB has established RRCs in the country to further strengthen the regulatory control over radiation sources including medical X-ray installations. RRCs have already been established at Chennai and Kolkata. One is planned in the northern region. DRS and RRCs are expected to cover the medical X-ray facilities of respective regions for getting X-ray units registered and contribute in increasing regulatory inspections.

The regulatory inspections, i.e., radiation safety audits of the medical X-ray installations are the most important part of the compliance assurance programme (CAP) of AERB. AERB conducts, under the relevant provisions of regulations, the periodic inspections on sample basis, of medical X-ray facilities

The Radiological Safety Officer (RSO) is responsible for maintaining periodic QA records of medical X-ray equipment. AERB is in the process of accrediting independent QA service providers, besides manufacturers/suppliers of X-ray equipment, to ensure satisfactory performance and radiation safety of X-ray equipment.