COMP Report: A survey of radiation safety regulations for medical imaging x-ray equipment in Canada.
Thorarin A Bjarnason, Robert Rees, Judy Kainz, Lawrence H Le, Errol E Stewart, Brent Preston, Idris Elbakri, Ingvar A J Fife, Ting-Yim Lee, I Martin Benoît Gagnon, Clément Arsenault, Pierre Therrien, Edward Kendall, Elena Tonkopi, Michelle Cottreau, John E Aldrich
Author Information
Thorarin A Bjarnason: Medical Imaging, Interior Health Authority, Kelowna, BC, Canada.
Robert Rees: Occupational Health & Safety, Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board, Whitehorse, YK, Canada.
Judy Kainz: Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission for Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Yellowknife, NT, Canada.
Lawrence H Le: Diagnostic Imaging, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Errol E Stewart: Diagnostic Imaging, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Brent Preston: Radiation Safety Unit, Government of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
Idris Elbakri: Cancer Care Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
Ingvar A J Fife: Cancer Care Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
Ting-Yim Lee: St Joseph's Health Care London, London, ON, Canada.
I Martin Benoît Gagnon: Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec, Québec, Canada.
Clément Arsenault: Hôpital Dr Georges-L. Dumont, Centre d'Oncologie Dr Léon-Richard, Moncton, NB, Canada.
Pierre Therrien: Therapeutic Physics, Horizon Health Network, Saint-John, NB, Canada.
Edward Kendall: Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St John's, NL, Canada.
Elena Tonkopi: Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS, Canada.
Michelle Cottreau: Health PEI - Diagnostic Imaging, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada.
John E Aldrich: Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
X-ray regulations and room design methodology vary widely across Canada. The Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists (COMP) conducted a survey in 2016/2017 to provide a useful snapshot of existing variations in rules and methodologies for human patient medical imaging facilities. Some jurisdictions no longer have radiation safety regulatory requirements and COMP is concerned that lack of regulatory oversight might erode safe practices. Harmonized standards will facilitate oversight that will ensure continued attention is given to public safety and to control workplace exposure. COMP encourages all Canadian jurisdictions to adopt the dose limits and constraints outlined in Health Canada Safety Code 35 with the codicil that the design standards be updated to those outlined in NCRP 147 and BIR 2012.
