Safety, Health and Injury Management and Wellbeing

Working rules for OHCWA Cabinet X-ray Units

Our role is to develop and assist in the implementation of the UWA safety, health and wellbeing programs in order to minimise the risk of injury, illness and property damage.

We provide consultancy and other services to promote best practice and legislative compliance in all University and related activities.

These working rules are designed to ensure that cabinet x-ray machines are used with a high standard of safety.

  1. These working rules are to be securely attached to the x-ray machine at all times.
  2. Students using the machine must do so under the supervision of a staff member who is qualified to operate dental x-ray machines.
  3. The primary beam is to be contained within the shielded cabinet.
  4. The door interlocks may not be defeated for any purpose.
  5. Exposure to the primary x-ray beam and scattered x-rays must be avoided at all times.
  6. Immediate measures must be taken to remove potentially hazardous situations arising from x-ray exposure that may be emitted due to an equipment defect, misalignment or any other reason.
  7. The operator must ensure that the x-ray radiation warning label is clearly visible on the x-ray cabinet.
  8. The School Radiation Safety Officer (SRSO) is: A/Prof Johan Aps(ext 77835).
  9. Repeated exposures (more than 5 over a period of 5 mins) will take the x-ray tube anode close to its heat load limit. Wait 10 minutes for the tube to cool before continuing.
  10. Service may only be carried out by a service technician with a suitable license from the Radiological Council. The recommended service agent is Biomedical Engineering, (+61 8) 9318 6888. All accidents and incidents must be reported to the SRSO and UWA Safety and Health. If the machine is faulty, do not use it - instead, tag and report it for repair.