Starting July 2001, exemption granted to universities in Hong Kong regarding the use of radiation sources has been ceased. The possession and use of irradiating apparatus and radioactive substances must be licenced. For irradiating apparatus such as X-ray equipment, each user department must have valid licences for their own apparatus. For radioactive substances, HSEO is holding two central licences for the use and possession of radioactive substances at PolyU. In order that radiation sources in PolyU are handled in a safe manner as well as licencing conditions are complied with, the following basic requirements must be observed by concerned parties :

1. About the apparatus -- the user department should inform HSEO and apply for a temporary licence from the Radiation Board before the irradiating apparatus is purchased and allowed to be delivered to and installed at the PolyU campus. Once the apparatus is installed, the user department should apply for a possession and use licence from the Radiation Board in order that the apparatus can be put into operation. Any licenced irradiating apparatus must also be registered with HSEO.
   
2. About the location of use / storage -- the irradiating apparatus can be used or stored only at location specified in the licence. Any changes of use or storage location must have prior approval from the Radiation Board and have the licence amended. HSEO should also be informed of such changes. The location of use should also meet certain building requirements to achieve a high standard of safety. These may include door locks, warning signs, warning lights, or special construction of the doors and wall linings depending on the voltage of the equipment or whether it is an open-beam or closed-beam apparatus.
   
3. About the operators -- each open-beam irradiating apparatus operator must register with HSEO and apply for operator licence from the Radiation Board. They should be trained in radiation safety (either through the web-based self-learning or regular classroom training course) and be personally monitored by radiation dosimeter (should be applied from the Radiation Health Unit via HSEO). Operator licence and personal radiation dosimeter is not necessary for operators of closed-beam irradiating apparatus. However, they should also be trained in radiation safety and register with HSEO. Operators of irradiating apparatus who have not yet been trained can operate the apparatus only under close supervision of a registered.

1. About the radioactive substances -- each user department is registered with HSEO for certain types and quantity of radioactive substances being used or stored in certain location. Any additional type or quantity of radioactive substance to be used must have prior approval from HSEO so as to effect licence amendment with Radiation Board.
   
2. About the location of use -- prior approval must be obtained from HSEO and have the licence amended with the Radiation Board before there can be any changes of location for handling or storage of radioactive substances. The location of use should also meet certain building requirements to achieve a high standard of safety. These may include door locks, warning signs, ventilation system, drainage system, surface linings, etc. depending on whether the radioactive sources are sealed* or unsealed**.
   
3. About the users -- users of both sealed and unsealed radioactive substances should register with HSEO and be trained in radiation safety (either through the web-based self-learning or regular classroom training course). Users who have not yet been trained can handle radioactive substances only under close supervision of a registered user. Moreover, users of unsealed radioactive substances should take pre-employment and annual medical examination (to be provided by the University Clinic) and be proven to be fit for radiation work. They should also be personally monitored by radiation dosimeter (should be applied from the Radiation Health Unit via HSEO).