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The Australian National University is an organisation of cultural significance responsible to the Australian community for research and teaching activities across the broad scope of science, social science and humanity disciplines. In contributing to this objective, the members of the University need to use hazards, including ionizing radiations and non-ionizing radiations, as legitimate tools in their research endeavours focused at the boundaries of current knowledge. To effectively fulfil its radiation safety obligations, in addition to the provision of an appropriate level of amenity, the University management system focuses on hazard management such that the residual risk of injury, disease, and environmental impact from any University undertaking with radiation materials, apparatus, and facilities is reduced as far as is reasonably practicable. 

It is a fundamental requirement of the University that its activities with ionizing and non-ionizing radiations be dealt with without undue risk to the health and safety of people and to the environment,  be in compliance with the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 and Regulations and other relevant legislation  and community standards. The system of radiological protection required by legislation is based on the application of three general principles to which University activities with radiation shall adhere:

• Justification.  No radiological practice should be adopted unless it is assessed to produce a net benefit to the society,
• Optimization of protection.  In relation to a particular radiation source, the magnitude of the individual exposure and the number of people exposed should be kept as low as reasonably practicable,
• Exposure standards and dose limits.  Any exposure to radiations must comply with exposure guidelines set by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1988.

In compliance with the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1988 and Regulations, other relevant legislation, national standards and codes of practice,  the University will provide a workplace that is, as far as reasonably practicable: safe and healthy for staff, students, and visitors; and, without risk to the environment.

Each Dean, Director or Head of a Faculty, School, Centre, or Administrative Unit  is responsible for implementing research, teaching and operational work in their Budget Unit and will provide a workplace that is, as far as reasonably practicable: safe and healthy for staff, students, and visitors; and, without risk to the environment.

It is the responsibility of a supervisor to University management to ensure a safe and healthy workplace, that documented safe work procedures are provided to and are understood and observed by the staff they supervise and that any radiation incidents, exposures, hazards or concerns within their jurisdiction are reported.

Staff, students and visitors  are required to do all that is reasonably practicable to ensure that their actions or omissions do not create or increase a risk to the health and safety of themselves or others. Safe work procedures must be observed at all times and equipment must be used in accordance with safe work instructions.  Any radiation incidents, exposures, hazards or concerns within the workplace should be reported.

Within the context of the University's general radiation and OHS processes,  this policy will be achieved through the following strategies:

1. No hazardous research, teaching or operational work shall be undertaken with radiation unless a risk assessment of the work is completed and the Dean, Director or Head of a Faculty, School, Centre, or Administrative Unit is satisfied that the hazards associated with the work are controlled as far as is reasonably practicable.
2. Provision of an adequate, responsible financial budget. 
3. Provision of sound workplace planning, design and operation.  The University's generic requirements are given in the ANU Radiation Procedures Document.
4. Provision of administrative resources for advice and support.
5. Implementation of effective staff consultation arrangements at the workplace, Designated Work Group, and general management levels.
6. Clear statement and delegation of OHS responsibilities to all levels of staff.  
7. Provision of information, instruction, training and supervision for staff, students and visitors, as applicable.
8. Provision of guidelines for the use of ionizing radiations (radioisotopes, machines), lasers, and non-ionizing radiations (ultra-violet, intense visible, infrared, microwave, radiowave, and power frequencies)
9. Provision of an incident and hazard notification system, including follow-ups to reduce any unacceptable risk revealed by the incident.
10. Provision of rehabilitation and counselling where necessary.
11. Provision of  an inspection system including appropriate management action in cases of non-compliance.
12. Provision and regular monitoring of OHS performance indicators, and regular reviews of policy.
13. Provision of a positive and consistent example at all levels of administration and supervision. 
14. Adherence to statutory regulations and University policies and procedures.