The British Institute of Radiology (BIR) has produced posters, videos and a book on personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff working with radiation, to help reduce exposure to diagnostic X-rays and develop radiation safety knowledge in and beyond the radiology department. The guidance gives practical advice on how staff should select, wear and store their PPE. Importantly it gives clear advice on how to comply with regulations, and prepare a risk assessment.

It is crucial that protective aprons, head and eye wear are worn and fitted correctly to protect the body against dangerous radiation levels. If stored incorrectly, the equipment can become damaged and that immediately reduces its effectiveness.

The book, Personal protective equipment for diagnostic X-ray use, is a practical guide to using and caring for PPE and is written by Peter A. Hiles, Helen Hughes, Denise Arthur and Colin J. Martin as part of a BIR Working Party with support from the BIR Radiation Safety Special Interest Group (SIG). Products created in conjunction with the book are two A2 sized posters, Caring for your PPE and Wearing your PPE and three videos, Wear and Fit, Care and Storage and Screening PPE.

The resources are for radiologists, trainees, radiographers at all levels, radiology managers, radiation protection advisors (RPAs), medical physicists, vets, dentists, nurses and clinical application specialists.

The book and posters are available to purchase from https://birorgukportal.force.com/BookList and the videos can be viewed for free on the PPE resources page: http://www.birpublications.org/ppe.