The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) first published its public guidance on radiation emergencies on 30 November 2023, according to the GOV.UK publication page1. The page was last updated on 10 September 2024, with the update note "Updated links to 2024 handbook."1
The guidance is titled "Radiation emergencies: information for the public" and covers protecting yourself from radiation, including how to remove radioactive contamination from yourself1. It is made up of several documents: "What to do in a radiation emergency" in HTML, an easy read version as a PDF of 5.31 MB and 19 pages, "How to remove radioactive material from your skin and clothes" self-decontamination guidance in HTML, a print version as a PDF of 731 KB and 2 pages, and an easy read version of the decontamination guidance as a PDF of 1.59 MB and 10 pages1.
The publication page states the purpose of the material:
"This information is intended to inform members of the public on actions that they can take to protect themselves in the case of a radiation emergency."
The same page adds that the information "can also be used by local authorities to support specific advice that they issue for nuclear emergency response plans."1
The page notes that the PDF files may not be suitable for users of assistive technology, and gives an email address, publications@ukhsa.gov.uk, for requesting an accessible format1. Readers using assistive technology are asked to say what format they need and which assistive technology they use1.
Why it matters for households
The guidance sets out, in the agency's words, actions members of the public can take to protect themselves in a radiation emergency, and how to remove radioactive material from skin and clothes1. It is also intended for use by local authorities alongside the specific advice they issue for nuclear emergency response plans, so household advice in an incident may come with local additions1. The easy read versions are published for readers who need a simpler format, and an accessible format of the PDFs can be requested from UKHSA1. The page does not state which areas or populations the guidance applies to beyond its use by local authorities; that has not been reported on the page1.
What happens next
No further steps are listed on the publication page beyond the update of 10 September 2024 linking to the 2024 handbook1. Households can read the guidance on what to do in a radiation emergency, the wider major incidents guide and the question of whether to shelter or evacuate.
Radiation Emergency
Major Incidents Guide
Shelter or Evacuate
