I know this question has been asked before but on the forum search it dates back to 2007 which was a little while ago!

We have an X-Ray on site which is used to X-Ray components we make. This covered by a maintenance contract.

I've not previously worked with anything radioactive before so I’m a little bit blank on knowledge. Do we need an RPA (Radiation Protection Advisor) or and RPS (Radiation Protection Supervisor)

I've found courses for the RPS which seems to be two days or there abouts. From what I gather further an RPA is someone who has more of a sciencey background.

I get the impression that your knowledge of ionising radiation is low to non-existent and I suspect that the use of your X-ray machine almost certainly comes under the Ionising Regs (new version came into use January this year). The HSE guidance is still a bit technical (Do you know what a Becquerel is? How much exposure in milli Sieverts you can have as an employee? ). Get yourself an RPA (it’s usually an external consultant): they will tell you if you come under the Regs, and what things you must do to manage this piece of equipment safely and (it’s prescriptive, rather than risk based) comply with the regulations.  

If it comes under the regulations (and it probably does) you definitely need some advice from an RPA. Once you have this, they will probably only need to visit once a year to see how things are going.

X-ray equipment is not radioactive, and when you have switched it off there is no radiation risk as all. All the commercial equipment I have come across has been very well shielded and interlocked, so it is unlikely anyone would receive a dose of radiation unless they actively interfered with the enclosure.

You will need 'local rules' for its use, and the safety elements of the equipment need to be checked at periods prescribed by law. It is possible that your maintenance contract is doing this, but you need to check as there is no guarantee whatever that the contract was drawn up with this in mind. Again the RPA will advise you on what to look out for and what the rules should consist of.

Quick crash course in ionising radiation then... An RPA is a Radiation Protection Advisor and advises on the requirements of the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR).  This is why everyone is saying you should get in touch with one.

An RPS is a Radiation Protection Supervisor and generally speaking has experience of the workplace as well as some knowledge of the IRR and the local rules for their area, but really needs to be in touch with the RPA quite often to confer on the radiation protection of the workers.

Local rules are a legally required document that relate to a (specific) workplace where sources of radiation and/or radioactive materials are used. They tell you where the designated areas are, who the RPS is, what routine work goes on, what the emergency responses are (and more), and it is a legal requirement that workers in the area have read and understood them.

Designated areas are either "Supervised" or "Controlled", and give you an idea as to the level of risk from Radiation and/or Contamination in those areas - also legally required.

The RPA should be able to advise on dosimetry and an Approved Dosimetry Service (ADS) to administer dose badges and radiation passbooks, as well as other controls for the radiography you will be doing.

If you go to the link, posted above by Kate, and use the link on the left hand side "Industrial Radiography", there is good advice there on registering on their notification system (Get addvice from your RPA about this too).  Under the IRR2017, there is a requirement to notify the HSE when you will be doing radiography, but it looks like it is all done online, so you need to register.

Hope this gives you a starter, at least...

Why not ask the company you have completing the annual leak test which is a legal requirement they normally run training courses.