X-ray & radiation protection · United Kingdom
UK-manufactured radiation protection for healthcare professionals, from protective garments and eyewear to barriers and supporting equipment.
Find my protection
Tell us what you need and where it will be used, and we will point you at the categories that fit. If you are not sure, tell us what you are trying to protect against and a person will help.
Describe what you are trying to protect against and the environment you work in. An automated tool cannot determine your safety requirements; a Rothband specialist, working alongside your RPA’s guidance, can.
Ask a specialist →The range
Lightweight lead, lead-composite bilayer and lead-free protective garments in 0.25, 0.35 and 0.50 mm Pb. Two-piece top-and-kilt sets (TXRW, TXRF, TXRB Endurance, TXRW-Lite) share weight between shoulders and hips; full-length tabards (PXR) and wraps (WXR, WXRF) suit simpler workflows. Fabrics, patterns, bespoke prints and custom sizing available.
X-ray aprons at rothband.com →
Targeted protection for a radiosensitive gland that sits exposed at the neckline of most aprons. D-Type (TPD), magnetic D-Type (TPDM), TPB and TPV collars, available attached or separate, with organisation-branded options.
Thyroid collars at rothband.com →
Radiation protection glasses combining attenuation with clear vision and a secure fit for everyday wear. Wraparound, fit-over and sports-frame styles including Nike and Oakley frames, plano or prescription lenses, and protective side shields.
X-ray glasses at rothband.com →
Arm sleeves, protective headwear, lower-leg “cricket pads” and Mammo Shield axillary and breast protection for areas an apron does not cover during X-ray, fluoroscopy and interventional procedures.
Ancillary protection at rothband.com →
Mobile lead-equivalent screens, variable-height barriers with a window that moves between 115 and 188 cm, table-mounted lower body shields from 78 to 162 cm and multi-use table shields. Combine them to build a dose-reduction environment around your workflow.
Radiation barriers at rothband.com →
Mobile 10-arm hangers, mobile rail hangers, wall-mounted swing hangers and skirt-and-vest racks that keep garments hanging, organised and in good condition between uses. Good storage prevents the creasing and cracking that shortens garment life.
Apron storage at rothband.com →
Lead-lined doors from Code 3 (1.32 mm Pb) to Code 8 (3.55 mm Pb), lead glass viewing windows, lead curtains in 0.25 to 1.0 mm Pb, retro-fit wall panelling and safety warning lights. Designed, manufactured and installed by Rothband for healthcare, veterinary, dental and industrial environments, backed by a 10-year guarantee.
Structural protection at rothband.com →Why Rothband
W. S. Rothband & Co. introduced the world’s first X-ray cloth in 1911 by adding lead powder to its own rubber formulation. The company has specialised in radiology protection ever since, and since 2015 has been owned by the Dixon family, led by diagnostic radiographers.
Every garment is handcrafted in Haslingden, Lancashire, under an ISO 9001:2015 quality system, with core materials tested to IEC 61331-1 and certified attenuation data available for every product. Rothband supplies NHS trusts directly on purchase order and through NHS Supply Chain.
Beyond the products: an apron scanning service, X-Ray Track apron management software, Instadose personal dosimetry, a free apron care guide and a knowledge base written for the people who wear protection every day.
Knowledge
Written by a UK manufacturer, not a marketing department. Where a decision belongs with your Radiation Protection Adviser, we say so.
A lead apron is a protective garment that helps block scatter radiation when X-rays are being used. It protects people working near the X-ray beam, but it is only one part of staying safe, alongside room shielding, safe working rules and the right way of standing. Modern “lead” aprons may use traditional lead, lead-composite bilayer or lead-free cores.
No. A lead apron reduces a lot of the scatter radiation but does not stop everything. IEC 61331-3 treats aprons as protective devices used where other methods are insufficient or not applicable, and IAEA guidance presents them as one part of a wider occupational radiation protection approach. Radiation PPE for healthcare is designed to protect against X-rays, which behave differently from other types of ionising radiation.
Most IEC-approved aprons reduce dose by over 90%, depending on the X-ray energy and the apron’s lead-equivalent rating. The IAEA notes aprons may reduce dose by more than 90%. The European test standard is IEC 61331-1:2014, and your manufacturer should be able to provide test results for its core materials from its technical files.
It is the lead equivalence: a higher number means less radiation passes through. 0.25 mm Pb blocks a lot of scatter, 0.35 mm Pb more, and 0.50 mm Pb the most of the three. At 80 kV, 0.25 mm Pb attenuates about 90% and 0.50 mm Pb about 98%. Think about what still gets through: 10% versus 2% is a large difference in a high-scatter room. In practical terms 0.25 mm Pb is a lighter-duty option for lower exposure, 0.35 mm Pb a useful step up, and 0.50 mm Pb the greatest attenuation, usually with a weight penalty.
Through a radiation risk assessment with help from a Radiation Protection Adviser. The right value depends on your room, your role and the X-ray energies you are around. 0.25 mm Pb can be suitable in some lower-scatter jobs; busier interventional or higher-dose work may need more protection or a different style. For CT or other high-kV environments, BIR advises that PPE used above 125 kVp should meet or exceed the lead-equivalent values for 150 kVp, so check what the material was tested to.
Rothband supplies certified attenuation data for every garment to support that assessment.
There is no single best core material. Traditional lead is a proven choice for higher-kV work; lead-free and bilayer composites can be lighter and better for long wear, but their attenuation varies more with beam quality, which is why IEC 61331 introduced more representative test methods. Some very light lead-free materials struggle to achieve the required attenuation across the full diagnostic range, and lead-free raw materials have risen sharply in cost. Bilayer materials combine complementary shielding layers, including controlled use of lead, to balance attenuation, weight and cost. Compare on certified lead equivalence and tested kV range, not weight alone.
It should cover what needs protecting without leaving gaps. IEC 61331-3 says operator aprons should cover the body from the throat to at least the knees, including the breastbone and shoulders. Sizing should correlate to body dimensions, with particular attention to the armholes and the areas around breast tissue. Correct fit matters for both protection and comfort; Rothband offers custom sizing.
Regularly, with professional guidance suggesting at least once a year. The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 expect regular inspection. Quick visual and tactile checks between inspections catch cracks, lumps, holes, sagging or broken fasteners early. New aprons should be radiographically checked before use for hidden manufacturing or transport damage.
Hang them on a proper apron hanger or rack. Do not fold, squash, drape over sharp hooks or sit on them. Bad storage helps cause cracks inside the apron’s protective core.
When it has cracks, tears, holes, sagging, damaged seams or fails screening. Age alone does not fail an apron; condition does. Rejection rules should be set locally with your Radiation Protection Adviser, especially if a defect sits over an important organ. Rothband offers an apron scanning service and X-Ray Track management software.
A protective apron, a thyroid collar and, for staff close to the patient, protective glasses. The lens of the eye is one of the most radiosensitive tissues, and chronic exposure to scatter is associated with radiation-induced cataract, which is why IRR17 cut the annual eye-lens dose limit from 150 mSv to 20 mSv. Mobile barriers and table shields add a further layer for operators and scrub staff.
Because the weight can be shared between shoulders and hips, and the top and skirt can be sized separately. Two-piece systems are often preferred by users who wear PPE for long procedures. Wrap-around designs such as Rothband’s TXRW offer double protection where the panels overlap. The final choice should still be made on protection plus fit, not comfort alone.
These answers are general guidance on radiation protection principles, written by Rothband (WSR Medical Solutions Ltd), a UK radiation protection manufacturer since 1911. They are not a substitute for your local rules, risk assessment or the advice of your Radiation Protection Adviser. For product specifications, certified attenuation data or sizing, contact sales@rothband.com.
Help me choose
Garment style, core material, lead equivalence options, sizing, barriers or shielding: describe your environment and a Rothband specialist will come back with appropriate options, aligned to your RPA’s guidance.
X-ray & radiation protection · United Kingdom
UK-manufactured radiation protection for healthcare professionals, from protective garments and eyewear to barriers and supporting equipment.
Find my protection
Tell us what you need and where it will be used, and we will point you at the categories that fit. If you are not sure, tell us what you are trying to protect against and a person will help.
Describe what you are trying to protect against and the environment you work in. An automated tool cannot determine your safety requirements; a Rothband specialist, working alongside your RPA’s guidance, can.
Ask a specialist →The range
Lightweight lead, lead-composite bilayer and lead-free protective garments in 0.25, 0.35 and 0.50 mm Pb. Two-piece top-and-kilt sets (TXRW, TXRF, TXRB Endurance, TXRW-Lite) share weight between shoulders and hips; full-length tabards (PXR) and wraps (WXR, WXRF) suit simpler workflows. Fabrics, patterns, bespoke prints and custom sizing available.
X-ray aprons at rothband.com →
Targeted protection for a radiosensitive gland that sits exposed at the neckline of most aprons. D-Type (TPD), magnetic D-Type (TPDM), TPB and TPV collars, available attached or separate, with organisation-branded options.
Thyroid collars at rothband.com →
Radiation protection glasses combining attenuation with clear vision and a secure fit for everyday wear. Wraparound, fit-over and sports-frame styles including Nike and Oakley frames, plano or prescription lenses, and protective side shields.
X-ray glasses at rothband.com →
Arm sleeves, protective headwear, lower-leg “cricket pads” and Mammo Shield axillary and breast protection for areas an apron does not cover during X-ray, fluoroscopy and interventional procedures.
Ancillary protection at rothband.com →
Mobile lead-equivalent screens, variable-height barriers with a window that moves between 115 and 188 cm, table-mounted lower body shields from 78 to 162 cm and multi-use table shields. Combine them to build a dose-reduction environment around your workflow.
Radiation barriers at rothband.com →
Mobile 10-arm hangers, mobile rail hangers, wall-mounted swing hangers and skirt-and-vest racks that keep garments hanging, organised and in good condition between uses. Good storage prevents the creasing and cracking that shortens garment life.
Apron storage at rothband.com →
Lead-lined doors from Code 3 (1.32 mm Pb) to Code 8 (3.55 mm Pb), lead glass viewing windows, lead curtains in 0.25 to 1.0 mm Pb, retro-fit wall panelling and safety warning lights. Designed, manufactured and installed by Rothband for healthcare, veterinary, dental and industrial environments, backed by a 10-year guarantee.
Structural protection at rothband.com →Why Rothband
W. S. Rothband & Co. introduced the world’s first X-ray cloth in 1911 by adding lead powder to its own rubber formulation. The company has specialised in radiology protection ever since, and since 2015 has been owned by the Dixon family, led by diagnostic radiographers.
Every garment is handcrafted in Haslingden, Lancashire, under an ISO 9001:2015 quality system, with core materials tested to IEC 61331-1 and certified attenuation data available for every product. Rothband supplies NHS trusts directly on purchase order and through NHS Supply Chain.
Beyond the products: an apron scanning service, X-Ray Track apron management software, Instadose personal dosimetry, a free apron care guide and a knowledge base written for the people who wear protection every day.
Knowledge
Written by a UK manufacturer, not a marketing department. Where a decision belongs with your Radiation Protection Adviser, we say so.
A lead apron is a protective garment that helps block scatter radiation when X-rays are being used. It protects people working near the X-ray beam, but it is only one part of staying safe, alongside room shielding, safe working rules and the right way of standing. Modern “lead” aprons may use traditional lead, lead-composite bilayer or lead-free cores.
No. A lead apron reduces a lot of the scatter radiation but does not stop everything. IEC 61331-3 treats aprons as protective devices used where other methods are insufficient or not applicable, and IAEA guidance presents them as one part of a wider occupational radiation protection approach. Radiation PPE for healthcare is designed to protect against X-rays, which behave differently from other types of ionising radiation.
Most IEC-approved aprons reduce dose by over 90%, depending on the X-ray energy and the apron’s lead-equivalent rating. The IAEA notes aprons may reduce dose by more than 90%. The European test standard is IEC 61331-1:2014, and your manufacturer should be able to provide test results for its core materials from its technical files.
It is the lead equivalence: a higher number means less radiation passes through. 0.25 mm Pb blocks a lot of scatter, 0.35 mm Pb more, and 0.50 mm Pb the most of the three. At 80 kV, 0.25 mm Pb attenuates about 90% and 0.50 mm Pb about 98%. Think about what still gets through: 10% versus 2% is a large difference in a high-scatter room. In practical terms 0.25 mm Pb is a lighter-duty option for lower exposure, 0.35 mm Pb a useful step up, and 0.50 mm Pb the greatest attenuation, usually with a weight penalty.
Through a radiation risk assessment with help from a Radiation Protection Adviser. The right value depends on your room, your role and the X-ray energies you are around. 0.25 mm Pb can be suitable in some lower-scatter jobs; busier interventional or higher-dose work may need more protection or a different style. For CT or other high-kV environments, BIR advises that PPE used above 125 kVp should meet or exceed the lead-equivalent values for 150 kVp, so check what the material was tested to.
Rothband supplies certified attenuation data for every garment to support that assessment.
There is no single best core material. Traditional lead is a proven choice for higher-kV work; lead-free and bilayer composites can be lighter and better for long wear, but their attenuation varies more with beam quality, which is why IEC 61331 introduced more representative test methods. Some very light lead-free materials struggle to achieve the required attenuation across the full diagnostic range, and lead-free raw materials have risen sharply in cost. Bilayer materials combine complementary shielding layers, including controlled use of lead, to balance attenuation, weight and cost. Compare on certified lead equivalence and tested kV range, not weight alone.
It should cover what needs protecting without leaving gaps. IEC 61331-3 says operator aprons should cover the body from the throat to at least the knees, including the breastbone and shoulders. Sizing should correlate to body dimensions, with particular attention to the armholes and the areas around breast tissue. Correct fit matters for both protection and comfort; Rothband offers custom sizing.
Regularly, with professional guidance suggesting at least once a year. The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 expect regular inspection. Quick visual and tactile checks between inspections catch cracks, lumps, holes, sagging or broken fasteners early. New aprons should be radiographically checked before use for hidden manufacturing or transport damage.
Hang them on a proper apron hanger or rack. Do not fold, squash, drape over sharp hooks or sit on them. Bad storage helps cause cracks inside the apron’s protective core.
When it has cracks, tears, holes, sagging, damaged seams or fails screening. Age alone does not fail an apron; condition does. Rejection rules should be set locally with your Radiation Protection Adviser, especially if a defect sits over an important organ. Rothband offers an apron scanning service and X-Ray Track management software.
A protective apron, a thyroid collar and, for staff close to the patient, protective glasses. The lens of the eye is one of the most radiosensitive tissues, and chronic exposure to scatter is associated with radiation-induced cataract, which is why IRR17 cut the annual eye-lens dose limit from 150 mSv to 20 mSv. Mobile barriers and table shields add a further layer for operators and scrub staff.
Because the weight can be shared between shoulders and hips, and the top and skirt can be sized separately. Two-piece systems are often preferred by users who wear PPE for long procedures. Wrap-around designs such as Rothband’s TXRW offer double protection where the panels overlap. The final choice should still be made on protection plus fit, not comfort alone.
These answers are general guidance on radiation protection principles, written by Rothband (WSR Medical Solutions Ltd), a UK radiation protection manufacturer since 1911. They are not a substitute for your local rules, risk assessment or the advice of your Radiation Protection Adviser. For product specifications, certified attenuation data or sizing, contact sales@rothband.com.
Help me choose
Garment style, core material, lead equivalence options, sizing, barriers or shielding: describe your environment and a Rothband specialist will come back with appropriate options, aligned to your RPA’s guidance.
