The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has served improvement notices on two companies after shortfalls were identified in compliance with transport regulations.
ONR issued the enforcement action to Reviss Services (UK) Ltd, a provider of gamma radiation technology services, and Transrad SA, a radioactive and nuclear transport carrier.
Inspectors found that Transrad SA had been transporting high-activity sealed radioactive sources without the relevant consent from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Following an ONR inspection at Reviss' premises in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, in December, it was confirmed that Transrad SA, based in Belgium, had been transporting radioactive material throughout 2024 to and from Reviss’s UK headquarters without obtaining the correct regulatory permission.
It was established that Transrad's radiation risk assessment was not suitable or sufficient and there was no evidence that a Radiation Protection Advisor (RPA) had been consulted to meet correct legal requirements.
And it was judged by ONR's inspectors that Reviss, when using the carrier services of another organisation, had not complied with legislation that consignments meet the requirements of the Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR).
ONR has served the improvement notice on Transrad under the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 Regulation 8 and on Reviss under the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009, Regulation 5.
There were no consequences to the public or the environment as a result of these shortfalls.
Nick Blackburn, Principal Inspector from ONR's Transport Competent Authority, said: "We identified shortfalls relating to the carrier's radiation risk assessments and the consignor's subsequent contravention of the required legislation.
"All companies involved in the transport of Class 7 dangerous goods, including all sub-contractors within a scheduled operation, must ensure their legal provisions to provide this service are compliant with current legislation.
“We will engage with all the companies involved during the period of the improvement notices to ensure positive progress is made to address the shortfalls.”
Both organisations have until 31 March to comply with the improvement notices.