- Site: Transport Competent Authority
- IR number: 21-029
- Date: September 2021
- LC numbers: N/A
Executive summary
ONR regulates the civil transport of radioactive material by road, rail and inland waterway in Great Britain (GB). The ONR Transport Competent Authority (TCA) is responsible for delivering non-nuclear transport inspection and enforcement activities. This particular inspection forms part of that delivery function with reference to Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (CDG), the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17) and the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2019 (REPPIR19). CDG refers to the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) and ONR used ADR 2019 during this inspection (www.unece.org).
Purpose of Intervention
The purpose of the inspection was to review John Innes Centre’s arrangements associated with the road transport of radioactive material. ONR carried out this inspection at John Innes Centre’s Norwich Research Park site on 21 October 2021.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
The chosen inspection sample included:
- notification, registration or consent – IRR17 regulation 5, 6 or 7;
- a suitable and sufficient radiation risk assessment (RRA) – IRR17 regulation 8;
- suitable and sufficient measures to restrict exposure – IRR17 regulation 9;
- suitable and sufficient contingency planning and emergency arrangements – IRR17 regulation 13 and CDG 2009 regulation 24 & schedule 2;
- adequate information, instruction and training – IRR17 regulation 15 and ADR 1.3.1;
- classification of material and package selection – ADR 2.2.7.2.4.1;
- adequate safety advice – ADR 1.8.3 and IRR17 regulation 14;
- contamination levels – ADR 4.1.9.1.2;
- adequate transport documentation – ADR 5.1.5.4.2;
- adequate security arrangements – ADR 1.10; and
- a suitable and sufficient management system – ADR 1.7.3.
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
The inspector sampled the arrangements deployed by John Innes Centre for the safe transport of radioactive materials, including the associated arrangements for protecting workers against the effects of ionising radiations and reducing risks as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP).
The inspector compared relevant statutory requirements with both prescribed arrangements and actual practice. The inspector identified a number of examples of the dutyholder meeting relevant good practice in reducing risk to levels that are ALARP, including holding an appropriate registration, a good standard radiation risk assessment, measures to restrict exposure, suitable RPA/RPS cover and information, instruction and training. The inspector identified two non-compliances and discussed these during the inspection, which included classification of material and package selection for mixtures of radionuclides and contingency planning.
During the inspection, the inspector also suggested certain improvements to transport practices that would be prudent for John Innes Centre to consider.
Conclusion of Intervention
John Innes Centre demonstrated that for certain aspects of its operations it met the requirements of CDG, ADR and IRR17. Based on the inspection sample, the inspector identified two non-compliances with relevant legislation and suggested two improvements. The inspector discussed these during the inspection and John Innes Centre gave a commitment to address them.
The inspector gave John Innes Centre until 2 December 2021 to provide ONR either with evidence that the findings have been resolved, or an appropriate resolution plan with timescales for completion.
For this intervention, the inspector assigned an inspection rating of GREEN, due to there being relatively minor, deficiencies in compliance arrangements.
ONR will monitor the identified non-compliances through its Issues Management arrangements.