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Compliance inspection Transport of Radioactive Materials (Class 7 dangerous goods)

  • Site: Springfields
  • IR number: 21-154
  • Date: January 2022
  • LC numbers: N/A

Executive summary

Purpose of Intervention

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 transport inspection and enforcement activities. This inspection forms part of that 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). 

Purpose of Intervention

The purpose of the inspection was to review Springfields Fuels Ltd’s (SFL) arrangements associated with the safe road transport of radioactive material.

Interventions Carried Out by ONR

The inspection sample examined:

  • a suitable and sufficient radiation risk assessment (RRA) – IRR17 Regulation 8;
  • suitable and sufficient Contingency Planning and/or Emergency Arrangements – IRR17 Regulation 13 and CDG 2009 Regulation 24 & Schedule 2.

Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made

The inspector examined the arrangements deployed by SFL for the safe transport of radioactive materials, including the associated arrangements for protecting workers against the effects of ionising radiations. 

The inspector compared relevant statutory requirements with both prescribed arrangements and actual practice. The inspector identified a number of examples of the duty-holder meeting relevant good practice, including their emergency incident management process. The inspector identified one non-compliance related to their Radiation Risk Assessment.

During the inspection, the inspector also suggested certain improvements to transport practices that would be prudent for SFL to consider.

Conclusion of Intervention

 SFL demonstrated overall that for those aspects examined it met the requirements of CDG, ADR, IRR17 and REPPIR19. One non-compliance with relevant legislation was identified and SFL undertook to address this issue.

ONR will monitor progress with the non-compliance through routine regulatory business.