- Site: Transport Competent Authority
- IR number: 21-046
- Date: March 2022
- 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 2021 during this inspection (www.unece.org).
Purpose of Intervention
The purpose of the inspection was to review Gloucestershire Hospitals Trust’s arrangements associated with the road transport of radioactive material. ONR carried out this inspection at the Gloucester Royal Hospital site on 10th March 2022.
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 Contingency Planning and/or 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;
- adequate Transport Documentation – ADR 5.4;
- adequate Security arrangements – ADR 1.10;
- Equipment on Board – ADR 8.1.5.2; 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 Gloucestershire Hospitals Trust 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 registration under IRR17, suitable contingency plans, correct vehicle equipment and training for staff. The inspector identified one non-compliance and discussed this during the inspection, which related to details within the radiation risk assessment.
During the inspection, the inspector also suggested certain improvements to transport practices that would be prudent for Gloucestershire Hospitals Trust to consider.
Conclusion of Intervention
Gloucestershire Hospitals Trust 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 one non-compliance with relevant legislation and suggested five improvements. The inspector discussed these during the inspection and Gloucestershire Hospitals Trust gave a commitment to address them.
The inspector gave Gloucestershire Hospitals Trust until 25th April 2022 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 AMBER, due to there being specific legal requirements not met, but without prejudice to overall safety or security objectives.
ONR will monitor the identified non-compliances through its Issues Management arrangements.