The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has served an Improvement Notice on GE Healthcare Ltd due to shortfalls in training for staff involved in the transport of radioactive material.
The administrative shortfalls were discovered following an ONR investigation into a road traffic collision involving a vehicle carrying radiopharmaceuticals for GE Healthcare Ltd.
ONR's enquiries found that GE Healthcare Ltd employees were not correctly trained for the transportation of Class 7 Goods (radioactive materials), or in suitable emergency response procedures.
It is required by law that all persons receive suitable training appropriate to their responsibilities and duties for transport of radioactive material.
The incident occurred on 16 February at around 3am near York while the vehicle was in transit from Birmingham Airport to various locations. Minor damage was caused to a radiopharmaceutical package during the incident.
The driver was uninjured and there was no risk to the public or the environment.
Radiopharmaceuticals are radioactive medicines commonly used for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as cancer which are routinely transported to medical facilities across the country.
Transport arrangements must meet legal requirements that are regulated by ONR to protect workers and the public.
An ONR spokesperson said: "We have determined that GE Healthcare Ltd, as an employer, is contravening the below legal requirements with regard to the training of persons involved in the carriage of dangerous goods.
"We will engage with GE Healthcare Ltd during the period of the Improvement Notice to ensure adequate progress is made to address the shortfalls."
Buckinghamshire-based GE Healthcare Ltd must ensure duty freight officers are appropriately trained and the Improvement Notice complied with by 30 September 2022.
The Improvement Notice has been issued under the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009, Regulation 5 – Carriage to be in accordance with ADR or RID.