- Site: Transport Competent Authority
- IR number: 22-002
- Date: April 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 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 Medicines Discovery Catapult Limited’s arrangements associated with the road transport of radioactive material. ONR carried out this inspection at Medicines Discovery Catapult Limited’s Palatine Road premises on 21 April 2022.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
The chosen inspection sample included:
- Notification, registration or consent – IRR17 Regulation 5, 6 or 7;
- Radiation Protection Adviser – IRR17 Regulation 14;
- Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser – ADR 1.8.3;
- Radiation Protection Supervisors – IRR17 Regulation 18;
- Transport package compliance – ADR 5.1.5.2.3;
- 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/or emergency arrangements – IRR17 Regulation 13 and CDG 2009 Regulation 24 & Schedule 2;
- Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA) Report – ADR 1.8.3.3;
- Dangerous goods transport document and related information – ADR 5.4.1; and
- Non-fixed contamination limits – ADR 4.1.9.1.2.
Key Findings, Inspector’s Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
The inspector sampled the arrangements deployed by Medicines Discovery Catapult Limited for the 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. A number of examples of the dutyholder meeting relevant good practice in reducing risk to levels that are as low as reasonably practicable were identified; having appropriate HSE consents and registration, having appropriate Radiation Protection Adviser, Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser and Radiation Protection Supervisor appointments, having a transport Radiation Risk Assessment and a transport contingency plan and having an appropriate transport document (consignment note).
The inspector identified two non-compliances and discussed these during the inspection; the need to test the transport contingency plan and undertake appropriate contamination monitoring.
During the inspection, the inspector also suggested certain improvements to transport practices that would be prudent for Medicines Discovery Catapult Limited to consider.
Conclusion of Intervention
Medicines Discovery Catapult Limited demonstrated that for aspects of its transport 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 seven improvements. The inspector discussed these during the inspection and Medicines Discovery Catapult Limited gave a commitment to address them.
The inspector gave Medicines Discovery Catapult Limited until 9 June 2022 to provide ONR either with evidence that the findings had been resolved, or an appropriate resolution plan with timescales for completion.
ONR will monitor the identified non-compliances through its Issues Management arrangements.
For this intervention, the inspector gave an overall IIS Rating of GREEN to reflect that legal duties are generally complied with, although there were two contraventions of specific administrative requirements.