The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has served a prohibition notice on Sai G Logistics Ltd that prevents them from carrying radioactive materials until they comply fully with transport regulations.
ONR issued the prohibition notice following an inspection at the company’s Slough premises on 28 March 2023.
Companies that transport radioactive material must have assessed the risks and have procedures in place to ensure it is handled appropriately and in accordance with transport regulations.
This prohibition notice has been issued under the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (As Amended) and the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017.
These regulations also require organisations transporting radioactive material to appoint and consult a Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser and a Radiation Protection Adviser, who will recommend the actions they must take to comply with legislation.
ONR’s inspection highlighted that Sai G Logistics Ltd was transporting radioactive material for use in the industrial and medical sectors, but had not appointed suitable advisers. They had also not carried out the required activities needed to identify risks and restrict the exposure of individuals to ionising radiation, or processes for the safe transport of radioactive material.
No harm was caused to employees, the public or the environment due to the identified shortfalls.
The prohibition notice requires Sai G Logistics Ltd to halt all transport of radioactive material until the shortfalls have been resolved.
ONR will engage regularly with the company to monitor their progress.
Geoff Frackelton, Head of ONR’s Transport Competent Authority, said: “ONR’s inspection found there were unmanaged risks to the public and employees if the company continued to transport radioactive material.
“Consequently, we issued the prohibition notice for the company to cease transport until such time as these risks are assessed and suitable control measures put in place to mitigate them.”