Chamber and committees

The Office for Nuclear Regulation, as the independent Great Britain Competent Authority for the transport of Class 7 (radioactive material) dangerous goods, has provided assurance to Scottish Government that the amended regulations should not have an anticipated impact on the arrangements for movement of radioactive materials from Dounreay to Sellafield or international destinations, whatever the mode of transport.

The Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Amendment) Regulations 2019 (CDG2019) came in to force on the 21 April 2019. The amendment makes some changes to emergency preparedness and response duties for carriers and consignors of radioactive materials to prevent or mitigate the consequences should a radiation emergency occur during transport.

In response to the CDG2019 regulations, the Dounreay operator has now produced a set of detailed transport specific radiation risk assessments for each of the flasks and packages used to move nuclear materials from the site. Risk assessments cover a wide range of considerations (however unlikely the event) such as the nature of the source, planned systems of work, possible accident situations and estimated radiation dose rates to which anyone can be exposed.

I understand that risk assessments can then be used, if necessary, to further control elements of operations to minimise the likelihood of any emergency event.

When conducting a radiation risk assessment, the Dounreay operator must consult a radiation protection adviser (RPA) and in addition the appointed safety representative(s) or employees, as designated by the Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996.5.