3. Notifications
Contents
3.1 Notifications to the Health and safety Executive (HSE)
3.2 Notifications to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
3.2.1 Registration for the Keeping and Use of Radioactive Substances
3.2.2 Authorisation for the Disposal of Radioactive Substances
3.3 Notification of Loss, Theft or Significant Spillage of Radionuclides
3. Notifications
3.1 Notifications to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Note: All Notifications and Authorisations to the HSE must be carried out via the Radiation Protection Service on behalf of the University.
In accordance with Regulation 6 of the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999, the HSE must be notified 28 days prior to work with ionising radiation (either radioactive sources or X-ray generators) for the first time in a School/Unit or if there is a significant change to the original notification.
Authorisation is required from the HSE prior to the use of X-ray equipment and for research, exposure of persons for medical treatment, processing of products and industrial radiography and for the use of accelerators (though not for electron microscopes). The HSE has produced generic authorisations for such equipment and School/Units should ensure that their equipment complies with these authorisations. Where equipment does not comply with generic authorisations, then a specific application will have to be made to the HSE.
3.2 Notifications to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
Note: All applications for Registration and Authorisations must be carried out by the Radiation Protection Service.
3.2.1 Registration for the Keeping and Use of Radioactive Substances
Under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993, all Schools/Units wishing to work with radioactive substances must obtain a Certificate of Registration with SEPA prior to work with radioactive substances. This registration will detail which radionuclides may be stored at a specific site and how much of each radionuclide may be stored. All workers should be aware that it is a criminal offence to exceed the Registration Limits set for that School/Unit.
The Certificate of Registration should be posted in a prominent place in all 'Controlled' / 'Supervised' areas in the School/Unit.
3.2.2 Authorisation for the Disposal of Radioactive Substances.
Under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993, all Schools/Units working with radioactive substances need a Certificate of Authorisation from SEPA for the accumulation and disposal of waste radioactivity. This Certificate will detail what radionuclides and how much of each radionuclide can be accumulated and disposed of per month. A copy of the Certificate must be posted in a prominent position in all 'Controlled' / 'Supervised' areas in the School/Unit. All workers should be aware that it is a criminal offence to accumulate and dispose of radionuclides without a Certificate of Authorisation.
3.3 Notification of Loss, Theft or Significant Spillage of Radionuclides
Whenever there are reasonable grounds for believing or suspecting that a registered source or any amount of a registered radioactive substance has been lost or stolen, or there is a significant release of radioactivity due to an accident, then the URPA must be informed immediately. The URPA will ensure that:
- Notification to that effect is given forthwith by the quickest means available to SEPA and to a member of the police force and in writing as soon as possible to HSE;
- Take all practicable measures to recover the source, contain the spillage.