Regulatory Controls Flashcards
What is a sealed source?
A radioactive source whose structure prevents,under normal conditions of use, dispersion of the radioactive substance.
Which items are not considered sealed sources?
A nuclear reactor
Any fuel element
Electro deposited sources
Tritium foils
What is a High-activity Sealed Source ?
A sealed source which exceeds the legislated A/D activity for that source.
What is an open source?
Radioactive material which is not a sealed source and which is not waste.
What is radioactive waste?
Any open or sealed source which is no longer a source; and the activity cannot be disregarded (IRR17) or the concentration is too high to be exempt (EPR2016)
When does a source no longer a source (give examples)?
- Open sources beyond expiry
- Open sources no longer fit for patient administration
Waste products accumulating in shielded storage - Liquid source discharged to drain
- Open source transferred to another permit holder
- Sealed source disposal or transfer
RAM Control legislation
EPR2016 RSA93 HASS2005 Hazardous waste regs 2005 IRR17
Describe EPR2016
The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016
Governing how much radioactive material can be held for what purpose at any site, how it is kept and used (records, security, procedures, training), and how radioactive waste is disposed of.
What does EPR regulate?
- Industrial (installations) activities
- Mobile plant
- Waste operations
- Mining waste operations
- Water discharges
- Groundwater activities
- Radioactive substances
EPR site requirements
1) A public environmental permit
2) A standard rules permit for cat 5 sources
3) Enviro Security Permit - sealed sources and waste management
When is an EPR Permit required? What does it cover?
- Required for change or address / name
- Require a management sys
- Permit defines use of the source
- Site cannot exceed permitted activity
- Contingency plan
What must an EPR contingency plan cover?
1) Loss or escape of a source
2) Unauth access to a source
3) Premises access other than an auth users
EPR storage requirements
- Containers to be constructed of non-combustible materials
- Not co-located with corrosive, explosive or flammable materials
- Labelling must meet legal requirements for radioactive material
- Storage premises must resist contamination and be easily decontaminated
EPR what to do if a source is lost ?
- Inform the Police & EA (N.B. IRR17 may require the HSE to be informed)
- Recover the sources as far as is reasonably practicable
- Report the circumstances in writing to the EA ASAP
EPR what to do if source escapes ? (due to fire or damage)
- Inform the EA (without delay)
- Prevent further escape
- Minimise the spread of contamination
- Ensure that any discharge of radioactive gas to atmosphere is made in a manner which prevents entry into any building
- Notify the EA in writing