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Version 5 of the UK Recovery Handbook for Radiation Incidents( from UKHSA) was published in August 2024. The handbook is a tool to support decisionmakers in developing a remediation strategy following a nuclear accident or malicious use of radioactive material. It is a compilation of practical information that can be used to identify the important issues at stake and to evaluate remedial protective actions for inhabited areas, food production, and drinking water supplies.
The handbook can be used in preparedness to engage stakeholders; to develop local, regional, and national plans; and to identify gaps in recovery capability. In the postemergency phase, it can be used to aid decisions when developing a recovery strategy. It can also be used during exercises and for training and familiarisation purposes.
Version 5 represents a major update from the previous version. New chapters are included on the framework for recovery and waste management; information on protective actions has been reviewed and updated; and the decision-aiding framework for remediation has been revised.
The Ionising Radiation( Medical Exposure) Amendment Regulations 2024 came into force in England, Scotland and Wales on 1 October 2024. The scope of the regulations was extended so that all provisions which applied to medical exposures now also apply to non-medical imaging exposures. For more details see UKHSA ' s Medical Exposures Group Update September 2024. Guidance to the Ionising Radiation( Medical Exposure) Regulations was also updated.
In November 2024, the Office for Nuclear Regulation( ONR) and the environmental regulators published updated guidance that sets out their regulatory expectations on the prevention and management of radioactive and non-radioactive contamination of the ground and water on nuclear licensed sites. It identifies five key principles that regulators expect nuclear site licensees to consider in order to prevent contamination, and to ensure that if it does occur, or has already occurred, it is managed safely and that any unacceptable risks to people or the environment are mitigated. Following changes introduced in 2018, it also addresses the need for nuclear site licensees to complete a Waste Management Plan and Site-Wide Environmental Safety Case in order to comply with environmental permit or authorisation requirements.
The Radioactive Materials Transport User Committee( RAMTUC) has published guidance on the estimation of transport accident doses to support radiation risk assessments required by the Ionising Radiation Regulations( 2017). Anyone wishing to use this guidance should register as a new user on the RAMTUC website. The guidance can be accessed once registration is approved.
SRP ' s Legislation & Standards Committee( L & S) is chaired by Laura Butchins( ONR) and from May, its Secretary is Alex Robins( Cavendish Nuclear). L & S raises awareness of new legislation, regulations, standards and guidance and co-ordinates SRP ' s responses as appropriate.
34 Radiation Protection Today www. srp-rpt. uk