HSE School Inspections: Radioactive Sources
The Common Issues Which HSE Found in Schools During Their Recent Inspections
Following the completion of a series of school inspections, The HSE met with CLEAPSS to discuss their findings. These are the common issues they found.
Outdated Sources
Many schools still retain outdated sources; any source marked with a double red border in guide L093 (or any source absent from L093) must be disposed of due to the absence of a risk assessment allowing their retention. Additionally, there is a concern because a significant number of these older sources have deteriorated to an unsafe condition.
Following Recent Guidance
It is imperative that you can demonstrate your engagement with the advice contained in the most recent editions of L093 and GL016, showing how the L93 risk assessments align with the suitable and sufficient requirements of the Approved Code of Practice L121. One effective way to achieve this is by maintaining annotated hard copies of both documents in the science department. Furthermore, the RPS(Schools) should be well-informed about dose rates as outlined in GL016.
Outdated Inventories
The HSE has identified schools with incomplete or outdated inventories, including unrecorded sources in storage. Ensure that your source inventory is accurate.
Source-Use Log
The source-use log must include a record of information provided to 6th form students who use the sources, along with the names of the students involved.
Training
Staff and RPS(Schools) training should be updated at least every five years. Training of staff can be conducted by the RPS(Schools) and should be documented.
Contingency Plans
Contingency plans are crucial; staff should be informed about the actions to take in the event of a serious incident. While there is no requirement for a physical rehearsal, this information should be included in training and refresher sessions, as discussed in what the HSE terms a "desktop rehearsal." Such participation should be noted in your training records. It's important to note that dropping a sealed source does not qualify as a radiation accident, but the training should still encompass how to handle such situations.
Additional Information
While the aforementioned points 1-6 are already covered in the current edition of L93, it's essential to highlight that the HSE's interpretation of a suitable monthly store check record requires individual itemisation of each source. The record should indicate that each source has been confirmed as present in the store. Writing 'All present' or similar entries in the record sheet will not be accepted by the HSE.
CLEAPSS are currently in the process of revising L93 to underscore these points and incorporate several other changes as part of our periodic review of the risk assessment guidance. The new edition is scheduled for release in Spring 2024, and when it is issued, they will provide an online update for RPS(Schools).