Intervention planning for licensees

The EPA, has the legal power to direct licensees to plan for an accident or an emergency where a practice could give rise to a significant hazard to a member of the public.

When directed in writing by the EPA you, as a licensee, are required to:

• Evaluate the possibility of a radiological emergency
• Estimate how widely radioactive substances could be dispersed
• Estimate the likely timescale of the hazard
• Estimate the potential dose to workers and the public
• Prepare an emergency intervention plan in consultation with the EPA and the relevant local authority
• Submit a copy of the intervention plan to the EPA Office of Radiological Protection and the local authority as soon as it is prepared
• Carry out drills and exercises at regular intervals to test the plan
• Ensure that trained personnel are available to provide technical, medical and health back-up
• Provide suitable instruction to ensure that everyone who may be involved in, or affected by the plan clearly understands the arrangements.

Certain categories of licensee have been directed to prepare intervention plans. These include licensees who:

• Transport radioactive materials
• Carry out industrial radiography
• Research or use industrial irradiation
• Use nuclear medicine or radiotherapy
• Have six or more sealed radioactive sources in density or level gauges

The level of detail set out in the plan should reflect the potential hazards anticipated.  Generic plans may be appropriate for certain practices where the consequences of any accident or incident are likely to be similar – e.g. site radiography; transportation of radioactive materials.