Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001

Off-site emergency plan

9.—(1) The Executive shall arrange for the preparation of an adequate emergency plan (in these Regulations referred to as an “off-site emergency plan”) for any premises at which there is carried out work with ionising radiation to which these Regulations apply, and in respect of which an assessment made by the operator pursuant to regulation 4(1) or regulation 5 shows that it is reasonably foreseeable that a radiation emergency might arise (having regard to the steps taken by the operator under regulation 4(2)).

(2) The off-site emergency plan shall be designed to secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the restriction of exposure to ionising radiation and the health and safety of persons who may be affected by such reasonably foreseeable emergencies as are identified in the assessment referred to in paragraph (1) and the plan shall be prepared in respect of such area as in the opinion of the Executive any member of the public is likely to be affected by such radiation emergencies.

(3) Without prejudice to paragraphs (1) and (2), the off-site emergency plan shall contain the information specified in Part III of Schedule 7.

(4) The off-site emergency plan prepared pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) shall address each reasonably foreseeable radiation emergency that has been identified by the operator for the purposes of regulation 7(1).

(5) Where an assessment has been made pursuant to regulation 4(1), within 28 days of sending the report of the assessment to the Executive in accordance with regulation 6(1), the operator shall supply to the Executive such information as is necessary for the purpose of enabling the Executive to arrange for the preparation of the off-site emergency plan required by paragraph (1).

(6) Without prejudice to paragraph (5), the operator shall further supply to the Executive—

(a)any additional information the Executive may reasonably request to enable the off-site emergency plan to be prepared; and

(b)details of any material change to the information provided under paragraph (5) resulting from—

(i)a further assessment made pursuant to regulation 5(1) or (2); or

(ii)a revision of the operator’s emergency plan pursuant to regulation 10(1).

(7) The information provided to the Executive pursuant to paragraphs (5) or (6)(a) shall be reviewed and where necessary revised by the operator at suitable intervals not exceeding 3 years from the date at which information was last supplied to the Executive under those paragraphs and the operator shall within 28 days inform the Executive of the outcome of that review.

(8) The operator shall, within 28 days of any further assessment or revision referred to in paragraph (6)(b) inform the Executive of any material change to the information supplied arising from that assessment or review.

(9) Subject to paragraph (10), the off-site emergency plan shall be prepared no later than 6 months (or such longer period as the Department may agree in writing) after the receipt by the Executive of the information referred to in paragraph (5).

(10) The off-site emergency plan shall be prepared before the operator carries out work with ionising radiation to which the assessment made in accordance with regulation 4(1) applies.

(11) The off-site emergency plan shall be drawn up having regard to the principles set out in Part I of Schedule 8.

(12) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraphs (1) and (2), the off-site emergency plan shall secure, where appropriate, intervention for the purposes set out in Part II of Schedule 8.

(13) For the purpose of preparing an off-site emergency plan pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) or of reviewing the plan pursuant to regulation 10(1), the Executive shall consult—

(a)the operator carrying out the work with ionising radiation to which the plan relates, the emergency services, each Health and Social Services Board in the vicinity of the premises of the operator and the Department of the Environment; and

(b)such other persons, bodies and authorities and members of the public as the Executive considers appropriate.

(14) Once the off-site emergency plan has been prepared, the Executive shall confirm in writing to the operator that such preparation has taken place.

(15) The employer of any employee who may be required to participate in the implementation of an off-site emergency plan shall ensure that such employees of his are, or have been, provided with—

(a)suitable and sufficient information, instruction and training; and

(b)the equipment necessary to restrict that employee’s exposure to ionising radiation including, where appropriate, the issue of suitable dosemeters or other devices.