CMNT_TITLE

Radiation Protection Convention, 1960 (No. 115) - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (RATIFICATION: 1962)

Further to its observations, the Committee requests the Government to provide additional information on the following points.

Article 14 of the Convention. Alternative employment or other measures offered for maintaining income where continued assignment to work involving exposure to ionizing radiation is medically inadvisable. The Committee notes the response provided by the Government indicating that workers prohibited from continued assignment to work involving exposure to ionizing radiation, pursuant to regulation 24(6) of Ionizing Radiations Regulations 1999 (IRR99), are entitled to a comprehensive system of benefits. The Committee asks the Government to provide further information on the benefits available to such workers, including criteria of eligibility; any time limits imposed as to duration of eligibility; and information on the application of regulation 24(6) in practice.

Article 15 and Part V of the report form. Labour inspection and application in practice. The Committee notes the information stating that an estimated 40,000 premises have been notified under IRR99; that the Health and Safety Executive estimates approximately 250 inspections per annum are carried out under IRR99; and that two cases of prosecutions for contravention of IRR99 were taken during the period under review. The Committee also notes the information indicating that an estimated three incidents (one major) involving ionizing/non‑ionizing radiation occurred between 2003 and 2006, and that various measures are taken to remedy the causes of such accidents, including enforcement action, inspection and publicity through communications. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the application of the Convention in practice, including the number and nature of contraventions; and the number and nature of accidents reported.