1. National Enforcement of Radon in the Workplace (UK)
Gareth Thomas HM Specialist Inspector (Radiation) HSE Cardiff
Tel :

2. Increasing commitment !
Overview
Increasing commitment !
No competent authority has the resources to act alone.
This presentation is about:
Providing you with ideas
Seeking ideas in return
Health & Safety Executive

3. Radon in the UK Workplace
Overview of presentation
Who am I ?
Overview of radon risks in the UK
Legal requirements for UK workplaces
National enforcement strategy
HSE strategy 1985 – 2005
HSE strategy 2005 – 2010
Conclusions
Health & Safety Executive

4. Radioactive materials/ radiation generators/ non-ionising radiations
My role/ job
Radioactive materials/ radiation generators/
non-ionising radiations
Inspection
Investigation
Advice
Cross-government
National programmes
Commissioning research
Development of regulations
Assisting ~ 800
General Inspectors
Health & Safety Executive

5. My role/ job HSE Inspectors’ powers:
Right to arrive at any time, inspect workplace, speak to anyone, take photographs and samples.
Enforcement: Informal, Improvement notice, Prohibition notice, Prosecution.
Information for employees
Provide advice
Take any other action necessary
Health & Safety Executive

6. All users of radiation:
My role/ job
Radiation Specialist Inspector …
All users of radiation:
Industry
Medicine
Research
Teaching
Defence
Inspection
Investigation
Advice
Cross-government
National programmes
Commissioning research
Developing regulations
Health & Safety Executive

7. My role/ job Radiation Specialist Inspector … Inspection Investigation
Advice
Cross-government
National programmes
Commissioning research
Developing regulations
Accidents
Incidents
Complaints
Exposures
Releases
Loss
Theft
Health & Safety Executive

8. My role/ job Radiation Specialist Inspector … Inspection Investigation
Written
Verbal
Telephone
Leaflets/ Web
Articles
Lecturing
Training
Inspection
Investigation
Advice
Cross-government
National programmes
Commissioning research
Developing regulations
Health & Safety Executive

9. Government departments
My role/ job
Radiation Specialist Inspector …
Inspection
Investigation
Advice
Cross-government
National programmes
Commissioning research
Developing regulations
Health & Safety Executive
Government ministers
Government departments
Public bodies

10. My role/ job Radiation Specialist Inspector … Inspection Investigation
EG. Hospital audits
Site radiography
Radon
Inspection
Investigation
Advice
Cross-government
National programmes
Commissioning research
Developing regulations
Health & Safety Executive

11. Interventional radiology
My role/ job
Radiation Specialist Inspector …
Inspection
Investigation
Advice
Cross-government
National programmes
Commissioning research
Developing regulations
Health & Safety Executive
Radon
Interventional radiology
Dosimetry
NORM

12. Overview of radon risks in the UK
% houses above 200 Bq / m3
> 30
3 - 10
1 - 3
< 1
Health & Safety Executive
Ie. The UK has very good mapping from many years of domestic measurements.

13. Overview of radon risks in the UK
Basic data:
5-7% of lung cancer deaths, approximately 2,500 people per year total (cf. asbestos disease fatalities 3,000/ yr)
160,000 workplaces in affected areas
16,000 workplaces > 400 Bq m-2 (max 7.1 M Bq m-2)
90 to 280 lung cancers per year from occupational exposure
< 5% lung cancer ‘curable
Health & Safety Executive

14. Overview of radon risks in the UK
Total 2.6 mSv
Health & Safety Executive
Contributions to the annual radiation dose to the average individual in the UK [2]

15. Overview of radon risks in the UK
10 major (respiratory) carcinogens in UK workplaces:
Crystalline silica
Radon
Passive tobacco smoke
Solar radiation
Diesel exhaust
Woos dust
Benzene
Ethylene dibromide
Inorganic lead compounds
Chemicals used in hairdressing
83% of total number of employees exposed
Health & Safety Executive

16. Overview of radon risks in the UK
major (respiratory) carcinogens in UK workplaces:
decorating paints
chromium IV compounds
tetrachloroethylene
coal tar products
iron & steel foundries
asbestos
formaldehyde
nickel compounds
acid mists
cadmium containing compounds
14% of total number of employees exposed
Health & Safety Executive

17. Legal requirements for UK workplaces
In all workplaces ……
Employers must assess risks of radon
Usually means measurement
If above 400 Bq/m3
Must take ALARA action
Usually remediation of building
Engineering control
Systems of work
Dose limits
(New buildings built after 1992 should be OK)
Health & Safety Executive

18. National enforcement strategy
Target employers in radon affected areas
Raise employers awareness of risk of lung cancer
from radon in the workplace
Employers responsibility for protecting employees
Provide advice & direction
Require appropriate risk assessment/ measurement
Require any necessary remedial action
Inform employees & encourage home measurements
Health & Safety Executive

19. National enforcement strategy
Summary of 100 trial inspections in 2002
Most employers aware of radon in homes
< 5% considered it in their workplace
99% agree to act immediately
Employers remediate quickly
Remediated buildings << 400 Bq/m3
Health & Safety Executive

20. National enforcement strategy
Reduce incidences ill health caused by exposure to radon at work by ensuring that all employers in affected areas assess the risks and effectively remediate where appropriate.
Aim
Health & Safety Executive
50% of workplaces assessed risk by 2010.
(2002 baseline 8%)
Get 500 employers in radon affected areas to do measurements in 2005.
Targets
Methods
13 planned initiatives.

21. National enforcement strategy
C. Direct contact with employers
Health & Safety Executive
B. Working with stakeholders and
intermediaries
A. Provision of information and advice

22. National enforcement strategy
A. Provision of information and advice
Health & Safety Executive
11. Publicity campaign (inc articles in professional journals).
12. Update HSE guidance on radon and ensure web site availability.
13. Health & safety training programmes

23. National enforcement strategy
B. Working with stakeholders and intermediaries
Health & Safety Executive
7. Advice from Building Inspectors
8. Joint Trade Unions initiatives
9. Encourage professional bodies and organisations to raise the profile
10. Joint action with other government departments and Local Authorities.

24. National enforcement strategy
C. Direct contact
1. Routine inspection by HSE inspectors during normal work.
2. Advice from HSE Health and Safety Awareness Officers (HSAOs) during their routine work.
3. Intensive inspections programmes in high radon areas.
4. Targeting large employers through head offices.
5. Targeted mail shots in very 'hot' local areas.
6. Closer work with Local Authority Health & Safety inspectors.
Health & Safety Executive

25. National enforcement strategy
C. Direct contact with employers
Health & Safety Executive
B. Working with stakeholders and
intermediaries
A. Provision of information and advice

26. Radon in the UK Workplace
Conclusion - Benefits
Radon is overwhelmingly the major source of employee radiation exposure.
90 to 280 potential lung cancer deaths per year from breathing in radon in the workplace is an extremely serious workplace risk.
< 5% of employers in high radon areas have measured radon level.
Mitigation in homes and workplaces that have measured is extremely low.
Employers cannot not continue to ignore exposure to radon in workplaces.
Health & Safety Executive

27. Radon in the UK Workplace
Conclusion - Costs
Solutions can usually be found without excessive cost.
The risks are significant and fully justify government and employer resource allocation.
Implementation of these initiatives described by the various stakeholders working together will maximise their collective influence on radon health and safety.
Increased awareness and enforcement of the legislation in workplaces may encourage more employees to consider radon in their homes.
Health & Safety Executive

28. Radon in the UK Workplace
Conclusion
ALARA is not relevant ?
Why ?
Optimisation below regulatory standards is not a factor (in above ground workplaces)
Health & Safety Executive