1. 14th Irish National Radon Forum
EU Basic Safety Standards Directive
Impact of new Regulations
David Fenton
19th October 2017

2. Context
Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom was adopted on 6th February 2014 to be implemented by 6th February 2018 in Member States.
It consolidates five previous Directives on radiation protection (including the 1996 BSS Directive) and Commission recommendation on radon from 1990.

3. General Approach to transposition
Dept. of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, is the lead Department for transposition of the BSS
The Dept. of Health (HSE) also had role (i.e. medical exposures)
Input was also required from Dept. of Housing, Planning and Local Government
State Agencies involved: the EPA, Health & Safety Authority and Health Services Executive

4. General Approach to transposition
The IRRS Mission took place in
September 2015
IRRS action plan was taken into accounting when drafting the regulations

5. Key changes proposed in the new Regulations
A reduction in the Reference Level for workplaces
Clearer requirements on carrying out radon measurements and on when to remediate
Stronger regulations governing underground workplaces and other workplaces where remediation cannot be achieved
Statutory requirement for a National Radon Control Strategy

6. Reference Levels and Measurement
Reference Level (SI No 125 of 2000) is being reduced
400 Bq/m3
New Reference Level Bq/m3
The radon measurements must
be made by a registered radon measurement service. (Registered means registered with the EPA)
be carried out in accordance with EPA measurement protocol, i.e. three month test will still be needed.

7. Who must measure
The Order proposes a general duty on employers to measure radon
This applies to
underground workplaces (<10)
aboveground workplaces in High Radon Areas (based upon the EPA’s radon map)

8. What if radon levels are greater than 300 Bq/m3 in a workplace?
A requirement to reduce the radon levels within 6 months is proposed.
This will normally require remedial work
Post remediation measurements are then required
To determine if remediation is successful
To identify those areas where radon levels cannot be reduced

9. What if radon levels in a workplace cannot be reduced to below 300 Bq/m3 ?
This applies to mines and show-caves where radon risk has to be managed
Such workplaces will be subject to inspection
Requirement for workers to be monitored
If doses > 6mSv further requirements will apply similar to artificial sources

10. Aboveground workplaces Unlikely this will need to be applied.
What if radon levels in a workplace cannot be reduced to below 300 Bq/m3 ?
Aboveground workplaces
Unlikely this will need to be applied.
I’m unaware of any above ground workplace that could not be remediated
Relatively few workplaces have measured

11. National Radon Control Strategy
BSS requires to develop an Action Plan to include dwellings
This requirement is met by the NRCS now in year 4 of operation
The regulations calls for the NRCS to be reviewed and updated at regular intervals

12. Summary - optimism and reality
The new regulations are a definite improvement on SI No 125 of 2000
The new regulations and NRCS means we are now in a much better place
Getting employers to test is very challenging and we are starting from a low base

13. Public Consultation now open
Consultation is now open on the new regulations.
Visit DCCAE website
Comments to by 24th October 2017