With the publication of the new Radiological Protection Act 1991 (Ionising Radiation) Regulations SI 30/2019 for Ireland, new provisions for radiation protection legislation have been released, which require all employers in high radon areas in Ireland to test their workplace for Radon, the naturally-occurring radioactive gas.
Where the levels are above the national reference level of 300 Becquerel per metre cubed, the employers are then required to take action to reduce these levels. At the National Radon Forum (which took place on 8 May 2019), attendees heard from both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) about the requirements of this new legislation.
The EPA Director General, Laura Burke, has said: "In Ireland, up to 300 cases of lung cancer each year are linked to Radon, which is a serious public health hazard. Employers now have responsibility to ensure that their employees are protected from exposure to this radioactive gas. Radon testing in workplaces is simple and inexpensive and, where necessary, reducing high radon levels in a building is also straightforward. The EPA and the HSA are working in partnership to support employers in implementing this legislation."
The Assistant Chief Executive from the HSA, Yvonne Mullooly has positively welcomed the new legislation, mentioning that, "In addition to the existing general duties on employers to address radioactive hazards, this new legislation provides employers with clear testing requirements for radon gas in their workplaces. The Authority looks forward to continued collaboration with the EPA in highlighting radon gas exposure in workplaces and supporting the ongoing work of the National Radon Control Strategy Co-ordination Group. Our inspectors will continue to raise awareness during their inspections of the potential for radon gas exposures and the need for appropriate risk assessments."
The HSA will continue to support employers by providing information, and by updating the online risk assessment tool BeSMART (which includes Radon as a hazard).
Are you wondering why we're discussing legislation in the Republic of Ireland? Watch this space...
