At the IPEM RPA update in July the HSE provided an update and Q & A session. The HSE representative outlined a number of interventions made over the previous year. Some of the points raised provided discussion among all the RPAs in attendance. Some of the points raised include:
- contingency plans should be rehearsed, clear and available. For low dose reasonably foreseeable accidents desktop rehearsals have been deemed acceptable by the HSE.
- RPC meetings should be effective. Actions should be logged. There should be evidence actions have been completed, with buy in from higher level management.
- There is an expectation that environmental monitoring will be carried out on an annual basis
This last point caused quite a stir among the gathering of RPA’s at IRS and beyond. However, given it is an expectation from the HSE, IRS are recommending that all sites carry out environmental monitoring on an annual basis. Please contact your RPA for further advice on how to comply with this requirement.
