The Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2001

Off-site emergency plan

9.—(1) The local authority in whose area there is situated premises at which there is carried out work with ionising radiation to which these Regulations apply and in respect of which an assessment made by the operator pursuant to regulation 4(1) or regulation 5 shows that it is reasonably foreseeable that a radiation emergency might arise (having regard to the steps taken by the operator under regulation 4(2)) shall prepare an adequate emergency plan (in these Regulations referred to as an “off-site emergency plan”) designed to secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the restriction of exposure to ionising radiation and the health and safety of persons who may be affected by such reasonably foreseeable emergencies as are identified in that assessment and the plan shall be prepared in respect of such area as in the opinion of the Executive any member of the public is likely to be affected by such radiation emergencies.

(2) Without prejudice to paragraph (1), the off-site emergency plan shall contain the information specified in Part III of Schedule 7.

(3) The off-site emergency plan prepared pursuant to paragraph (1) shall address each reasonably foreseeable radiation emergency that has been identified by the operator for the purposes of regulation 7(1).

(4) Where an assessment has been made pursuant to regulation 4(1), within 28 days of sending the report of the assessment to the Executive in accordance with regulation 6(1), the operator shall supply to the local authority such information as is necessary for the purpose of enabling the authority to prepare the off-site emergency plan required by paragraph (1).

(5) Without prejudice to paragraph (4), the operator shall further supply to the local authority—

(a) any additional information the local authority may reasonably request to enable the off-site emergency plan to be prepared; and

(b) details of any material change to the information provided under paragraph (4) resulting from—

(i) a further assessment made pursuant to regulation 5(1) or (2); or

(ii) a revision of the operator’s emergency plan pursuant to regulation 10(1).

(6) The information provided to a local authority pursuant to paragraphs (4) or (5)(a) shall be reviewed and where necessary revised by the operator at suitable intervals not exceeding 3 years from the date at which information was last supplied to the local authority under those paragraphs and the operator shall within 28 days inform the local authority of the outcome of that review.

(7) The operator shall, within 28 days of any further assessment or revision referred to in paragraph (5)(b) inform the local authority of any material change to the information supplied arising from that assessment or review.

(8) Subject to paragraph (9), the off-site emergency plan shall be prepared no later than 6 months (or such longer period as the Executive may agree in writing) after whichever is the later of—

(a) the receipt by the local authority of a notice from the Executive informing the local authority of the need to prepare an off-site emergency plan in respect of the area; or

(b) the receipt by the local authority of the information referred to in paragraph (4).

(9) The off-site emergency plan shall be prepared before the operator carries out work with ionising radiation to which the assessment made in accordance with regulation 4(1) applies.

(10) The off-site emergency plan shall be drawn up having regard to the principles set out in Part I of Schedule 8.

(11) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), the off-site emergency plan shall secure, where appropriate, intervention for the purposes set out in Part II of Schedule 8.

(12) For the purpose of preparing an off-site emergency plan pursuant to paragraph (1) or of reviewing the plan pursuant to regulation 10(1), the local authority shall consult—

(a) the operator carrying out the work with ionising radiation to which the plan relates, the Executive, the emergency services, each health authority in the vicinity of the premises of the operator and the Agency; and

(b) such other persons, bodies and authorities and members of the public as the local authority considers appropriate.

(13) Once it has prepared the off-site emergency plan the local authority shall confirm in writing to the operator that it has done so.

(14) The employer of any employee who may be required to participate in the implementation of an off-site emergency plan shall ensure that such employees of his are or have been provided with—

(a) suitable and sufficient information, instruction and training; and

(b) the equipment necessary to restrict that employee’s exposure to ionising radiation including, where appropriate, the issue of suitable dosemeters or other devices.

(15) The local authority shall provide to the Executive upon request and within such reasonable time as may be specified a copy of the off-site emergency plan or such parts of that plan as the Executive may require.