How is radiation safety regulated in Western Australia?

Co-regulation with Radiological Council

Radiation safety on mining operations is co-regulated with the Radiological Council.

The Radiological Council and the department may need to consider and approve a project if:

• it is dealing with radioactive substances (e.g. ore, product, waste) that contain uranium or thorium

or

• workers are likely to receive doses of radiation in excess of an effective dose of 1 milliSieverts (0.001 Sv) per year arising from mining or exploration activities

or

• there is the potential to deliver radiation exposures to the public dose that exceed dose constraints.

Mines safety legislation

The regulation of radiation safety in Western Australian mines is based on national standards, and is addressed under Part 16 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995.

Part 16 of the regulations covers:

• mining and processing of radioactive material
• use and storage of radiation sources and irradiating apparatus at mines
• radiation safety for workers
• requirements to protect the public
• radioactive waste management.

Radiation safety legislation

Responsibility for the Radiation Safety Act 1975 lies with the Radiological Council, the independent statutory authority appointed under section 13 of the Act. The Council advises and is responsible to the Minister for Health.

Initial requirements

When there is the potential to encounter radioactive minerals, the initial requirements are to:

• prepare a radiation management plan
• appoint a radiation safety officer.

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) develops codes and safety guides that are adopted by States and Territories into their own regulations.

One of the main codes relating to the mining industry is the Code of Practice and Safety Guide for Radiation Protection and Radioactive Waste Management in Mining and Mineral Processing (RPS 9). This code establishes requirements for radiation protection in mining and mineral processing industries, and for the protection of human health and the environment from the effects of radioactive waste from mining and mineral processing.

• RPS F-1 Fundamentals for protection against ionising radiation
• RPS 2.1 Safety guide for the safe transport of radioactive material
• RPS 2.2 Safety guide for approval processes for the safe transport of radioactive materials
• RPS 6 National directory for radiation protection
• RPS 9 Code of practice and safety guide for radiation protection and radioactive waste management in mining and mineral processing
• RPS 9.1 Safety guide for monitoring, assessing and recording occupational radiation doses in mining and mineral processing

The transport of radioactive materials must comply with the Radiation Safety (Transport of Radioactive Substances) Regulations 2002. These regulations follow ARPANSA’s Code of Practice for Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (RPS 2).

The Radiation Safety Act 1975 and accompanying regulations specify maximum exposure limits for non-ionising emissions from radiofrequency radiation, ultraviolet radiation, and electromagnetic fields from power lines and electronic equipment.