Rank: New forum user 
|
A local school science dept currently disposes of its low level radiation waste pellets (small quantities) by encasing in a cement cube and disposing as general waste. I would have thought that although encased this waste should still be disposed of as hazardous waste as there still needs to be an audit trail on where this stuff goes ? Any advice
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
Hi Aidy
Suggest they have a look at the Ionising Radiations Regs, acop L121.
Highly controlled processes required!
Surely they should have a Radiation Protection Advisor in the Council to advise them?
Definitely not general waste!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
I would advise the school that unless they appoint an RPA and RPS [for some reason school areas call RPS's RPO's!] on an asap basis that you will report them to the HSE on an ASAP basis
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: New forum user
|
Highlighted my concerns on the day and has been niggling me since, just needed that bit of confirmation before I go back in this afternoon to make sure the point is clear. Just concerns me of how many "cubes" are floating around the district, having been disposed of in the general waste stream, cant be many but equally concerning
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
Aidy Certain low activity substances are exempt from the requirements of the Environmental permitting regulations (eg old rare earth exemptions under the old Rad Subs Act.) Certain low level radioactive waste can be disposed of as general waste which goes to landfill. The latest guidance on managing radioactive materials in schools and colleges advise the route you describe ie "Before disposal into the dustbin, immobilise the source in a stiff mix of cement mortar" See http://www.cleapss.org.uk/download/L93.pdf
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
aidy
Before making any 'waves' at the school, try to find out first what advice CLEAPSS gives about radioactive substances used in school science. In my experience it's an excellent organisation which provides practical health & safety advice and training for schools and 6th form colleges, etc., regarding science and also design & technology. The school involved might be a member of CLEAPSS either through a local education authority (LEA) if it's LEA controlled or directly if it's an independent academy or similar.
Another point: does the school actually need to dispose of the substances? Why not continue to keep them securely stored in a suitable locked and labelled cupboard? Such a facility should be available if the department has any other sources which may or may not be in regular use depending on whether the department currently has any teachers who are trained and competent to use them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
Pikeman wrote:What is "CLEAPSS" http://www.cleapss.org.uk/its a school science organisation.... it does suggest as much in the thread and it is a name, not an 'acronym or jargon': [Our name was changed to] CLEAPSS (Consortium of Local Education Authorities for the Provision of Science Services) to reflect a change of emphasis from equipment to a range of services. Since then, Local Education Authorities became Local Authorities and our services expanded to include D&T, so CLEAPSS was registered as a Trade Mark. CLEAPSS is now simply a name and not an acronym.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: New forum user
|
Looked at the CLEAPPS document, (learn something new every day),and to be honest quite surprised given the fact that it can be taken away crushed and possibly used as a recycled material somewhere. I assume we are talking the lowest of the low on the "buzzing" scale though. I have said that there still needs to be an audit trail, which they accept. Thanks for the info much appreciated
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Granlund40055 is correct however the problem is defining and proving just what low level waste consists of is the problem especially as I know for certain that many schools do not have RPS's nor especially RPA's on board nor do they have proper access to environmental advice or even H&S advice in many many cases
it staggers me to know that our countries most valuable resource e.g. our children are treated this way and as for Ofsted; well enough said
my thoughts are that there should be a proper audit trail in every case and only naturally found sources should be treated as normal waste
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
Within the University Sector and other sectors such as Hospitals all active waste, must be justified and audited, including the type of waste referred to in this discussion. I believe the requirement to justify and audit would also extend to schools
Reference was made to recycling, I do not have the latest regs to hand, but, if I remember correctly, all waste which follows the encapsulation route must go to landfill. This route should be audited.
Does the school in question know the route their waste takes?
As Bob says many schools for whatever reason will not have RPS or RPA in place.
However I am aware of many of my ex RPA colleagues who would offer pro bono advice to schools in the past.
Please do not ask me for names
A comment was made about the low buzz, remember many isotopes such as C14 will not buzz at low activities. But will be sufficiently active that the landfill route can not be used
John
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
A few misconceptions in the posts above but post 5 pretty much hits the nail on the head.
The IRRs say almost nothing about radioactive waste. Consequently, it is outside the scope of a Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) and Radiation Protection Superviser (RPS) advice. What is needed is a Radioactive Waste Adviser (RWA) since this is an Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) issue. Currently, many RWAs are RPAs but many are not and vice versa. Don't assume that an RPA has the necessary knowledge to advise on radioactive waste disposal.
I'm sure that CLEAPSS has obtained the correct advice and passed this onto the schools? Certainly the posts above indicate this to be the case (immobilising the waste in concrete/mortar).
Without knowing the isotopes involved and the respective quantities it's impossible to make any sensible comments but I would like to think that schools and colleges do not use radioactive substances with significant activity in the course of their teaching.
Kevin
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Kdrew is correct re RPA's etc.
There are two areas to manage e.g. H&S areas and Environmental areas so both must be covered yet in many if not all cases the RPA etc. does not advise on disposal!! so an adviser for both areas is needed
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.