XN000022-1985-01-23 — Page 26

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985

24

CONTROLS ON RADIOACTIVE ELEMENTS ADEQUATE

*****

EXISTING EXTENSIVE CONTROLS ON THE HANDLING AND TRANSPORTATION OF RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES ARE EFFECTIVE IN THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

AS FOR CONTINGENCY PLANS TO DEAL WITH LEAKS OF RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES AND CONTAMINATION, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE FIRE SERVICES AND POLICE, WITH TECHNICAL SUPPORT FROM OTHER DEPARTMENTS, WOULD RESPOND TO ANY DANGEROUS OR POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS INCIDENT.

FURTHERMORE, SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR TACKLING INCIDENTS INVOLVING RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES HAD BEEN ISSUED AND DECONTAMINATION FACILITIES WERE AVAILABLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARBOUR, HE SAID.

MR CHAMBERS WAS REPLYING TO QUESTIONS FROM THE HON ANDREW SO ON THE SUBJECT.

HE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT CONTROLS ON THE HANDLING AND TRANSPORTATION OF RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES WERE SET OUT IN THE RADIATION ORDINANCE.

+THESE CONTROLS ARE EXERCISED THROUGH THE RADIATION BOARD, WHICH GRANTS LICENCES, SUBJECT TO SUCH CONDITIONS AS IT THINKS FIT, FOR THE MANUFACTURE, SALE, POSSESSION OR USE OF ANY RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCE.

+ THE BOARD HAS MADE REGULATIONS UNDER THE ORDINANCE TO DEAL WITH VARIOUS SAFETY ASPECTS, INCLUDING THE PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN BY LICENSEES WHEN MOVING ANY RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCE WITHIN THE TERRITORY, HE SAID.

HE EXPLAINED THAT SUCH SUBSTANCES MAY ONLY BE TRANSPORTED AFTER THE ISSUE OF A WRITTEN PERMIT BY EITHER THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES OR THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR DEPENDING ON WHETHER THE SUBSTANCE WAS TO BE USED FOR MEDICAL OR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.

TECHNICAL ADVICE ON PARTICULAR OPERATIONS COULD BE GIVEN BY STAFF OF THE RADIATION HEALTH UNIT AND THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH UNIT OF THE RESPECTIVE DEPARTMENTS IF NECESSARY, HE SAID.