HSRA Works to Mitigate Potential Risks Associated with Hazardous Materials

Governed by the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act of 2015 and Regulations of 2019, the Hazardous Substances Regulatory Authority (HSRA) diligently executes its roles and functions to mitigate potential risks associated with hazardous materials.

The Act applies to the possession, acquisition, production, manufacturing, processing, transferring, development, handling, storage, importing, exporting or disposal of natural and artificial radioactive materials, nuclear materials, ionising radiation apparatus and devices emitting ionising radiation.

It also applies to the construction of facilities that will utilise ionising radiation sources in their operations.

As outlined by the Act, the HSRA has a mandate “to protect people, property and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation, whilst facilitating the beneficial use of nuclear technology”, said Senior Director of the Authority’s Radiation and Safety department, Tracey-Ann Elliott.

During her address at a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’, she outlined the overarching functions of the Authority, one of which “has to do with the monitoring and regulating of practices, facilities and activities that utilise ionising radiation”.

The Authority, through qualified experts, conducts frequent assessments of facilities to ensure that they comply with the regulatory requirements.

Upon completion of the assessment, the Authority will either grant, renew, suspend, or revoke a certificate of authorisation for facilities, activities and practices utilising technology that emits ionising radiation.

Additionally, she told JIS News that it also advises the Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC), Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, as it relates to “the development of national policies to maintain regulatory control over these practices and activities”.

Furthermore, the Authority enforces actions against facilities that do not comply with established legislation.

“If we learn that there is exposure to radiation that is outside of the prescribed limit, we issue a prompt request for an inspection to be conducted. Once the inspection is done, the necessary reports are prepared and any other enforcement actions that are required as a result of the outcome will be issued,” Mrs. Elliott explained.

She also pointed out that in addition to its core responsibilities, “The HSRA serves other functions, including the maintenance of a national registry that comprises a list of ionising radiation [sources], equipment, radioactive materials and nuclear materials.”

There is also a registry for authorised users in Jamaica that can be found on the MIIC website at https://www.miic.gov.jm/content/hazardous-substances-regulatory-authority-hsra.

The Senior Director mentioned, too, that the Authority works closely with national and international bodies to verify the nuclear materials that are in the country.