regional meeting for mid-term review and endorsement of ...gnssn.iaea.org/rtws/general/shared...
Post on 06-Feb-2018
214 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
RAF 9046
Regional Meeting for Mid-term Review and Endorsement of the Regional Action Plan
MEETING REPORT
Bagatelle, MAURITIUS21 - 25 JULY 2014
Attendees
Representatives of the IAEA:
Ms. D. Caratas - Project Management OfficerMs. N. Capadona - Technical Officer/ Transport Specialist
Counterparts/representatives of Member States:
Mr. K. Funsu - Representative from AngolaMr. F. Misago - Representative from BurundiMr. O. Kabore - Representative of Burkina FasoMr. B. Tladi - Representative of BotswanaMs. J. Chakam Tagheu - Project Counterpart for CameroonMr. T. Regassa - Project Counterpart for EthiopiaMr. R. Awudu - Project Counterpart for GhanaMr. A. Bridji - Project Counterpart for Cote d'IvoireMr. J. Opar - Project Counterpart for KenyaMr. J. Zafimanjato - Project Counterpart for MadagascarMr. K. Nilplatana - Project Counterpart for MauritiusMr. B. Sidibe - Project Counterpart for MaliMr. C. Gamulani - Project Counterpart for MalawiMr. P. Ngalangi - Project Counterpart for NamibiaMr. A. Boureima II - Project Counterpart for NigerMr. H. Midala - Project Counterpart for NigeriaMr. E. Mohajane - Project Counterpart for South AfricaMr. A. Niane - Representative from SenegalMr. K. Aglae - Project Counterpart for SeychellesMr. B. Eltayeb - Project Counterpart for SudanMs. N. Sboui - Representative from TunisiaMr. M. Katumba - Project Counterpart for UgandaMr. W. Muhogora - Project Counterpart for United Rep. of TanzaniaMr. C. Mulenga - Representative from ZambiaMs. V. Mutanga - Project Counterpart for Zimbabwe
Local participants:
Mr. S. Rambrichh - Divisional Head Airworthiness at the Department of Civil Aviation, Mauritius
Mr. B.K. Rughooputh - Manager Port Environment at the Mauritius Ports Authority
Mr. S. Rajab - Customs Officer at the Mauritius Revenue Authority, Customs Department
225 July 2014
Introduction
The regional meeting for Mid-term Review and Endorsement of the Regional
Action Plan under the IAEA project RAF 9046 was held in Bagatelle, Mauritius
from 21 – 25 July 2014. The meeting is the 2nd coordination meeting for the IAEA
TC project RAF9046, “Strengthening Compliance Assurance for the Safe
Transport of Radioactive Material”.
The purpose of the meeting is to review the project plan, the countries status and
to endorse the draft regional action plan prepared by the IAEA for the African
Member States based on the self-assessment reports provided following the first
coordination meeting. Also under the scope of the meeting is the identification of
needs for sub-regional networking and establishment of conditions to join the
project by member states that have not presented their SARIS report.
The meeting provided an overview of the RASIMS information system as it
applies to transport of radioactive material and all Member States were advised
to update the required information on the RASIMS webpage.
The invitation to participate in this meeting was sent to all African Member
States (MS). It was attended by 25 participants from the following Member
States: Angola, Burundi, Burkina Faso, Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana,
Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mali, Malawi, Namibia, Niger,
Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal, Seychelles, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania,
Zambia and Zimbabwe. Benin, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Libya,
Morocco and Sierra Leone participants announced a last minute withdrawal.
Local participants representing the relevant institutions involved in transport
safety at national level were following the meeting.
Opening Ceremony
Mr F.A. Ollite, the Chief Radiation Protection Officer of the Radiation Protection
Authority in Mauritius, gave the welcome address.
325 July 2014
Two main opening speeches were given by Ms D. Caratas the Project
Management Officer (PMO) from the IAEA and Dr. A.Y. Maudarbocus, Chairman
of the Radiation Protection Council in Mauritius.
The Chairman welcomed all the participants and pointed out that it was an
honour for Mauritius to be given the opportunity to host this meeting. He also
expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the IAEA and contribution of the
Member States in ensuring safety in transport activities involving radioactive
materials, given the large volume of radioactive consignments being transported
yearly and the low record of accidents during these activities.
The PMO welcomed all Member States representatives attending the meeting,
emphasizing on the efforts made within the countries for significant progress. It
was outlined that this major outcome was possible only through Member States
commitment and ownership of the project. The meeting participants,
counterparts of the Project RAF9046 'Strengthening Effective Compliance
Assurance for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material' on transport safety
were commended for the efforts made within the country team, contributing to
the strengthening of the radiation safety infrastructure at the national level. The
Project Team acknowledged the presence of many national counterparts being
also present at the first coordination meeting of the regional project RAF9046 in
Harare, Zimbabwe, July 2012, outlining and commending the continuity ensured
for a comprehensive implementation of the project mid-term objectives and the
countries commitment. It is recommended that this positive work will be
continuously and sustainably carried out for tangible results and further
progress.
The PMO thanked the Government of Mauritius for the excellent arrangements
made for the meeting, highlighting on the good cooperation at national level
within the relevant institutions involved in the transport safety.
The meeting then proceeded with the introduction of the participants and the
appointment of the Chairpersons and Rapporteurs for the five-day meeting.
The meeting consisted of six technical sessions.
425 July 2014
Technical Session 1-2: Country Status Reports
The first two technical sessions took place over the first two days of the meeting
and consisted of power point presentations by each participant for their
respective countries. A standard template was provided for this purpose to the
participants prior to meeting such that the presentations would all be focused on
the 12 elements set out in the Safety Standard TS-G-1.5. Addressing the
questions relating to these 12 elements helped to identify the areas in need of
further improvement for each country, and the region as a whole.
Technical Session 3: Project process and support
The PMO, Ms Daniela Caratas commented on the support available from the IAEA
through the project. One essential tool available to Member States for developing
their regulatory infrastructure for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material is
the SARIS software. The Self-Assessment report should give the best picture of
the country status and help to clearly identify strengths and weaknesses. Since
finance is usually the main constraint in most Member States, addressing gaps
and weaknesses should be prioritised. She encouraged Member States to develop
a national training plan with proper and regular budgeting at the national and
regional level. Also a good coordination is essential within the regulatory
authorities, encompassing all thematic safety areas since they are all cross-
linked. The PMO also announced the existing possibility of addressing topics
related to emergency in coordination with the regional project RAF 9052
“Strengthening and Harmonizing National Capabilities for Response to Radiation
Emergencies”. It has been shared that a group fellowship on Emergency
Preparedness and Response for an event involving an orphan source is
envisaged.
The expected outcome of the meeting would be to enable the participating
countries to develop and strengthen a comprehensive transport regulatory
framework and an effective networking which should have a major impact on
this trans-boundary topic, the transport of radioactive material (RAM).
Harmonizing the regulatory frameworks and requirements for safety during the
525 July 2014
transport of RAM should facilitate compliance and decrease instances of denials
and delays of shipments.
It was emphasized by the PMO the duty of all project counterparts and their
national teams to ensure long term sustainability and continuity of the action
plans initiated within this meeting. It was strongly encouraged a full
coordination with the existing national action plans of the Member States for
developing and strengthening the Radiation Safety infrastructure for transport
as part of Member States capabilities to address radiation safety in a
comprehensive way.
The presentation by the Technical Officer (TO), Ms Nancy Capadona gave an
overview of the TSA-7 concept, its 12 elements and the RASIMS information
system. The participants were provided with a list of documents and guidance
material published by the Agency which should guide them in developing further
regulatory framework for transport of radioactive material. The support
documents available are listed below:
Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (SSR-6)
Advisory Material for the IAEA Regulations for the Safe Transport of
Radioactive Material (TS-G-1.1)
Planning and Preparing for Emergency Response to Transport Accidents
involving Radioactive Material (TS-G-1.2)
Radiation Protection Programmes for the Transport of Radioactive
Material (TS-G-1.3)
The Management System for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material
(TS-G-1.4)
Compliance Assurance for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (TS-
G-1.5)
Schedules of Provisions of the IAEA Regulations for the Safe Transport of
Radioactive Material (TS-G-1.6)
The Technical Officer introduced the concept of TSA 7, the newest Thematic
Safety Area incorporated into RASIMS as the basis for implementation of the
requirements contained in the IAEA Safety Fundamentals GS-R-1 Part 3, Basic
625 July 2014
Safety Standards and the series of Safety Standards related to transport. The
country profile template was presented to help Member States to better
understand the IAEA expectations with regards to the country’s profile in
RASIMS. It has been agreed that every Member State’s TSA 7 responsible
counterpart will liaise with the national RASIMS coordinator to ensure upload of
the last updated information.
Technical session 4: Working groups RASIMS review
For the RASIMS review, four working groups were constituted. Each group
consisted of at least one country which presented considerable work on
updating of RASIMS for TSA 7. The working groups were constituted as below:
1. Nigeria, Kenya, Sudan, Uganda, Ghana, Ethiopia
2. Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe
3. Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Niger, Mali, Senegal, Tunisia, Angola
4. Cameroon, Madagascar, Seychelles, Mauritius, Burundi
The groups were requested to go through the question sets for RASIMS on TSA7
to identify misunderstandings and difficulties which may arise when providing
the required information on RASIMS platform. At the end of the exercise the
groups concluded that the following areas required further clarification:
Legal and Regulatory Framework
Whether stakeholders of the regulatory bodies which are involved to
some extent with the monitoring and regulation of the transport of
dangerous goods should be listed as competent authorities
Description of how review/revision of regulations on transport of RAM is
done and who does it
Design Assessment
Clarification on type of transport operations
Explanation on transitional arrangements and where they apply
725 July 2014
Examination of Maintenance and Servicing Arrangements
how do users inform the Competent Authority (CA) about all safety
deviations significant changes on packages and if the procedures for
reporting are known
Emergency Response and Planning Operations
what are the requirements and implications for holding an emergency
exercise
Transport Radiation Protection Programmes
More information is required on content of the Radiation Protection
Programme
What should be the major elements of a Radiation Protection Programme
for Transport organizations
Management systems for transport
Clarification on Management systems for both the regulatory body and
transport organizations
Remarks
Most of the African MS do not have specific regulations on transport of
RAM and should coordinate their efforts in developing them.
Countries should develop a networking and database of contacts within
the region to ease communication and facilitate the transport of
radioactive material. Existing draft Memorandum of Understanding
between different Member States in the region should be extended and
considered through the regional cooperation.
Competent Authority should develop Memorandum of Understanding
with stakeholders
Timeline for completion of RASIMS
825 July 2014
Counterparts pledged to complete/review RASIMS on TSA 7 on the following
timelines.
Angola Burkina Faso
Botswana Cameroon Ethiopia Ghana Cote d’Ivoire
1 month 1 month 1 month 2 weeks 2 weeks 2 weeks 1 month
Kenya Madagascar Mauritius Mali Malawi Namibia Niger Nigeria2 weeks
1 month 1 month 1 month
1 month
2 weeks 1 month 2 weeks
South Africa
Senegal
Seychelles
Sudan Tunisia
Uganda
Tanzania
Zambia
Zimbabwe
1 month
2 weeks
2 months 2 weeks
1 month
2 weeks
3 weeks 1 month
3 weeks
Technical session 5: Discussion and Endorsement of the Regional Action Plan
Confirmation of the TSA 7 project counterparts was requested if not yet done.
The participants were encouraged to review the Self-Assessment reports,
considering the present better understanding of the requirements for safety in
transport activities involving RAM provided within the meeting.
The Member States were encouraged to consider nomination of country’s
representative for Transport Safety Standards Committee (TRANSSC). The
Member State can opt on full, alternate or corresponding membership.
All the costs for attending the meetings shall be covered by the Member State
and it is to be noted that attending the meetings are not mandatory.
The PMO emphasized the existing possible technical assistance support to be
provided by IAEA through Technical Meetings, TC Projects and different other
cooperation agreements. It is to be noted that invitation as well as the
implementation procedures are different and they have to be closely and
carefully followed, for the country’s best benefit.
925 July 2014
Regional Action Plan
In Annex 1 the Draft regional action plan prposed by the group of experts
reviewing all Peer review mission reports is provided for ease of reference.
Within the meeting has been agreed the following regional Action Plan.
1. Development of regulatory framework
1.1 Countries are responsible for drafting their own regulations applying a
graded approach commensurate with the transport activities in the country.
Communication within the set network is strongly encouraged. If needed, a
group of experts will be called to review country specific regulations on
transport.
1.2 Emergency in transport is to be included in the national Emergency
Preparedness and Response. Counterparts are urged to coordinate and liaise
with fellow counterparts for the IAEA regional project on Emergency
Preparedness and Response RAF9052.
1.3 The establishment of a Management system, including RAM register will be
addressed through the Regional Training Course
1.4 Development of an inspection programme, as well as the guidance material to
perform inspection and enforcement will be addressed through specific training.
Group fellowship is envisaged to address this common regional need.
2. Coordinated training and education support
2.1Following elements will be addressed within the Regional Training Course
-Regulatory framework overview
-How to transport NORM
-Package assessment and certification/validation
-Denials and delays
-Management Systems
-Security in transport
1025 July 2014
2.2 The transport of fissile materials is concerning only few countries possessing
Research Reactors and Nuclear Power Plants. Therefore, the technical assistance
support can be provided through specific projects existing within the
regional/national programme
2.3 South Africa was proposed as hosting country for the agreed regional
training course. The 3rd week of November 2014 is envisaged. South Africa
representative will come back with confirmation of the proposed date. It is also
expected that other member states will come back to the project team in 1 week
time with proposal for alternative hosting country.
3. Development and operation of networks of excellence
Public awareness and communication
It has been emphasized that the transport safety requirements should be
included in the national plan for raising awareness on the safety concepts related
to transport of radioactive material to control possible hazards associated. It
should be the country’s responsibility to develop and implement awareness and
communication actions at all levels. Specific communication is to be delivered to
different group targets, public, stakeholders and users.
IAEA project team provided each participant with a video on Safe transport of
radioactive material around the world produced by the IAEA Transport Safety
Unit, to be used in the further communication actions within the country.
Setting up of a Steering Committee for African Member States for the Safe Transport of RAM
Following the expert’s advice to develop an operational network the PMO
informed the meeting of an existing IAEA platform via the Global Nuclear Safety
and Security Network (GNSSN) that can be used for further networking and
communication. The representatives of the Member States agreed to set up a TSA
7 network and committee for mutual support among the African countries,
starting from the meeting participants.
Four members of the coordination committee were agreed.
1125 July 2014
1. Ms.P. J. Chakam Tagheu - Cameroon
2. Ms. V. Mutanga - Zimbabwe
3. Mr. O. Kabore - Burkina Faso
4. Mr. R. Awudu – Ghana
Presentation by the Representative of the Civil Aviation Department,
Mauritius
A valuable intervention has been provided by one of the local participants, Mr S.
Rambrichh, an Aeronautical Engineer with 25 years of working experience in the
Aviation Industry in Mauritius. A clear view of the need in coordinating at
national level all the relevant stakeholders intervening in transport was detailed.
It is emphasized that national regulatory authorities should address the
requirements of transport safety within full coordination with the existing
relevant institutions in the country working in this field.
Mr. Rambrichh informed that aviation has been a highly regulated activity
worldwide since the early days. Following the creation of the IAEA in 1956, all
requirements developed for the transport of Radioactive Materials, are taken up
by the Dangerous Goods Panel of the Air Navigation Commission ICAO for review
and recommendation for adoption by the ICAO council. Further to various
incidents and accident involving dangerous Goods, the ICAO council adopted the
recommendations of the IAEA and published Annex 18 on the transport of
Dangerous Goods by Air, but modified the original requirements to
accommodate unique aspects of air transport.
ICAO has already assessed and reviewed the these requirements of SSR-6 and as
such has these requirements have fully been taken care of in the ICAO Dangerous
Manual and the Technical Instruction Manual, which were in turn taken up by
the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for implementation by the
various airlines.
In this respect ICAO categorised the requirements as 8 critical elements:
Primary legislation
1225 July 2014
Specific operating regulations
State system and safety oversight functions
Technical personnel qualification and training
Technical guidance, tools and the provision of safety-critical information
Licensing, certification, authorization and approval obligations
Surveillance obligations
Resolution of safety concerns
He also pointed out that in order to enable the Regulatory Body to fully discharge
its obligations and responsibilities towards the IAEA, there is need to develop
Quality Policy Manuals and Enforcement Manuals, among others.
To enable the Regulatory Body to ensure an efficient delivery of its inspection /
approval or licensing services, there is need to develop an inspector manual
which should detail the pre requisite for recruitment, duties and responsibilities,
basic training requirements, specialist training, on the job training.
Mr. Rambrichh thanked the IAEA representatives for having given him the
opportunity to share his experience with the participants of the meeting with a
view that it may assist in the understanding of the challenges being put before
them and in the development of the agreed action plan.
Recommendations
Recommendations to Member States
1. To request Governments for continued support of the project activities
with the view of ensuring self-sustainability beyond the life cycle of the
project.
2. To initiate and develop at national level the coordination with the
relevant institutions involved in transport safety.
3. To periodically review the Self-Assessment exercise, envisaging also the
use of the SARIS as a training tool.
4. To ensure periodical update of the RASIMS country profile on TSA 7.
1325 July 2014
5. Member States are encouraged to address national needs for training in a
comprehensive approach in full coordination with all the other TSA’s,
making use of all existing resources including national budget and
technical expertise available.
6. Member States are encouraged to consider nomination of a
representative to TRANSSC committee, as an excellent possibility for
experience exchange worldwide.
Recommendations to the IAEA
Participating Member States request the IAEA to continue providing technical
assistance within the project, ensuring continuity for maintaining the good
progress reached to-date within the significant efforts made by the project team,
counterparts and IAEA team.
Conclusion
On the basis of this report, it is the participants’ view that the objectives of the
regional meeting for Mid-term Review and Endorsement of the Regional Action
Plan have been achieved.
ANNEX I
RAF 9046: draft Regional Action PlanPrepared on 28th March 2014
Assistance(What help is
given)
Topics(Where help is needed)
ReceiverProvider
DateAfrican External
1.Development of regulatory
1. Establish competent authority for transport of RAM (via workshop)
Botswana, Cote d’Ivoire, Malawi,
Namibia
- 2014 Q2
1425 July 2014
framework
2. Establish/complete transport regulations in line with SSR-6 (via workshop)
All except Nigeria, South Africa,
Tanzania- 2014 Q3
3. Establish/complete emergency planning and exercises (via workshop)
All except Nigeria, South Africa - 2014 Q4
4. Establish a management system, including a RAM register (via workshop)
All except Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan,
Tanzania, Zambia- 2015 Q1
5. Establish/complete inspection programme (via workshop)
All except Botswana, Morocco, Namibia,
Niger, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan,
Tanzania, Zambia
- 2015 Q2
6. Establish/complete guidance material (via workshop)
All except Ethiopia, South Africa, Zambia - 2015 Q3
2.Coordinated training and education support (including stakeholders)
1. Regulatory framework overview, for all RAM except NORM and fissile (current IAEA training course, plus scientific visit)
All countries -
Belgium, Canada, France,
Germany, Netherlands, USA, WNTI
2014 Q2
2. How to transport NORM (two day course, plus scientific visit)
Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia,
Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan,
Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Australia, Belgium,
Canada, United Kingdom, USA,
WNTI
2014 Q3
3. How to transport fissile materials (two day course, plus scientific visit)
Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa -
France, Japan, Russia, United Kingdom, USA,
WNTI2014 Q3
4. Emergency planning and exercises, and investigation of incidents/accidents (three day course, with practical exercises)
All except South Africa
Brazil, France, United
Kingdom2014 Q4
5. Package assessment and certification/validation (two day course, plus scientific visit, on-the-job training)
All except South Africa
France, Germany,
Japan, Russia, United
Kingdom, USA
2014 Q4
6. Inspection and enforcement (on-the-job training, joint inspections, plus practical exercises)
All countries -Belgium,
France, United Kingdom, USA
2015 Q1
7. Denials and delays (workshop with all relevant stakeholders)
All countries -
Belgium, Brazil, Cuba,
Edlow International,
Germany, ISSPA, Peru,
REVISS, T.I.C., United
Kingdom
2015 Q1
8. Management systems (two day workshop) All countries - Canada, United
Kingdom 2015 Q2
9. Security in transport (IAEA training course, including interaction with safety)
All countries - IAEA 2015 Q3
1525 July 2014
3.Development and operation of networks of excellence* (national; regional; international)
1. Establish national cooperative agreements e.g. MoU with other regulatory bodies (via workshop)
All except Cameroon, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa,
Sudan- 2014 Q4
2. Establish national stakeholder forum e.g. academia, medical, industry (via workshop)
All except South Africa
Belgium, United
Kingdom2015 Q1
3. Establish regional cooperative agreements with neighbouring countries e.g. joint inspections (via workshop)
All countries -France, Ireland,
Switzerland, United
Kingdom2015 Q2
4. Establish bilateral/multilateral international cooperative agreements (via workshop)
All countriesBrazil, Canada, France, Russia,
UNECE, USA2015 Q3
4.Public awareness(using multiple communication tools)
1. Denials and delays**, importance of RAM transport (workshop with all relevant stakeholders)
All countries -
Brazil, Cuba, ISSPA, Peru, T.I.C., United
Kingdom, WNA, WNTI
2014 Q3
2. Regulatory framework, existence of regulators, regulations, guidance material, who to contact (workshop, e-learning)
All countries - Canada, United Kingdom 2015 Q1
3. Safety and security, in plain/simple language information (workshop, e-learning)
All countries - France, United Kingdom, USA 2015 Q3
1625 July 2014
top related