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Reports of ill health of radiation workers at Faslane since 2002

Date released
15 October 2020
Request number
202009035
Release of information under
Freedom of Information Act 2000

Information requested

Can you provide a statement that Babcock International have had no reports of ill health of their radiation workers at Faslane since 2002? I ask in reference to the reported miscarriages in 2001 (in Scottish Sun)

Information released

We have conducted a thorough search of our document systems and we can confirm that under Section 1 of the FOIA, ONR does not hold information relevant to your request.

Further Information:

To clarify our response, I have detailed below why we do not hold the information requested.

As the enforcing authority for Health and Safety legislation on Authorised Defence Sites, we are responsible for assuring ongoing compliance with legal requirements. This includes those set out within the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR 2017) and Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, 2013 (RIDDOR 2013).

Whilst we inspect against compliance with such regulations, reporting of incidents is only required when such incidents meet specific criteria as is set out within RIDDOR 2013, or individuals are exposed to radiation doses that exceed statutory limits (as set out in IRR 2017). We do not hold, nor do we require duty-holders to routinely share medical records of individual employees.

In view of the above, we have reviewed our document system and can confirm that that no such incidents have been reported to us by either Babcock or HM Naval Base Clyde in the period you requested.

We are the enforcing authority for the Authorised parts of the HM Naval Base. The majority of the site continues to be regulated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Any reportable instances prior to 2014, or that relate to activities off the authorised parts of the site would be reported to the HSE. On this basis, you may wish to address your request to one or both of the following:

HM Naval Base Clyde
Faslane,
Helensburgh
G84 0EH

Health and Safety Executive
Redgrave Court
Merton Road
Bootle, Merseyside
L20 7HW

Exemptions applied

None

PIT (Public Interest Test) if applicable

N/A