MINUTES
25 March 2015
	Yallambie, VIC	
Chair	Roslyn Drummond (Other member)	
Members	Keith Baldry (SA) Ross Bevan (ACT), Brad Cassells (VIC), Simon Critchley (QLD), Leif Dahlskog (WA), Bruce Hocking (other member), Peter Karamoskos (person representing public interests), Carl-Magnus Larsson (ARPANSA), Robert Lyon (Nuclear Safety Committee representative), Len Potapof (NSW), Barbara Shields (TAS)	
Secretary	Diane Harrison assisted by Alex Kalaiziovski & Selva Kumar	
Apologies	Russell Robinson (NT)	
Observers	Jack Dillich, Peter Johnston, Stephen Solomon (all from ARPANSA)	
1.	STANDING ITEMS
Item 1.1	Welcome & apologies			Chair	
The meeting was opened at 0930 by new Chair Dr Roslyn Drummond, replacing Mr Keith Baldry who had been Chair since 2009.
Dr Drummond welcomed members to the first meeting of the triennium, in particular, new members Mr Leif Dahlskog and Dr Bruce Hocking. 
Item 1.2	Previous minutes			Chair	
The minutes from the previous meeting held on 19 November 2014 were confirmed out of session.  There were no further comments.
Item 1.3	Business arising from previous minutes & Action List			Chair	
Most items in the action list were noted as either complete or the subject of an agenda item.

Item 1.4	Correspondence			Chair	
The Committee noted the following correspondence: 
1.4.1	To the Chair of RHSAC providing a status update on actions to address the Bonn Call-for-Action.
1.4.2	To the Secretary, Department of Health seeking approval to submit Amendment 7 of the NDRP to the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council (AHMAC).  The Committee noted that approval has since been received for the amendment to proceed.

Item 1.5	Public Interest Issues	P Karamoskos	
There were no issues of public interest.
Item 1.6	Conflict of Interest		Chair	
No conflict of interest was declared. 
Item 1.7	Radiation Health and Safety Advisory Council 	C-M Larsson	
Appointments to the Council are currently with the Assistant Minister’s Office while the views of the Prime Minister are sought. The extension period for the existing Council will expire at the end of March.  
Item 1.8	Nuclear Safety Committee	R Lyon	
Mr Lyon provided a summary of the NSC meeting held on 6 March 2015.  Items included an overview of ARPANSA’s Delivery Model and baseline inspection program; updates on draft regulatory guides; the Government’s nationwide voluntary site nomination process for a radioactive waste management facility; and information items on an IAEA Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) Mission to the French nuclear regulatory agency (ASN), a follow-up IRRS mission to the United Arab Emirates, and the South Australian Royal Commission.  
Prior to the meeting, NSC members toured the ANSTO site where they were briefed on a number of ANSTO’s major facilities.  
A/Prof Cassels queried progress on the licensing of Little Forest Legacy Site. Mr Dillich confirmed that a Possess & Control licence is likely to be issued by mid to late April.
There was interest in the South Australian Royal Commission on nuclear power, with Mr Baldry outlining the process.  The Committee noted that ARPANSA has made a submission and requested a copy.
ACTION 1: Provide members with a copy of ARPANSA’s submission in relation to the SA Royal Commission (NURS)
2.	NATIONAL UNIFORMITY

Item 2.1	Planned actions to promote national uniformity		C-M Larsson/S Kumar	
Mr Kumar outlined the CEO’s plan to promote national uniformity in 2015. These include investigating the use of the Mutual Recognition Act 1992 for licensed radiation occupations; formation of an ad-hoc advisory panel comprising senior industry officials to advise the CEO; actively engaging the radiation industry through key peak bodies; and getting the uniformity matter into the COAG agenda by presenting it as an opportunity to cut red tape in cross-border authorisations of radiation occupations and apparatus.  Members noted the plan.

Item 2.2	Redraft of the NDRP	C-M Larsson/S Kumar	
Mr Kumar outlined progress on the redrafting of the NDRP including a revised strategy for incorporating the requirements of IAEA GSR Part 1 in a schedule to the NDRP. There was particular interest in the proposal to change the approval process to amend the NDRP by seeking delegation of the power to do so from the COAG Health Council. This would give the RHC authority to approve future amendments.  After some discussion about the influence of non-jurisdictional members in the voting process, it was agreed to modify the submission to require an issue without unanimous support to be taken to the Health Council.  
Members were asked to provide comment on the draft by the end of April. A revised draft of the proposed amendment is to be provided for the next meeting.  
ACTION 2: Provide comment on the redrafted NDRP by 30 April 2015 (All Members)
ACTION 3: Provide revised draft of NDRP for June meeting (CML/SK)

 Item 2.3		R2018 IRRS Mission to Australia	C-M Larsson	
The Committee noted ARPANSA’s intention to host an IRRS Mission in 2018 and Dr Larsson’s invitation to the jurisdictions to include their regulatory activities in the scope of the mission.  
Dr Larsson described responses from South Australia and Tasmania as ‘cautiously positive’ however indications from other jurisdictions during the meeting were less encouraging.  Mr Bevan indicated that the ACT had declined, citing resource issues and other concerns; NSW is in caretaker mode pending the state election; Queensland will likely decline; in Victoria the matter is still under discussion; and in Western Australia the invitation has not yet been considered. 
Dr Larsson expressed disappointment at the concerns raised by some jurisdictions regarding cost, risk and reputation, stating that safety and transparency should be the key issues and that such review will benefit all jurisdictions and improve confidence in radiation regulation. He emphasised that the mission will have most value if all jurisdictions take part.  Some modules address areas of core business for the RHC and the States and Territories, so it would be a pity not to embrace this opportunity for peer review. 
Members were asked to consider the value of participating in the mission and to encourage a response from their jurisdiction.  The matter will be revisited at the next meeting.  
ACTION 4: Encourage a response to the invitation to participate in the IRRS mission (S&T members) 

Item 2.4	Model conditions for industrial radiography	A Kalaiziovski	
Mr Kalaiziovski reported on the development of model conditions for industrial radiography, noting the positive support received from the Australian Institute for Non-Destructive Testing (AINDT).  
The model conditions, once approved, will become a schedule in the NDRP.  As to the question of whether a RIS will be required, it will be argued that there is nothing new being introduced beyond the requirements of RHS 31; just a difference in presentation.  
Members asked to see the body of work and will provide comment.  A draft of the model conditions is to be provided for the next meeting.
ACTION 5:  Circulate body of work on development of model conditions for industrial radiography (AK)
ACTION 6: Provide comment on body of work before June meeting (All Members)
ACTION 7: Provide draft model conditions for consideration at June meeting (AK/LD)

3. RHC WORK PROGRAM

Item 3.1	Progress on RHC projects						Project Managers	
3.1.1 Progress chart and PM reports
The Committee heard progress reports for the following projects that are not the subject of a separate agenda item:
Emergency Exposure Code	PM: B Cassels	
A/Professor Cassels reported no progress. Dr Solomon outlined the need to establish reference levels for protective measures and committed his Branch to preparing a discussion paper for the next meeting.
ACTION 8: Produce discussion paper on reference levels for June meeting (BC/RHS)
Revision of RPS 3	PM: TBA	
A project manager is yet to be appointed.
Revision of RPS 14	PM: S Critchley 	
Mr Critchley reported that a working group has been formed that includes himself, Paul Marks, Peter Karamoskos and Anthony Wallace; and that John le Heron has been engaged as a consultant and has produced a draft document structure modelled on RPS C-1.  A first draft of the code and a gap analysis for RIS purposes is due to be produced by the end of May.
ELF Guideline	PM: B Shields 	
Dr Shields reported that the Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) has responded to the draft Consultation RIS with a request for further information on cost options.
Government, Legal & Regulatory Infrastructure		PM: C-M Larsson	
This project will be incorporated into the NDRP redraft project (see item 2.2 above).
Existing Exposure Situations 	PM: K Baldry	
Mr Baldry reported no progress.  Reference levels are to be established.
Management Systems & Safety Culture 	PM: R Lyon 	
Mr Lyon reported that two NSC members have joined the working group and another two have offered input as required. The following targets were noted:
•	First draft to NSC by June 19 meeting
•	Feedback incorporated into second draft by November RHC meeting
•	Final draft in December
•	Status of IAEA draft will influence the next step.
User Disposal	PM: B Shields	
Dr Shields reported that Amendment 7 of the NDRP is proceeding through AHMAC. 
3.1.2	Planned Exposure Code		Author: K Dessent & S Kumar	PM: K Baldry	
Mr Kumar reported that the OBPR assessment of the Planned Exposure Code (PEC) is that it will have low-or minor impact and therefore no Consultation RIS is required.  Members approved the deletion of paragraph (y) and sub-paragraph (y)(i) of Schedule A1.2 in the draft code.    The Committee also agreed that a foreword be included to introduce the document prior to its release for public comment. Reformatting is also required. 
ACTION 9: Reformat PEC and include a foreword from the CEO (KB/KD/ARPANSA)
ACTION 10: Release revised draft of the PEC for public comment (KB/KD/ARPANSA)

3.1.3	NIR Fundamentals		Author: R Tinker	PM: C-M Larsson	
Mr Tinker outlined progress on the development of the NIR Fundamentals, following the same structure as the IR Fundamentals (RPS F-1).  He informed the Committee that ARPANSA will participate in a WHO meeting at the end of April to discuss the development of a basic safety standard (IAEA GSR Part 3 equivalent) for non-ionising radiation.  A draft of the NIR Fundamentals will be considered at the next meeting.
ACTION 11:  Prepare draft NIR Fundamentals for June meeting (CML/RT)
3.1.4	Revision of NDRP Schedule 13	Author: J Ward	PM: S Critchley	
Mr Ward outlined the draft amendment.  The Committee was asked to consider the introduction of a threshold and whether NIR incidents should remain in the schedule.  There was considerable debate on the issue, including a proposed threshold; without resolution.  The Committee agreed that NIR incidents should remain in the Directory. Dr Larsson noted that the Committee appears to have lost sight of the original scope of the project which was to revise Schedule 13; instead, the focus has diverged to wider reporting issues.  Members were asked to comment on the proposed amendment as it stands within two weeks. 
Note the comment on the future of this project in Other Business (Item 4).
ACTION 12: Provide comment on the proposed amendment to Schedule 13 by 8 April 2015 (All Members)
3.1.5	Radioactive Waste Disposal Code	Author: G Williams			PM: D Macnab
A new project proposal was considered for this project.  Mr Dahlskog suggested Hazel Upton be asked if she wishes to continue on the working group.
Mr Williams reported on the development of the new draft code to replace RHS 35.  He outlined the developments in waste management since 1992, including introduction of a safety case and the capturing of societal issues.
The new code incorporates IAEA SSG-5 and gives it an Australian context.  There was a suggestion to reverse sections 2 & 3 to improve the flow of the document and to remove any content already covered in RPS F-1. Members were asked for comment on the draft by the end of April. 
ACTION 13: Confirm Hazel Upton’s membership of the Working Group (LD)
ACTION 14: Provide comment on the draft disposal code by 30 April (All Members)
3.1.6	PRMS		Author/PM: S Critchley	
Mr Critchley explained that although the Committee has agreed to take up DS453, there are still unresolved issues.  The Australian Clinical Dosimetry Service must have confidence that doses comply with a national standard.  Therefore service providers must be NATA accredited and comply with the requirements of the National Measurement Act for traceability; ideally a combination of ISO 17025 certification and DS453 compliance.  The Committee did not agree to the strategy proposed in the annotated Attachment 1.

3.1.7	IPLs and Lasers	Author: J Javorniczky	PM: S Critchley	
The Committee noted that the OBPR considers the RIS now satisfies the COAG best practice regulation requirements for a Consultation RIS.  Mr Critchley acknowledged the efforts of Claire Lyngå, John Javorniczky and Selva Kumar for progressing this item. The Committee approved the release of the Consultation RIS for public comment. 
ACTION 15: Release the Consultation RIS on IPLs and lasers for public comment (SC/JJ/ARPANSA)	
3.1.8	Environment Guide	Author: M Grzechnik	PM: B Cassels	
Approximately 180 comments were received on the draft guide. The format of the guide requires further work before final approval.  Members were asked to comment on the draft by 1 April.  Approval out of session will be sought when the draft is finalised.  
ACTION 16: Provide comments on the draft Environment Guide by 1 April (All Members)

 Item 3.2		Solaria Training	A Kalaiziovski	
Mr Kalaiziovski asked the Committee to consider the correspondence from Tasmania and the training statistics to determine whether the online solaria training course should continue.  The Committee decided to retain the training until the end of 2015. 
4. GENERAL INFORMATION ITEMS

 Item 4.1	Mammography by non-radiographers	B Cassels		
The Committee noted the decision by Victoria to recognise graduates from the Charles Sturt University Graduate Diploma of Mammography.  Graduates, who receive a Statement of Professional Associate Membership from the Australian Institute of Radiography, will be issued with a limited licence in Victoria to perform (only) mammography.  Graduates fall into a category similar to rural and remote operators who are issued with a limited licence to perform basic radiography and fill a workforce need. 
SA and the ACT recognise the training, as does WA but operators there are only permitted to work for Breastscreen.  NSW accepts a licence issued in another jurisdiction under the Mutual Recognition Act but the NSW Radiation Advisory Council will consider the training at their April meeting, in particular, students on clinical practice possibly in breach of exemption provisions. 
There were concerns expressed about professional conduct since the group does not belong to a registered profession.  The Committee agreed that any endorsement should be narrow and based on risk, need and radiation protection issues.  
The qualification is likely to be included in the NDRP.  

 Item 4.2	International Liaison				
The Committee noted reports on meetings in November 2014 of the IAEA Radiation Safety Standards Committee, Waste Safety Standards Committee and Transport Safety Standards Committee.  Reports on the International Conference on Occupational Radiation Protection and the IAEA Working Group on X-ray generators & radiation sources used for non-medical purposes were also noted.

 Item 4.3	Activities supporting Bonn Call-for-Action					
Prof Johnston informed the Committee that from 1 July 2015 the Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme will be expanding to include diagnostic reference level (DRL) data.  As a result, there is expected to be an increase in practices participating in the DRL Service.  There is limited data available for interventional procedures which typically deliver a median dose of 1 Gy (up to 5 Gy).  The magnitude of doses from these procedures is such that it has become a public health issue in the USA.  

 Item 4.4	Public Interest in RPS Publications					
The Committee noted the download statistics for RPS and RHS publications from Nov 2013 – March 2015. 
5. OTHER BUSINESS
1)	The University of Adelaide had been forced to postpone its Radiation Management course due to insufficient candidates. Mr Baldry suggested the RHC has a role in promoting such training.  
2)		Mr Baldry drew to the Committee’s attention a Red Cross training course in psychological first aid that may be useful for radiation emergencies.
3)	A/Prof Cassels spoke about the use of large quantities of thoriated welding rods. Both he and Mr Critchley had a recollection that this issue had been resolved by the Committee in the past.  ARPANSA was asked to check previous minutes for any discussion/decision on exempting these items. 
ACTION 17:  Check RHC records for previous discussion/decisions on thoriated welding rods (NURS)
4)	Mr Baldry agreed with Mr Kumar’s suggestion that the project manager role for the re-draft of the NDRP (see item 2.2) be transferred to Dr Larsson. In addition, revision of Schedule 13 (Item 3.1.4) will be incorporated into the NDRP redrafting project.   
5)	Dr Shields sought advice as to whether the User Disposal draft can be released before it is approved by AHMAC. The Committee agreed that the document can be issued with a caveat that it has not been officially approved. 
6)	Prof Johnston spoke about the troubling trend of CT screening; currently being used in the USA for smokers. CT mammography screening and CT heart screening are possible extensions. Prof Johnston asked to be kept informed about any such programs in the jurisdictions.  
7)	Police in WA are seeking approval to use x-ray transmission detection equipment. 
8)	Members were invited to comment on three draft medical guidelines on the NSW EPA’s website.  
Next meeting	24 June 2015  	Venue:  TBC	
Close	1600