2 . AL1 mission h o s p ~ t a l s , c l i n i c s or e lmi lar ins t i tu t iq ins +n respec t of orders counters~gned by a Provinoial Mehcal Officer .

3. Al l t h e h&s@itals, c l i n i c s o r s imi l a r i n s t i t u t i o n s i n WLch t h e Republic has or retains more than f i f t y p e r centum I n t e r e s t , havlrlg a medical p r a c t l t l o n e r on t h e n s t a f f o r whose orders have been counte~slgrled by a Chier Med~cal Officer .

4 . I n s t ~ t u t i o n s of t h e Department of Veterinary and Tsetse Control BBrviees of t h e Ministry of Rural Develbprnbnt whose orders fo r substances a r e ee~imterszqnerl by a Veterinary Surgeon.

REPUBLIC OF Z W I A

THE IONISING RADIATION ACT

WiAPTER 311 O F TFLE I A W S 6F %ABBIA

CHAPTER 311 THE IONISIWF RADIATION AATCHAPTER 311

THE IONISING RADIATION ACT

ARRWGEMENT O F SECTIONS

PART I

PRELIMINrnY

Sect ion

l Short title and cmmerlcement

2 . I n t e r p r s t a t l o n

3 . Application

4 . Exemption

PART I1

RADIATION PAOTECTIOW BOARD

5 . Establishment &E Board

6. Campsit ion of Eoard

7 . Tenura of o f f i c e of members of Board

8 . Meetinas of Beard

9. Agenda

1 0 . Minutes of Board meetings t o be kept

11. Chairman may a c t f o r Board i n c e r t a i n cases

12. R e c o m m e n d a t ~ o n s t o be m a d e by B o a r d t o f i n l s t e r

PART I11

RADIOISOTOPE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

13. E s t a b l i s h m e n t o f R a d i o i s o t o p e A d v i s o r y C o m m i t t e e

14. C o m p s i t i o n of C o m m i t t e e

15. T e n u r e o f offior. of m e m b e r s of C o m m i t t e e

1 6 . M s e t i n q s o f C o r n n i t t e e

17 . M i n u t e s o f Camittee m e e t i n q s t o be k e p t

18. F ~ m c t i o n s of C o m m i t t e e

PART IV

O F F I C E R S O F THE BOARD

1 9 . A p p o i n t m e n t o f o f f i c w s o f B o a r d

20. P o w e r s o f R a d ~ a t l o n P r o t e a t i o n O f f ~ c e r s

PART V

LICENCES TO U S E SOURCES 6F RADIATION

S e c t i o n

21. Llcence t o u s e r a d l o n c t i v e m a t e r i a l

22. R e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f l icence h o l d e r

PART V 1

RADIATION PROTECTION SERVICE

23. R a d i a t i o n Protection S e r v i o e

PART V 1 1

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

24. O f f e n c e s and penaltlee

2 5 . E v i d e n c e

26 . R e g u l a t i o m

IONISING RADLATIONl9 of 1472 13 of 1994

An Act t o e s t a b l i s h thd law r e l a t i n g W th* pro tec t ion of t hd publ ic and workbra r r 5 m danger5 a r l s l n g flom t h e use of deViSe6 or materials capable of producing ionls lnq radla t lon; and t o provide f o r a l l matter5 lndldenta l t o or donnected wi th t h e foregoing.

l l s t May, 19751

PART I

PRELIMINARY

1. This Act may hd d i t ed a6 t h e Ionising Radiation Rct.Shdl-t t i t l e

2 . In t h s A b t , unless t h e dontext o t h e r m s e r e q u ~ r e s - I n t e r p r e t a t i o n

"Board" means t h e Radiation Protect iou Board es tab l i shed under sec t ion f i v e ;

"Committee" means the Radioisotope Advisory Committee;

"dangerous ionis ing rad+at+on" means ionis ing r ad ia t ion of s u f f ~ m e n t i n t e n s i t y a s t o e n t a i l s i g n i f i o a n t r i s k of d i s a b i l i t y o r d i sease as a r e s u l t of =.Tosure;

"&seasew includes l n l u r y and bodily or mental d e f i c ~ e n c y or abnormality;

"exposure" meam exposure t o ionis ing radiation from sources both ex te rna l and i n t e r n a l t o t h e human body o r incorporated wlthin t h e bady;

" f a e i l i w maana any assembly of deulces, equipment, s t r u c t u r e s o r na tu ra l fea tures *hether simple or complex which serves some s p e c i f i c purpose or performs some fundtlon;

" ienlglna rad la t lon" means electromagnetic or corpuscular r a d i a t ~ o n capable of producing ions d i r e o t l y or i n d i r e c t l y in its passage througll matter ;

"Radiation Protect ion Officer" means a r ad ia t ion proteckinn o f f i c e r appointed under t h i s Act and indludes t h e Chief Radiation Protec t ion Offieer;

"radioact ive material" means any mater ia l m i t t i n g ionis ing r ad ia t ion of s u f f l c l e n t intensity as t o e n t a i l s i g n l f l c a n t r i s k of d l s a b l l l t y or d isease a s a r e s u l t of -Jrposure;

"radioisotnpe" means radionuelide and i a app l i ed t o any radidact ive matter &*n iden t l fy lna t h e s l q n i f i c a n t nuclear spec ies of rad ioac t loe atoms present ;

"workers" include a l l persons p o t e n t i a l l y ezposed t o dangerous losusing r ad ia t ion or rad ioac t ive mater ia l a s a r e s u l t of t h e i r occupation.

3 . (1) The Board may, by s t a t u t o r y order , apply t h e p r w i s l o m of t h i s Act t o sources of e l e ~ t r o m a g ~ t i c r ad ia t ion o ther than X-rays and gamma rays .Applicatlnn

(21 Unless otherwise provided i n t h ~ s Act or i n requlat lona made thereunder, mater ia l s h a l l not hd dcmidered radioakt ive if it contains r ad ioac t iv i ty of l e s a than 0 . 1 mlcracuries o r i f t h e r e is m por t ion of 11 i n w h c h concentration

exceeds 0 . 0 0 2 microcuries pe r gram of m a t e r ~ a l

4 . The Minlster may, on t h e recommendation and adolce of t h e Roard (whlch may ,et higher l i m i t s fdl- &-aption i n t h e eau& of mater ia l known t o contain only the less danqerous ~ a d ~ o r l u c l i d e s ) , by s t a t u t o r y order, exempt any mater ia l which cantalnS rarlloabtlve matter of l e s s than s p e c ~ f z e d lml t s flom t h e provisions a t t h i s Act .Exemption

PART 11

RADIATION PROTECTION BOARD

5 . There i s hereby es tab l i shed a Board t o be known as tb Radiation Protec t ion Board.Establishment of Board

6 . 11) The Board s h a l l ecns i s t Of t h e following members:Compcsition of Board

( a ) a peraon appointed by t h e Minister as t h e chairman of t h e Board;

Lb] t h r Chief Radiation Protect loh Officer appointed by the H i n i s t e r a s the s e c r e t a r y of t h e Board;

(cl an advmate a p p ~ i n t e d by t h e Minister responsible fo r l e g a l a f f a i r s ;

(d) a medical p r a o t i t i o n e r appointed by t h e Minis te r?

( e ) a publ ic o f f i c e r appointed by t h e Miniatsr on nomination by t h e National Coi~ncll for Sb len t l f lb Researbh;

( f ) a s c i e n t i s t appointed b.y t h e r/Linister an nomination by t h e Vica-Chancellor of the Uniuersl ty of 5ambla;

(g) a pub l l c o f f lbe l appoirlted by t h e Minister on a numlnatlon by t h e m n l a t e r respons lb le f a r mlnes and mining development;

(h) a publ ic o f f i o r r appointed by t h e Minister an n o m i n a t i ~ n by t h e & n i s t e r r e s p o n s ~ b l e f o r r u r a l development;

( i j a public of f id& appointed by t h e Minister on nomination by t h e Minister responslble fo r defence;

[j) a publ ic o f f ~ c e r appolnted by the Mnus te r on nnmlnatlon by t h e Minister responsibln f o r home a f f a l r s ;

( k j a public of f id& appointed by t h e Minister on nomination by t h e Ministbr responslble f o r lands and na tura l resources;

[ l ) a publ ic o f f ~ c e r appolnted by the Mnus te r on nnmlnatlon by t h e Minister responsibln f o r labaur and s o c i a l sernices;

( m ) a publ ic o f f l e e r appolnted by t h e Miniater on n o m ~ n a t i m by t h e H h i s t e r respansible f o r eduoation;

[n) a publ ic o f f ~ c e r appolnted by the Mnus te r on nnmlnatlon by t h e Minister responsible f o r power, t r anspor t or uorks.

( 2 ) No pera in s h a l l b e appointed as a menber of the Board-

( a ) whlle he 1s an wdlechasged bankrupt; or

(bj while he is s&ving a sentence of imprisonment upon dmvic t ion f o r an o t tence .

7 . (l) A member of t h e Board s h a l l hold o f f l c e fo r a period of f i v e years frum the date of h i s appointment o r reappointment, a s t h e case may be.Tenure of o f f i c r of members of Board

(21 A r e t l r ~ n g memhel s h a l l be e l i g i b l e t o r reapporntaent.

(3) Qn t h e e x p i r a t i ~ n of t h e period f a r which a member i s appointed o r reappointed, he s h a l l continue t o hold o f f i c r u n t i l h l s successor has beeh appointed, bu t i n n6 dase s h a l l such fu r thb r period exceed th ree months.

(4) The o f f l c e of a member s h a l l be vacated ~f he-

( a ) d ies ;

(b) i s adjudged bankrupt or makes a composition with h i s c redi tors ;

(cl i s absent from t h r e e aonsecutive meetings o f the Eoard without spec ia l leave of t h e chairman;

(d) res igns h 5 o f f ~ c e ;

( e ) 16 disabled flom performing h i s f l m t i o n s on t h e Roald on account of phyalcal nr mental i l l n e s s o r anv other cause;

LE] i s unable t o perform h i s funct lohs a s a member of t h e Board on accouht of h i s absence from t h e RepiiRlic or any o ther causa;

(g1 l a convicted of an offence under any wr l t t en law and sentenced the re fo r t o lmprlaonment w ~ t h o u t t h e option of a f lne .

(5) The Board may eserc lee i t s powers and perform i ts du t l e s notwithstanding any vacancy i n i t s rnemhership.

8 . (1) The Board s h a l l meet a t such times and places as it deems eatpedient fo r the t r ansac t ion of i t s business.Meetiugs of Board

2 The chairman s h a l l p re s ide a t a l l meetings of t h e Board and i n h i s absence s ixh member of the R~a lc i as t h e members present may appolnt s h a l l pres ide .

(31 A t every meeting of t h e Board fiv* memberg ghal l c o n s t i t u t e a quorum

( 4 ) The chairman s h a l l , i n addit ion t o h s d e l i b e r a t ~ v e vote ae a member of the Board, hava a cast inq vote.

9 . (1) The sec re t a ry s h a l l , i n consul ta t ion with t h e chairman, prepare an a g a d a which s h a l l b r d i s t r ibu ted t o a l l members of t h e Board a t l e a s t f i v e days p r l o r t o each o r d ~ n a r y meeting.Agenda

L21 Where any ltem of t h e agenda 1s deemed t o be of slcinificance t o any Ministry not represent& on t h e Board, thb secre tary s h a l l nd t i fy and i n v i t e thb Permanent Secretary of t h a t Ministry o r his rep resen ta t loe t o a t tend t h a t

meetlng, who s h a l l p a r t i c i p a t e i n t h e meetlng i n all resp-ts a s i f he were a member of the Board.

10. The Secretary s h a l l cause d e t a i l s b f a l l business t ransacted a t any meetlng of t h e Boald t o be entered r egu la r ly i n a uunute book kept f o r t h a t purpose and the mlnutas of t h e proceedings of eaah meetlng s h a l l be s ~ ~ b n i t t e d t o the Board fo r confirmation a t a subsequent meeting of the E o a ~ d and, i f passed a s cor rec t , s h a l l b r oonfirmed by t h e s ignature of t h e chairman and when so confirmed s h a l l be prima f a c l e evldence i n any court a s an accurate record of thb procndings.Minut& of Board meetings t o he kept

11. The chairman may, i n consul ta t ion wi th t h e advocate r e i e r r ed t o i n sec t i an s i x (11 (c) and t h e Chief Radiation P ro tec t ion Off ior r , a c t f o r arid in l i e u of t h e Board i n any matter of urgency but any such ac t ion s h a l l be r e fe r r ed t b t h e Boarirl a t i t s ndxt meeting fo r i t s information and appl-dval.Ghaiman may a c t for Boar-d i n c e r t a i n cases

12. Subject t o t h e provisions of t h i s Act, t h e Board s h a l l make recommendations t o ths Minister ou a l l matters cancerning-

( a ) the assurance t h a t a l l a c t i v i t i e s imrolvinq the use of devices or materlalg capable of ploduclng dangerous amounts of l o m s l n g l a d l a t i o n a r e carried out i n suoh a manner a s t o avoid danger t o t h e pub l io or t o workers concerned or l i m i t r i s k s t o those acceptable as a mat te r of publ ic policy;

[b) the a l l o c a t ~ o n of priorities and co-ordination of a c t l v l t l e s i n connection with maintenance of s a f e t y i n the use of devices or mater ia l s preiduclng zonlslng ~ a d l a t l o n and associated matter5 t o make t h e b e s t use of aya i l ab le resources, taklng i n t o account t h e needs of t h e covntry and a l t e r n a t i v e methods of achleuinq a q u i v a l m t r e s u l t s ?

( c ) any amendments t o be made t o t h i s Act or regulakions t o be made theremder.Recomer~dat~ons t o be made by Baard t o PUmstel

PART I11

RADIOSOTOFE ADVISORY COMXTTTZZ

13. There is hereby es tab l i shed a Gbmmittee t o be knom as t h e Badioisotop* Advlaory Comlt tee.Estab11shent of Radioisotope h d v ~ s o r y Committee

14. [l) The C o m ~ t t e e s h a l l oons is t of the following members:Composition of Committee

( a ) a s c i e n t i s t appdinted by t h e Board .bn nomination hy thd National Council fo r S c i e n t i f i c Research;

[b) scientists, not esoeedlng four in number, appointed by the Board on nomination b y t h e Vice-Chancellor of the Univers i ty of Zambia;

(c l a r a d i o l o g ~ s t appalnted bv t h e Board ein nomination by t h e Hedlcnl Colmcil of Zambia;

[d) an engineer o r other s p e o i a l i s t concerned with s a f e t y I n mlnes appointed by t h e Board on nomination by t h e Mihlster responsible fo r minas and mlnlhg dbvelopment;

(el an engineer o r other s p e c i a l i s t concerned wi th s a f e t y i n f a d o r i e s appolnted by t h e Board on nomination by the Minister responsLble f o r labour and s o c l a l sarwices;

(f) an enqlneer o l other s ipedial is t Coaerned n t h the s a f e t y of t r anspor t appolnted by the Beald on rlomination b y the m n l s t e r r e s p m s ~ h l e f o r power, t r anspor t and Works;

[g ] s e i e n t l s t s , enqineers o r o ther s p e c i a l i s t s from bodies or i n s t i t u t l o h s ebncerned with t h e us& or handling of dbvirties o r mater ia l producing iodis ing radla t lon , not exceeding s l x i n number, appolnted by the Reald on nomination received from suoh bodies or i n s t i t u t i o n s a t t h e i n v i t a t i o n of t h e Board;

Lhl a scientist concerned n t h ehvlronmental protection appointed by t h e Ebard;

(i) t h e G u e f R a d ~ a t ~ o n Protedt ion Ofr i ser who ghal l be t h e sec re t a ry of t h e Commlttee.

L21 Thr members present a t t h e f i r s t meeting of t h e Commlttee s h a l l e l e c t a chairman from amonq themselves and t h e s e c r e t a r y s h a l l c a l l such meetinq and s h a l l preside over t h e maetlng f o r t h a t purpose.

( 3 ) No person s h a l l b r appointed a s a member of t h e Cammitt-

[a ) while he 1s an wdisohasged bankrupt; or

( h ) whlle he is se lv lng a sentence of imprlsoment upon b m v ~ c t i o n f o r an offence.

1 5 . (11 A member of t h e Committee s h a l l hold o f f i c e fo r a period of t h r e e years from t h e da te of h ~ s appointment or reappointment, as t h e ease may &.Tenure of o f f l c e of men&ers of Committee

(21 A r e t i r i n g member s h a l l be e l i g i b l e f o r reappcintrqent.

( 3 ) On the expiration of t h e period f o r w h c h a member 1s appointed o r reappointed, he s h a l l continue t o hold o f f i c e u n t i l h i s successor has been appointed, bu t i n n6 dase s h a l l such fu r thb r period exceed th ree months.

(4) The o f f i c e of a m e m b e r s h a l l be vacated i f he-

( a ) d i e s ;

( b j i s adjudged bankrupt or m a h s a c.bnp.bsition ~ t h his dsedi tors;

(cl i s absent from t h r e e aonsecutive meetings o f t h e Committee without special leave of t h e chairman;

res igns h i s off id&;

( e ) i s disabled from performing h i s funct ians on t h e Cammitt- on accouut of physlcal or mental I l l n e s s o r any other cause;

LE] i s unable t o perform h l s fuhct lons a s a member of the Committee oh akkount of h i s absendd from t h e Republirti b r any other cauS&;

( g ) i s convioted of an offence under any w r i t t e n law and sentenoed the re fo r t o lmprlsonment without the option of a f lne .

( 5 ) The Conmitt& may exerc ise its pawers and perform i t s du t i e s m t m t h s t a n d l n g any vacancy i n i ts membership.

l (l) The Committm s h a l l meet a t such times and plaoes a s +t deems ssxpedient fo r t h e t r a m a c t i o n of i ts business.Meetings of Committee

( 2 ) Special meetinas of t h e Commit'&% may he ca l led-

( a ) on t h e request of t h e Board;

Lbi on t h e request of four members of the Cbmmittee i f any urgent matter a r i s e s fo r consideratihsi by t h e Committb%.

( 3 ) The sec re t a ry of t h e C c m m i t t e e s h a l l , i n consu l t akon wrth t h e chairman, prepare an aqenda which s h a l l be d i s t r i b u t e d t o a l l members of t h e Committee net l o s s than four days before each meeting.

( 4 ) The chairman of t h e Committee may imr i t e an -Jrpert, other than a member o f the Commlttee, t o a t ten& an& p a r t i c i p a t e i n t h e dlsdusslon on any matter i n which i n t h e opinion of t h e chairman such expert may make a useful contr ibut ion, having regard t o his ~ p e r t i s e i n t h a t mat te r .

17. The s e c r e t a r y s h a l l oause d e t a i l s of all business t ransac ted a t any meeting of t h e Cammittee t o be entered r equ la r ly i n a minute book kept f o r t h a t purpose and t h e mlnutes of t h e proceedinqs of eaah meekng s h a l l be submitted t o the C a m i t t e e and, i f passed as co r rec t , s h a l l be confirmed by t h e s ignature of the chairman and when s o confirmed s h a l l be prima f a c i e evidence i n any cour t a s an accurate record of t h e proceedlhgs.'Minute~ of Commlttee meetings t o be kept

18. (1) The Comm~ttee s h a l l advise t h e Eaard-Funckons of Committee

( a ) on matters r e fe r r ed t o it bv t h e Board;

[b) on measures necessary f o r ensuring publ lc s a f e t y I n the use of radioisotopes or devices capable of prodtzcing ionis ing r ad ia t ion i n danqerous ambUnts, including thd s a f e t y of t h e u,*r and other work&s;

( C ) om a l l other m a t t ~ r s of a t e c h i c a l na tu re an which ths Committee i s competent t o advlse.

( 2 ) The Commlttee may i t s e l f i n i t i a t e s t i ~ d l e s or lnqu l r l e s concerning t h e s a t e U-% of radioisotap& dl- devices producing ion i s ing radiat icm and may recommend measures, including t h e expenditure of funds i n pupport of such work, t o t h e Board.

PART I V

OFFICERS OF TRE BOARD

19. [ l ) The charman of t h e Board s h a l l be appointed by the Mnuster-Appo~ntment of o f f loe r s of Board

( 2 ) The Chief Radiatihsi Protect ion Offi*r, t h e Legal AdviS& t o t h e Buard and such other n f f l c e r s a s may be necessary fo r carryina ~ n t o e f f ec t t h e provisions

o f t h l s Act s h a l l b e appointed by t h e Publ ic Service Commission a s publ ic officers.

(3) Thr chairman &E t h e Badiation Protbet ion Boarirl s h a l l h& d i r e c t l y responsible t o the Mmlstar for-

( a ) lmplamenting t h e provisions of t h i s Act;

Lbl conweying t o the H i n i s t e r t h e recommendations of the Board.

(4) The chalrman of t h e Radiation Pratect lon Board may de legate o r assign t o any o f f l c e r appointed under t h i s s ec t ion any o r a l l of his ppms and du t i e s conferred or imposed upon him under t h i s Act, bu t , i m so doing, he s h a l l no t ther rby dihiest hlmself of t h e n g h t t o ene re i s r concurrent ly a l l or any of such pawers and d u t i e s .

( 5 ) The C h e f Radlatlon Protect ion Ofr i ser s h a l l be s e d r e t a l y of t h e Board and of t h e C a m i t t e e and-

La] s h a l l perform the du t i e s conferred upon him by t h l s Act or any o ther w r i t t e n law and s u ~ h other du t i e s a s may be assigned t o him by t h e chairman o r the Board;

(h) s h a l l be respm-ible f o r taking a l l measures necessary t o ensure t h a t t h e Board i s a t a l l t i m ~ adequately informed a s t o t h e ex is t ing s t a t e of r a d i a t i o n s a f e t y and as t o any developments m connection with r ad la t lon safe ty .

20. (1) The Cluef Radaation Protec t ion Orf lcer or any Radlation Protect ion Offlcer aha l l , for t h e purpose of t h e .a-xr-cutlon of t h e p r w i s i o m of this Act, have t h e power t o do a l l or any of t h e following, t h a t i s t o say:Powers of Radiation Protac t lon Off icers

( a ) t o en ter , l m p e c t examine any premises or any p a l t thereof, vehicle, vesae l , boat, a l r c r a f t o r anv ca r r i age of any deacriptaon i n o r lipon which he has reasonable cause t o be l leve t h a t radioactive mater la l or any source of dangerous ionis ing r ad ia t ion i s s tored , used, t ransported or disposed of;

(b) t o requfre t h e production of any l icence authoris ing the rise of rad ioac t ive mater ia l dl- sources of dangbrbus ion i s ing r ad ia t ion and any rr-glater , n e r t l f l c a t e , no t lce o r dociment kept i n pursuance of t h s A c t , and t o inspect , examine or t ake a copy thereof;

( C ) t o make such examinations and inqu i r i e s as maybe necessary t o a sce r t a in whether t h e p r o v l s l m s of t h i s A c t a r e being camplled with;

( d ) t o -aamine, e i t h e r alone o r i n t h e preaence of any other person as he thinl;s f i t , any person with respec t t o matters under thss A c t or t o requi re such person t o be so examined: Provided t h a t no person s h a l l be compelled t o answer any questions or give any evidence tendinq t o incriminate himself;

($1 I n the 5ase of a Radlation Protec t ion Offlcer who 1s a medlcal p r a c t i t i o n e r , t o car ry out such medical ssxminations as may b r necessary i n 'the chscharge of t h e d u t l e s Imposed upon hm by t h i s Act;

LE] t c exerc lse such other powers a s may b r nroessary fo r carrying t h e prbvisions of this Adt iri to e f f e c t .

(21 The owner of any radioac t ive mater ia l o r any source of dangwous ion i s ing r ad ia t ion , his agent, employee o r servant s h a l l fu rn i sh t h e means required by a Radiation Protec t lon Officer a s may be necessary fo r entry, inspection, *rramination, inquiry, t h e taking of samplba o r otherwise fdl- t h e exerc ise of h ia powers under t h s A c t .

(31 Any person who-

La] w i l f u l l y d e l a m a Radiatlon Protec t ion Officer i n t h e exercise of h l s pbwers under this s&tion;

(b1 wlthout reasonable exause, f a i l s t o camply with the rqu i r emen t s of a Radiation P r o t e c t i ~ n Officer made i n pursuance of t h e provisions of t h i s sect lon;

( c ) without reasonable excuse, f a i l s t o produce any r e g i s t e r , c e r t i f i c a t e , no t i ce o r dodument wh~bh he is required by or i n pvrsuande of t h e provisions o r t h i g Act t o produce;

Ldl w i l f u l l y wlthholda any lnformatlon a s t o who i s the owner or responsible fo r the management of any r ad ia t ion source; or

(e1 w l l f u l l y conceals, prevents o r attempts t o conceal o r prevent a person from appearing be fo re o r being examined by a Radiat ion P r o t m t i o a Cifficer;

s h a l l be deemed t o have obetruoted a Rachation P r o t e c t ~ o n Offleer i n the execution of h i s du t i e s rinder t h i s Act.

(4) Mlhers a Rad la t im Protect ion Officer i g obstructed l n t h e execution of h i s d u t i e s under t h i s Aot, t h e person obs t ruc t ing h i m s h a l l b r l i a b l e t o be a r r e s t ed ~ i t h o u t warrant, s h a l l be g u l l t y of ah offencr and s h a l l upon conuictlon be l i a b l e t o a f i n e not exceed~nq twenty thousand pena l ty u n i t s or t o imprisonment t o r a term not exdeeding five years, o r t a both

( 5 ) Every R a d l a t l m Pra tec t lon Officer s h a l l be furnished with a c e r t i f i c a t e o f h i s appointment signnd by or under t h e au thor i ty of t h e Minister and, whev v i s i t i n g a p lace t o whloh t h e provisions of t h l s Act apply, s h a l l , i f s o required, produce the s a ~ d c e r t i f i c a t e t o the occupier or person holding a rbaponsible pos i t i on &E managemnt o r kbnt ro l of t h e f a c i l i t y a t such prenisea i n whlch the r a d l a t i m source i s believed t o be p r s sen t o r t o e x l s t .

( 6 ) A Radiatlon Protec t lon Dffioer s h a l l t r e a t as cnnf ldent la l the source of any complaint br inqing t o h i s not ice any contravention of any of t h e prooisions o r t h i s Adt and s h a l l glve no in t imat ion t a t h e owner or h ~ s ~ e p r e s e n t a t i v e t h a t a v i s i t of inspec t ion was made i n conshquknce of such complaint.

(71 Every person employed i n t h e a r lmids t ra t lon of t h i s A c t s h a l l t r e a t a s s e c r e t and conf ldent la l any in fo rma t~on of a type normally coneldered subjec t t o profess ional , commercial, t r a d e o r i n d u s t r i a l secrecy, t h e reve la t ion of which i a not necessary fdl- t h e implemntat ibn bf t h i s Act, and any person who discloses such ~ n f e r m a t l o n t o nnv other pergon i n ccntravention of nnv provision of t h i s sec t ion , w h t b r such a person is or h a s ceased t o b r employed i n t h e administration of t h l s Act o r not , s h a l l be g u l l t y of an offence and s h a l l upon convict ion be l l a b l e t o a f l n e not exceechng twenty thousand penal ty u n i t s or t o imprisonment fo r a term not exceedlhg f i v e years , or t o both.

(As amended b y Act Ne. 1 3 of 1994)

PART v

LICENCES TO USE SOURCES C2F BADIATION

21. (1) Any person who in tends t o use rad loac t lve mater la l or o the r sources o t dangerous ionis ing r a d i a t ~ o n s h a l l apply t o t h e Board fo r an appropriate 1icence.Licence t o us= radioac t ive mater ia l

( 2 ) An appl ica t ion fdl- a l i cence t o U,& rad ioac t ive mat&ial or o the r sour* bf dangerous lonis ing ~ a d l a t i o n s h a l l be i n t h e prescribed ffmn s h a l l be submitted t o the Chief Radiation Protec t ion Off icer who s h a l l prepare t h e appropriate lice--.

(3) The Chief Radiatihsi Protect ion Offi*r s h a l l submit t hd appl ica t ion fb r a l i cence and t h e apprapr ia te l i cence prepared by him under subsection ( 2 ) t o t h e Committee for i t s sb~u t i r ly , and t h e Committee s h a l l then t lansmit t h e l i cence t a the Board t m e t h e r with t h e proposed amendments ( i f any) and t h e Board s h a l l f i n a l l y determine tb form and con'tevts of t h e l icence :

Prmrided t h a t , i n any oase where t h e chairman of the Radiation Frotect ion Board and t h e Guef R a d l a t ~ o n Protect ion Offieer a r e s a t i s f l e d tha t , having regard t a the urgency of the matter and o ther circumstances of the oase, a provis ional l i cence should be issued, such l i cevce may be issued, v a l i d m d y u n t i l t h e meetings of t h e Committee and Board u e ~ t following t h e d a t ~ of i s s u e of t h e provlslonal l lcence .

(4) A lzcence i ssued wl~dar t h i s sect ion-

( a ) s h a l l be i n t b prescribed form;

( b ) s h a l l be issued by t h e Board t o a person a s mmer or as t h e appropriate responsible o f f l c e l of an i r ~ s t i t u t i o n , p a r t n e r s h p , corpola t lon or government body;

( C ) may conta in su& oonditions a s t h e Chief Radiat ion Protec t ion Off icer may deem necessary t o Impose f o r the s a f e conduct of the proposed operation, process or f a c i l i t y and fo r the s a f e disposal of a l l radioackive wastes and radioac t ive mater ia l r s s u l t i n g from t h e proposed op%ration, p r m e s s o r f a d i l i t y ; such candlt ions may b e e i t h e r s p e c i f i c o r take t h e fnrm of general requirements t~ meet prescribed standards or codes of p r a c t i c e published supplemental t o t h i s Act, or s tandsrds or codes of p rac t i ce published by internationally reoognised bodies including khe In t e rna t iona l Fommission on Rhdioloqical Frotect ion and the International Atomlb Energy Agenby, o r any comblnatlon of such corlditions:

Prov~ded t h a t any person using radioactive mater ia l o r some o ther source of dangerous lorusing r ad ia t ion p r i o r t o the commencement of t h e Aot may, i f he submits h i s appl ica t ion In t h e prescribed form within th ree months from t h e kbmeneement of t h i s Adt, continue t o U,% t h e same unless h i s appl ica t ion is refused and t h e r e fusa l IS comlmicated t o hlm;

[d) s h a l l be spec l f l c with regard t o the process, operation or f a o i l i t y ;

Le) s h a l l au thor ise t h e purchase or acquisition by other means, t h e importation, produdtion, possession, t ranspor t , s torage, uSd and d isposa l a s raqulred, of spec i f ied quan t i t i e s and kinds of radioactive mater ia l o r o ther

eaurce o f dangerous ion+s+ng rad ia t ion required fo r the o p a a t i o n , process o r f a c l l l t y s p e c l f ~ e d ;

( f ) may cover t h e se#arate acquis i t ion b r importation of d iverse o r repeated l o t s of rad:oabt:ve matar la l if they a re a l l l ~ s t e d on t h e llcerlce and a r e t a be used s o l e l y :n the 1:bensea probess, nperatlon or f a d l l l t y .

( 5 ) A l i cence issund under t h i s sec'tion-

( a ) may be amended a t any t i m e on wri t tbn no t i ce by t h e G h i 6 Badiation Protec t lon 0ff:bel f it1 h i s opinion, such amendment i s necessary f o r t h e purposes of safe ty ;

Lb] may be suspended or revoked by the chairman of the Radiation Protect loh Ebard i f t h e holder thereof f a i l s t o cbmply with t h e condit ions contained in th* l icence or l a i d down i n t h i s Act o r i n any regula t ions made thereunder.

(6) Mlhere a l l cence is suspended, t h e helder thereof s h a l l take such s t e p s a s may be recommended by t h e Chlef Radiation Protec t ion Off ior r t o ensure t h a t no r ad ia t ion hazards occur during t h e period of suspension.

22. (1) The h o l d e ~ of a l ibenbe s h a l l be r e e p o n s ~ b l e t o ensure t h a t any apera t lon , condition of s torage, t ranspor t o r dispsal s h a l l not r e s u l t d i r e c t l y or i n d i r e c t l y i m exposure t o lonis ing r ad ia t ion i n such an amount a s l i k e l y t o cause harmful e f f e o t s t o t h e public , t o h i s employees, other workers o r o ther users or t o proper ty awned e i t h e r by the Government or pr:vate persons.Responsibi l i ty of l ~ c e n c e holder

(21 Any nwner or user of rad ioac t ive mater la l nr source of dangerous ionis ing r ad ia t ion fo r which llcu holds no va l id licsmce s h a l l be a m e r a b l e f o r any harmful e f f e c t s a r i s inq from t h e possession, s toraqe , t ranspor t , use o r d lsposa l of such radioac t ive mater ia l or source of dangerous ionis inq radia t ion , and such answerab:l~ty s h a l l bmtlrlue with regard t a any such ma te l l a l a f t e r it has been seized, impounded, s t a r e d o r disposed of by t h e Chief Radiation Protect ion Offlcer nr a person a u t h o r ~ s e d bv him i n wr l t l na .

( 3 ) The r a d i a t ~ o n s a f e t y requirements prescribed under th:s Act do not extend t o p a t i e n t s undergainq medical treatment by exposura t o r a d i a t ~ o n by or under th* supervision of a m a i c a l pract i t ion*r; but do apply td. t h e s a f e t y of meditial and technical s t a f f werklng with t h e radioactive mater ia l o r source of dangerous ionis ing r a d i a t i o n and t o t h e pro tec t ion of a l l other persm-, o ther than t h e p a t l e n t undergoing treatment.

(4) 6uh]ebt t o such exceptions a s may be s o n t a ~ n e d i n any ~ e g u l a t i o n s o r l i t ience issued und& t h i s A c t , t h e s tandard of r ad ia t ion prd.tection t o be m e t fo r t h e purposes of t h i s Act s h a l l be the maxlmum permissible Levels of rad:at:on es tab l i shed and aacepted i n t e r n a t ~ o n a l l y and published from t i m e t o tlme by the International Commlsslon on Radiological Protect lon.

( 5 ) Whenever a physidal or mental d i s a b i l i t y appears-

( a ) in a person w l l i a h medical opinion competent i n t h e f i e l d of r ad ia t ion chsease ascr ibes t o r ad la t lon exposure, i t s h a l l be presumed t h a t t h e disability arose due t o rad:at:on exposure from a source of s u f f l c l e n t s t r eng th t o glve rise t o such disability;

(bl t h a t nould have a r l s e n e i t h e r from rad la t lon nr from o the r causes, t h e

fallowing c r i t e r i a s h a l l be applied t o d i s c e r n t h e cause of suah d i s a b i l i t y , namely:

(i) if a d i s a b i l i t y &E a nature known tb he caused e i t h & by r ad ia t ion o r t h a t can a rz se from other poss ib le Causes appear5 i n a p e l s m who could have been exposed t o a s w c e of r ad ia t ion o r suf f lczent s t rength t o have daused t h e d i s a b ~ l i t y , i t s h a l l b e assumed t h a t t h e disability arose from one o r more o f such exposures i f m record of personal ssxposure has been maintained t o a s tandard approved by t h e Ftlief Radiation Protec t ion Officer;

(ii) ~f a d i s a b l l l t y of a nature h o w t a be caused e l t h e ~ by r a d ~ a t i o n o r t h a t can a r i s e from other poss ib l e causes appears i n a person fo r whom a personal r a d i a t i o n mposure record e~ i s t s , m d i c a t i n g t h a t mposures i n escess of recommended permissible i l m ~ t s have occurred, it s h a l l be presumed t h a t such d i s a b i l i t y occurred as a r e s u l t of such r ad ia t ion exposurd;

(iil) ~f a d i s a b l l l t y of a nature h o w t a be caused e l t h e ~ by r a d ~ a t i o n o r t h a t can a r i a e from o the r poss ib l e causes appear0 i n a p e r s m f o r whom a personal r a d i a t i o n mposure record has be- maintained t o a standard approved by the Chlef Radlation Protect ion Officer, i t s h a l l be prasumed t h a t t h e d ~ s a b i l l t y d i d not a r i s e from r a d i a t ~ a n exposure i T such exposure records show rad ia t ion exposures have been wrtkun permissible l imits on all possible occasions of r ad ia t ion eaposure.

PART V 1

RADIATION PAOTECTIOW SnRVICE

2 3 . (1) There is hereby es tab l i shed a Radlatlon P r o t e c t i m SemIce which shal l -Radiat ion P r o t m t i o a Service

( a ) dstermine t h e ex tent of exposure t o ionis ing radiakiian of t h e pltblic and o r worker5 and, sublec t t o t h e provisions o f th15 Act, detelmzne t h e degree o r r i s k of d i s a b i l i t y at tached t o such exposure;

(b) be respons ib le fo r examining, a s may b e deemad necessary by t h e Chiaf Radlation P r o t e c t ~ o n Offloer, a l l premlses i n respec t of whlch a l loenoe t o use r ad ia t ion is i n force and a l l p laces of d isposa l fo r rad ioac t ive mater ia l and wastes;

( C ) advise t h e Board of t h e ex tent of r ad ia t ion exposure t o persons i n 2 d i a ; and

( d ) aduxse and recornerxi t o l idence ha lders s t eps d e s l r & ~ l e t o reaude *xposure t o acceptahld limits.

(21 The Radiation F r u t e d ~ o n Service s h a l l maintain a personal r ad ia t ion dosimetry s e r v ~ c e -

( a ) t o pruvide personal r ad ia t ion measuring devices t o h& w d r n by any indlvldual l i k e l y t o b e exposed t o radiatiein;

[b) t o provide a reporting se rv ice whereby it w i l l m a n t a i n adequate records of personal radiation exposure measurements and s h a l l render t o the l ioence holders and t o the Board repor ts , a t s u i t a b l e i n t a v a l s , of the information kbntained i n t h e r&drds; arid

(cl t o warn indiv iduals who have been or a r e l l k e l y t o b e s u b j e d t o over exposure.

( 3 ) The personal r ad ia t ion dosimetry ,ervice may, a t t h e d i sd re t ion of t h e Chief Radlatlon Protec t lon Offider, be provlded wlthout dhalge or f o r such f ee a s may b e p r e s d r ~ h e d 1f t h e Board s a determines on request from a holder o r a l icence; or i t s u s e may be included a s a necessary condstian of a p a r t i c u l a r l icence .

( 4 ) The Radiation Prcltection Service s h a l l he d i r m t e d by thd Ghief Radiation Protec t lon 'Officer who s h a l l be its senior o f f l ce r and who s h a l l redommend t a the Board t h e provisian of s t a f f s u i t a b l e f o r t h e carrying aut of ~ t s funct ions.

PART VII

M1 SCELLANEOUS PROVISIOWS

2 4 . (1) m y person who contravenes any provlaion of t h r s Act r e l a t i n u t o o r i n connection w i t h importation, possession, t ranspor ta t ion , u s e or d isposa l of rad loae t ive matersal or o ther source of dangerous ionls lnq radia t ion , m t h o u t being i n possession of a va l id l icence , s h a l l be g u i l t y of an offence and s h a l l be l l a b l e upcn c o n v ~ b t ~ o n t o a f i n e not exceeding fpur thuusand penal ty un i t s o r t o lmprlsoment fo r a t e r m not exceedim s i x months, o r t u both suah f l n e and imprisonment; and every o f f i c e r respovslble fo r a f a c i l i t y i n which any such mater ia l or other smuroe i s used s h a l l be g u i l t y of am offenor and upon convlct lon s h a l l be l l a b l e t o a f m e not exceeding two thousand penal ty u n i t s or t o imprisonment fo r a term not exceedins t h r e s months, or t o hoth.0ffences and penalties

( 2 ) Where a person i n possession of a v a l i d l i cence f a i l s t o comply with any provision of t h l s Act or with t h e terms or condit ions of h i s l icence , t h e Chlef Radiation Protect ion Officer-

( a ) ,shall i a sue a warnlng sndicat ing a time l l m i t f o r complying Wlth t h e terms or condlt lons of t h e l icence ;

[b) ~f he oonslders l t necessary f o r the s a f e t y of t h e public or workers, may suspend the l i cence and requi re suspension of work with t h e rad ioac t ive material b r other source of dangerous iodis ing r ad ia t ion and its s t&age i n a s a f e pla* or under conditions preventinu exposure of t h e p u b l ~ c or workers t o p o t e n t i a l l y dangerous rad ia t ion; andtor

( c ) s h a l l requi re the owner or responsible l icensee t o take such measures a s a re needed t o aha te t h e adverse e f f e c t s (it any) of h s f a ~ l u e t o meet t h e a n d i t i o n s of h i s l i d m d e ;

and l f t h e owaer o r responsible l i censee f a l l s t o comply with t h e terms o r condlt lons specsf led I n the warning or o ther requirement, or continues t o p e r m t use of rad ioac t ive m a t e r ~ a l or other source of dangerous i o n i s ~ n g r ad ia t ion while h i s l i cence i s under sm~pension, h* s h a l l be g u i l t y &E an offence and s h a l l upon n c n v ~ c t i o n be I s a b l e t o a f i n e not exceeding two thollsand penal ty u n i t s or t o a term of imprisonment vo't ssxceeding th ree m ~ n t h s , o r t o both.

(3) Any a c t or nmlsslon, whioh i f done by an individual s h a l l be an offence under t h i s Act or any regulations made thereunder, s h a l l , i f done by a body ebrporate , be deemed an offence committbd by eve.??, d i r ec t&, sec re t a ry o r manager, unless he p r w e s t h a t t h e offence was c o m i t t e d withajut hls consent or

camlvance and t h a t he exeroised a l l such d l l l gence t o p r m e n t t h e commission of the offence a s he ought t o have exercised, havlng regsrd t o the nature of h ~ s funet ions and a l l t h e circumstances of the casa.

(4) I f an offence under this Adt o r any requlat lons made theleur~cier is Sammltted by a par tne l i n a f i r m , every person who, a t thn tlme of t h e cammlsslon of the offenoe, was a par tner l n t h a t firm o r was purporting t o a c t in t h a t o f f i ce s h a l l b r deemed t o have committed t h e l i k e offenc-, unless he proves t h a t t h e offence was committed ~ i t h o u t h i s consent or connivance ahd t h a t h% exercised a l l sudh d i l i gence t o prevent t h a commission d.f t h e offence a s h* o i ~ ~ h t t o have exeldlsed, having regard t a t h e na ture of h ~ s furlctions and a l l the circumstances of t h e oase.

L51 I n addi t lon t o the penalties provided i n subsection (11, t h e rad loac t lve mater ia l or other sovrde of dangerous ibnis ing r ad ia t ion s h a l l be l i a b l e t o seizure, impoundment, sea l ing , being rendered inoperat ive, destr i ie t ion or disposal I n sudh mannel as t h e Chief Radiation Prc tedt lon o f f l c e r may donsider necesgary fo r t h e p ra t ec t lon of t h e publ ic or workers and may only be returned t o t h e o r ig ina l owner i f convenient and under condi t iom set f o r t h i n a l i cevce p ropr r ly i ssued by the Roard.

S amended by A b t Ne. 1 3 of 1 Y Y 4 )

25. (1) Without prejudic- t o any r e q u i r m e n t t o comply with any s p e c i a l condition included i n t h e l i cence o r in m y r egu la t iom made under t h i s A c t , evldence t h a t t h e holder of a l ioence has complied w ~ t h t h e radiation s a f e t y s tandards or recommendations f o r permissible r ad ia t ion exposure piiRlished by the In terna t lonal Atomld Energy Agendy o r by t h e In terna t lonal Commission on Radloloyioal P r o t e c t i m s h a l l be prima f a c i e evidence t h a t t h e holder of such l i cence has complied with r ad ia t ion s a f e t y standards w i t h respec t t o t h e requlrrments of t h i s Act.Euidence

( 2 ) Records of exposwe measurements maintained In acceldance with t h e provlalons nf t h r s Act s h a l l , unless t h e ceintrary i g proved, be accepted as evidence by every c a r t concerned with es tab l lah inq causes of a d l s n b i l i t y .

2 6 . The W r u s t e r may, on the advice of the Board, by s t a t u t o r y ~ n s t r u m e n t , make regulations-Requlations

(a1 preacriblng application and l icence forms t o be used under t h s A c t ;

[b) l lmi t ing t h e use of radioaot ive mater la l or equpment produolng dangerous ionis ing r ad ia t ion f a r any spec i f i ed purpose, including use f a r medical o r denta l purposes;

(c l preacriblng f e e s f o r services rendered by t h e R a d l a t i m Protect ion Servlce; and

(di prescr ib ing anything required t o be prescribed under t h i s Act.

SECTION 26-THE IOWIZIWG FCsDIATlOhi [FEES] REGTJLATIONB

Aegulatlnns b y t h e MinisterStntutory Instrument no. R6 of 1002