Government to review ANSTO health and safety

The Australian Government has formed a high-level panel to evaluate health and safety practices at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation radiopharmaceuticals facility - ANSTO Health.

Announcing the review, Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr said: “I expect the review to provide me with an up-to-date position on the operation of ANSTO Health and the health and safety arrangements currently in place.”

Senator Carr announced the panel would be chaired by Mark Paterson AO, Secretary of the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, adding: “Paterson’s extensive public and private sector experience and his familiarity with ANSTO’s role as a research agency within the Innovation, Industry, Science and Research portfolio will ensure a thorough review.”

The panel members are Dr Jim Peacock, Grahame Cook and Tim Ayres.

Dr Peacock is a CSIRO Fellow and former Chief Scientist of Australia (2006-2008) and he will provide the review panel with the necessary expertise in scientific standards and practices.

Cook is a Director of Allen Consulting. In his capacity as Deputy Secretary of the former Department of Education, Science and Training he was an ex-officio member of the ANSTO Board. Cook will bring an understanding of ANSTO’s operations to the review.

Ayres is the NSW Secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, and he will provide an industrial perspective on current health and safety practices at ANSTO Health.

“The department has provided a draft Terms of Reference which I will finalise in consultation with the panel,” added Senator Carr. “I have asked the panel to report to me by 31 May 2011.”

The panel will seek the advice of the independent nuclear regulator, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, to evaluate ANSTO’s compliance and current operations with respect to its facility licence.

ANSTO’s CEO, Dr Adi Paterson, said: “ANSTO welcomes the review and looks forward to providing whatever assistance is requested by the panel. ANSTO operates in a culture of continuous improvement and is fully committed to safe and compliant operations.”