Regulatory Action – Vale Newfoundland and Labrador Limited

Under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act and associated regulations, various levels of regulatory action can be taken by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to protect the health, safety and security of Canadians and the environment.

2019

October 3, 2019

Update on regulatory action issued to Vale Newfoundland & Labrador Limited

On October 3, 2019, the CNSC confirmed that Vale Newfoundland & Labrador Limited has complied with all the terms and conditions of the order issued on June 18, 2019. CNSC staff reviewed the corrective measures implemented by the company and found these measures to be satisfactory.

June 24, 2019

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has issued an order to Vale Newfoundland and Labrador Limited, a company based in St. John's, Newfoundland. The company holds a CNSC licence authorizing the possession, transfer, import, use and storage of fixed nuclear gauges that contain nuclear substances for the purpose of controlling industrial processes.

The order was issued on June 18, 2019, following a CNSC inspection at the licensee's facility located in Long Harbour, Newfoundland. The inspection identified that the company was not complying with a licence condition with respect to procedures for entering vessels fitted with radiation devices. The inspection also identified instances of non-compliance related to worker training and the ascertainment of doses to workers entering vessels fitted with radiation devices.

The order requires the licensee to immediately cease worker entry into any vessels fitted with radiation devices until the following actions have been fulfilled to the written satisfaction of the CNSC:

• appropriate training is developed for workers entering vessels fitted with radiation devices
• a system is in place to ensure that all workers entering such vessels have received the required training
• documentation related to vessel entry meets licence conditions

The CNSC requires these measures in order to protect the health and safety of workers, the public and the environment.

• Read the order (PDF)