Regulatory Action - Memorial University of Newfoundland

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.

2011

November 17, 2011

Update on regulatory action issued to Memorial University of Newfoundland

On November 17, 2011, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) confirmed that Memorial University of Newfoundland complied with all the terms and conditions of the order issued on September 29. The corrective measures implemented by Memorial University of Newfoundland were reviewed and found satisfactory by CNSC staff.

October 5, 2011

Order to Memorial University of Newfoundland

On October 5, 2011, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced that it had issued an order to the Memorial University of Newfoundland on September 29, 2011.

The university, based in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, currently holds a CNSC licence that authorizes the possession of nuclear substances used to conduct research in several scientific fields, including biology, chemistry and geology.

The CNSC issued this order further to an inspection it performed on September 27–29, 2011. This inspection was conducted to verify information provided to the CNSC on Memorial University's implementation of its radiation protection program. During the inspection, the CNSC found the licensee was not complying with requirements resulting from its internal management of the program.

The CNSC’s order requires the university to review the implementation of its radiation protection program and to correct causes of reoccurring non-compliance. The university must also incorporate corrective actions to the program, in order to ensure the health and safety of university staff, the public and the environment.

Read the order (PDF)

September 2, 2011

Update to regulatory request issued to Memorial University of Newfoundland

The CNSC has received a response from Memorial University of Newfoundland regarding the request for action pursuant to sub-section 12(2) of the General Nuclear Safety and Control Regulations issued on July 4, 2011.

CNSC staff finds the proposed plans and timelines for completion of requested actions acceptable, and considers Memorial University of Newfoundland’s response to the request satisfactory.

July 21, 2011

CNSC request to Memorial University of Newfoundland

On July 21, 2011, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced that a request had been issued under subsection 12(2) of the General Nuclear Safety and Control Regulations to Memorial University of Newfoundland, a university with a central campus based in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

Memorial University of Newfoundland is requested to conduct a complete and accurate inventory of all nuclear substances, laboratories and trained users, to perform inspections of all internal permits, and to provide a plan of corrective actions for the non-compliances identified during the CNSC inspection conducted at the university in June, 2011. The request was issued as a result of an inspection conducted at the university’s main campus located in St. John’s, Newfoundland on June 7 and 8, 2011, and the directives arising from the CNSC audit conducted in October 2009.

Read the CNSC’s letter to Memorial University. (PDF)