Day: August 11, 2025

The Hazardous Substances Regulatory Authority (HSRA) is intensifying its call for all facilities and professionals using ionising radiation to obtain official authorisation.

This is in keeping with national regulations and the push towards regulatory excellence in radiation safety.

Speaking at a JIS ‘Think Tank’ on Wednesday (April 16), Director General of the HSRA, Dr. Cliff Riley, emphasised that authorisation is not optional but a legal requirement under Jamaica’s regulatory framework.

“No individual or facility should be utilising any form of ionising radiation without being authorised by the HSRA,” said Dr. Riley.

“It doesn’t matter what guidance may be provided by professional bodies or what’s done in other jurisdictions. If you operate in Jamaica, you must be authorised,” he added.

Dr. Riley shared that while Jamaica has made notable progress, surpassing the 50 per cent mark in authorised facilities after just seven years of regulatory operations, the goal is to reach at least 87 per cent authorisation across all sectors by 2027.

This authorisation confirms that radiation-emitting devices are functioning correctly, safety systems are in place, and both operators and the public are protected, he noted.

Dr. Riley said that currently, authorisation levels are encouraging in some sectors, with nearly all public-sector facilities now authorised and brokers involved in the import and export of radiation sources showing compliance rates above 96 per cent.

He said that the medical diagnostic sector also reflects high adherence, with approximately 84 per cent of facilities authorised and industrial facilities following closely at around 83 per cent.

The Director General highlighted, however, that the numbers are significantly lower in the dental and veterinary sectors, with only 26 per cent and 25 per cent of facilities authorised, respectively.

In this regard, he emphasised the need for immediate attention in these areas to ensure the same level of protection and oversight afforded in other sectors.

“While these numbers show real progress, we have a little over 500 facilities utilising radiation sources in their operations, but only a little over half of them are authorised. Our primary push is to ensure that the level of compliance increases significantly, and at just 50 per cent authorisation, the HSRA will definitely be taking steps during the financial year to commence the prosecution of entities who outrightly disregard the law,” Dr. Riley said.

He also reminded stakeholders that only the HSRA has the legal mandate to grant exemptions, and any facility that believes it qualifies must apply for formal determination.

Even in a case where a facility believes it may be exempt, it must still apply to the HSRA for verification.

No other organisation or professional body has the legal authority to make that determination.

Those facilities using ionising radiation sources, whether for medical, industrial, dental, or veterinary purposes, who are not yet authorised are urged to contact the HSRA to begin the authorisation process or confirm their compliance status.

Persons who need information on how to apply for authorisation may send an email to info@hsra.org.jm.

“We have a team of technical officers who will come to your office and go through the application process. They will sensitise you and your team and walk you through the process. We take what we call a graded approach, so we do not need entities to have it perfect. We don’t expect that facilities will have all their ducks in a row. We will work with you from where you are to ensure that you can become compliant,” Dr. Riley said.

“At the end of the day, the primary responsibility is to ensure that you’re utilising your radiation source in such a manner that is safe for you, safe for your staff, safe for the environment, and safe for members of the public,” he added.

Source: JIS 

With a solid framework, deep technical expertise and forward-thinking vision, Jamaica has established itself as the regional leader in radiation safety and security.

The country is leading the way for Caribbean nations and earning international acclaim for its efforts in the peaceful application and regulation of ionising radiation.

Central to this progress is the Hazardous Substances Regulatory Authority (HSRA), an agency under the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce that is responsible for enforcing the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act (2015) and its supporting regulations.

Since its establishment, the HSRA has not only transformed Jamaica’s domestic radiation safety infrastructure but is now playing a pivotal role in helping to build regulatory capacity across the region.

“We are proud to say that Jamaica has the most advanced independent regulatory body for radiation safety in the Caribbean. We have set the pace for other nations that are now following our lead, and we’ve been instrumental in helping them get started,” said Director General, Dr. Cliff Riley, during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’.

In December 2024, St. Lucia achieved a significant milestone by launching its independent regulatory body for radiation safety, with substantial support from HSRA’s team of inspectors and trainers.

“The Jamaican authorities provided hands-on support, training St. Lucia’s new regulators in inspection protocols, authorisation processes and international safety standards,” Dr. Riley informed.

He added that this is just one of many collaborations establishing Jamaica as the cornerstone of radiation regulation and technical support in the Caribbean.

According to the Director General, the HSRA’s leadership is not only grounded in experience but also in cultural relevance.

“The regulatory models from developed countries don’t always translate well in Caribbean contexts, hence our cultural norms and dynamics must be factored into how safety protocols are communicated and applied. That’s why it’s important that regional expertise, like what we’ve developed here at the HSRA, is leveraged to build sustainable systems,” he added.

With oversight spanning critical sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, construction, mining, national security and border control, the HSRA ensures that any facility using radiation-emitting devices, whether a CT scanner, dental X-ray or industrial source, is compliant with rigorous safety and security protocols.

“While individual sectors may have highly trained professionals operating these technologies, you still need a neutral, expert regulatory body to ensure public safety,” Dr. Riley explained.

Consequently, he added, “our (HSRA) responsibility is to make sure all systems in use across the country are safe for operators, patients, the general public and future generations”.

Dr. Riley further emphasised that ionising radiation poses invisible risks, noting that, unlike other hazards, “it cannot be seen, tasted, felt or heard”.

“The effects may not manifest immediately, but can lead to long-term health issues, such as cancer or genetic mutations, underscoring the need for strict regulatory oversight,” he maintained.

Dr. Riley pointed out that the Authority’s work “is about the protection of people, the environment and of future generations”.

“That’s why we build deep technical capacity within our team and ensure Jamaica is not only compliant with international standards but contributing to shaping how those standards are applied regionally,” he stated.

Within just a few years, the HSRA has achieved significant milestones, with more than 50 per cent of Jamaican facilities utilising ionising radiation now authorized and sectors such as public health, medical diagnostics, and industrial applications demonstrating strong compliance.

As Jamaica strives to achieve at least 87 per cent authorisation by 2027, the Authority remains steadfast in ensuring that all facilities operate within the boundaries of the law.

“Jamaica’s leadership in this field is not just about policy; it’s about people. So, the HSRA is here to help to ensure that radiation technologies, which play a critical role in diagnosing disease, advancing infrastructure, and strengthening national security, are used safely and responsibly,” Dr. Riley informed.

He added that, “with Jamaica sharing its expertise across borders, lifting standards, building regional confidence, and helping to ensure that all Caribbean people benefit from the safe, secure, and peaceful use of radiation, there is hope for a bright future”.

Source: JIS

The safe use of radiation sources has become increasingly essential amid global advancements in medicine, energy, and technology.

At the forefront of Jamaica’s safety initiatives is the Hazardous Substances Regulatory Authority (HSRA). The agency has evolved from a fledgling entity into a beacon of regulatory excellence serving not just Jamaica but the wider Caribbean.

Central to this transformation are three simple yet powerful pillars: capacity, competence, and capability.

Senior Director for Radiation Safety, Tracey-Ann Elliott, tells JIS News that when the HSRA was initially established, the administration quickly recognised the need for strategic investments, not just in tools and systems, but also people.

“At the start of our operations, we recognised the importance of identifying critical or key individuals who were working in the technical areas, such as healthcare and academia. Having identified those people, we brought them into the Authority and we trained them to be regulators,” she explains.

Additionally, the Senior Director says, “We… acquired essential equipment and built robust management systems to ensure that all the moving parts of a regulatory body could operate in sync.”

Those decisions are now paying off, as the HSRA has grown into a cohesive, technically sound operation, staffed by experts and equipped with the tools to make significant impacts.

With a multidisciplinary team in place, Mrs. Elliott says the next step was training.

She points out that after identifying knowledge gaps in areas such as nuclear security, emergency preparedness, and inspection protocols, the HSRA made significant investments in developing specialised expertise.

“That investment has been so successful that, today, we have members of the HSRA team who are classified as international experts, working with our international partners to ensure that we build out a strong regulatory framework across the region,” Mrs. Elliott tells JIS News.

Beyond training and staffing, the HSRA has invested in infrastructure that has been working over the years.

This includes the development of standard operating procedures, regulatory guides, authorisation manuals and inspection checklists, all aligned with international best practices.

“The agency has also created a comprehensive national register, documenting more than 500 radiation users and maintaining occupational monitoring records for all radiation safety workers in authorised facilities,” Mrs. Elliott says.

She noted that, as a young entity in an environment unfamiliar with regulatory frameworks, the agency quickly recognised the importance of public engagement.

Consequently, the HSRA has trained Radiation Safety Officers across Jamaica to collaborate directly with Facility Managers, Nuclear Gauge Operators, and Waste Management Professionals.

The agency has also partnered with key national entities, including the Ministry of National Security, Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), and Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA), to ensure seamless collaboration on diverse initiatives, ranging from emergency preparedness to the safe transportation of radioactive materials.

“We have also worked extensively with the University of the West Indies (UWI), through the International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences (ICENS), to ensure the safe operation of the region’s only research reactor,” Mrs. Elliott says.

To ensure sustainability in the future, the HSRA has rolled out its radiation safety programmes in secondary schools and is now working to simplify the curriculum for primary-school students.

“We are now actively seeing how we can simplify the curriculum to engage our primary-school students because we recognise that the future nuclear scientists, radiation safety officers as well as the health physicists in Jamaica will come from this next generation that is moving into that space,” the Senior Director shares.

Mrs. Elliott points out that as the first independently established regulatory body in the English-speaking Caribbean, the HSRA is also spearheading the development of a postgraduate programme in radiation safety, to be funded by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and delivered through the UWI.

“The intent is to provide training opportunities for radiation safety officers who will also work in the interim regulatory bodies of the region,” she further informs.

“The HSRA led the creation of the Caribbean Radiation Safety and Security Network, a regional regulatory forum with its secretariat at the IAEA, which is responsible for the exchange of knowledge and supporting the work of the regulatory authorities and the interim regulatory authorities for the region,” the Senior Director says.

As the HSRA continues to break new ground, Mrs. Elliott notes that “when we think about where we are and where we go from here, we understand, at the HSRA, that we’re not just regulators; we’re educators, we’re innovators, we’re partners, and more than all, we are guardians of Jamaica’s future”.

As the country continues to adopt more advanced radiation technologies in healthcare, construction, security, and manufacturing, the Senior Director encourages citizens to be vigilant.

“We stand by this principle and, in so doing, we say to the citizens of Jamaica, when you enter a facility that is offering imaging services for example, we ask you to look for the HSRA certificate, ask about the safety protocols and the systems and if the facility is authorised,” she underscores.

Mrs. Elliott adds, “The intent is to ensure that you are protected and that there are various protocols in place to ensure that when you have completed your imaging activity, no future issues could possibly arise as a result of systems not being in place.”