Implement Radiation Protection Measures Training

Objectives:
• Define ionising radiation and its sources.
• Explain the biological effects of radiation exposure.
• Describe the principles of radiation protection (justification, optimisation, limitation).
• Identify relevant South African legislation and regulatory bodies.
• Recognise the responsibilities of the radiation protection officer.

Topics:
• Introduction to ionising radiation: types, sources, and properties.
• Biological effects of radiation: deterministic and stochastic effects.
• The ALARA principle: time, distance, shielding.
• Overview of the South African Nuclear Energy Act, 1999 (Act No. 46 of 1999) and regulations.
• Role of the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) and the Department of Health.
• Responsibilities of employers, employees, and radiation protection officers.
• Introduction to the unit standard 119496 and its outcomes.
• Case study: historical radiation accidents and lessons learned.

Objectives:
• Explain the operation of common radiation detection instruments.
• Demonstrate how to calibrate and use survey meters.
• Interpret dose rate readings and identify alarm thresholds.
• Perform area surveys and contamination monitoring.
• Record and report measurement results accurately.

Topics:
• Types of radiation detectors: Geiger-Müller counters, scintillation detectors, ionisation chambers.
• Principles of operation and selection criteria for different applications.
• Calibration procedures and quality control checks.
• Personal dosimetry: TLDs, OSLDs, and electronic dosimeters.
• Conducting area surveys: grid patterns, background measurements.
• Contamination monitoring: smear tests and direct measurement.
• Reading and interpreting dose rates and cumulative doses.
• Documentation: logbooks, survey reports, and dose records.

Objectives:
• Apply time, distance, and shielding to minimise exposure.
• Design temporary shielding for common sources.
• Establish controlled and supervised areas.
• Implement safe work procedures for radiography and industrial gauges.
• Respond to alarm conditions and abnormal readings.

Topics:
• Practical application of ALARA: reducing exposure time, increasing distance, using shielding.
• Shielding materials: lead, concrete, water; half-value layer calculations.
• Classification of areas: controlled, supervised, and public zones.
• Signage, barriers, and access control.
• Safe handling and storage of radioactive sources.
• Work permits and radiation work instructions.
• Emergency response: alarm investigation, source recovery, and decontamination.
• Practical exercise: designing a shielding configuration for a given source.

Objectives:
• Interpret license conditions and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain required records and logbooks.
• Prepare for regulatory inspections.
• Understand the process for reporting incidents and overexposures.
• Conduct internal audits of radiation protection measures.

Topics:
• NNR licensing requirements: applications, renewals, and conditions.
• Record keeping: source inventory, dose records, training records.
• Incident reporting: types of incidents, timelines, and forms.
• Overexposure investigation and medical follow-up procedures.
• Preparing for a regulatory inspection: documentation, interviews, and facility walkthrough.
• Internal audit checklists and corrective actions.
• Case study: reviewing a mock inspection report.
• Practical exercise: completing an incident report form.

Objectives:
• Perform pre-work risk assessments for radiation tasks.
• Execute a controlled area entry and exit procedure.
• Conduct a contamination survey and decontamination.
• Package and transport radioactive materials safely.
• Demonstrate correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Topics:
• Risk assessment methodology: hazard identification, dose estimation, and control measures.
• Controlled area entry: authorisation, dosimetry, and briefing.
• Exit procedures: monitoring, decontamination, and record update.
• Contamination control: containment, spill kits, and decontamination agents.
• Packaging for transport: UN-approved containers, labelling, and documentation.
• PPE selection and use: gloves, respirators, protective clothing.
• Practical exercise: simulated controlled area entry and exit.
• Practical exercise: packaging a source for transport.

Objectives:
• Identify potential radiation emergencies and their consequences.
• Execute an emergency plan for lost or damaged sources.
• Perform initial response actions including cordoning and notification.
• Use emergency equipment correctly.
• Participate in a tabletop exercise simulating a radiation incident.

Topics:
• Types of radiation emergencies: lost source, fire, theft, accidental exposure.
• Emergency planning: roles, communication, and resources.
• Initial response: securing the area, minimising exposure, and notifying authorities.
• Use of emergency equipment: survey meters, dosimeters, decontamination kits.
• Evacuation procedures and assembly points.
• Medical management of radiation injuries.
• Tabletop exercise: scenario-based response planning.
• Debrief and lessons learned from the exercise.

Objectives:
• Consolidate all learning from the course.
• Demonstrate competence through practical and theoretical assessments.
• Develop a personal action plan for implementing radiation protection.
• Review and discuss case studies of best practices.
• Receive feedback and certification.

Topics:
• Review of key concepts from Days 1-6.
• Practical assessment: performing a radiation survey and interpreting results.
• Practical assessment: demonstrating emergency response actions.
• Written assessment: multiple-choice and short-answer questions.
• Case study presentations by participants.
• Developing a radiation protection implementation plan for own workplace.
• Course evaluation and feedback session.
• Issuance of certificates of competence.