Certified Radiation Protection Officer (RPO)

About the Course

National legislation, together with the various international safety standards and requirements for radiation protection and the safety of radiation sources, require that employers, registrants, and licensees, in consultation with workers or through their representatives, designate, as appropriate, a Radiation Protection Officer (RPO) in accordance with criteria established by the regulatory body responsible for nuclear safety, source security, and radiation protection. 

The Certified Radiation Protection Officer (RPO) training course has been devised to assist employers, registrants, and licensees in their commitment to compliance with the relevant regulatory requirements. It comprehensively addresses the wide-ranging regulatory requirements for the role of RPO in industry, medicine, agriculture, education and research, security, and any other regulated facility or activity involving ionizing radiation. Emphasis is given to the importance of effective communication in recognising the RPO’s function as liaison between the regulatory body, the facility’s management, and its employees.

The functions and duties of an RPO are determined by the technical complexities of the workplace and the risks associated with the radiation environment. This training program takes account of all such variations and prepares delegates for their specific RPO roles, functions, and responsibilities in their workplaces. Delegates who demonstrate the knowledge and comprehension to apply the learning acquired will be duly certified competent to undertake the role of RPO in their respective places of employment.

Core Objectives

The delegates will achieve the following objectives:

• Know the applicable national legislation and requirements
• Understand the role and duties of an RPO concerning legislative requirements
• Gain a basic understanding of nuclear physics, atomic structure, radioactivity, and radiation sources, quantities, units, and biological effects of ionizing radiation
• Gain evaluative skills to apply learning to planned, emergency, and existing exposure situations
• Understand and apply general principles of radiation protection to facility design and operation, workplace, and individual monitoring
• Be competent to use radiation measurement and monitoring instruments properly
• Acquire communication, synthesis, and evaluative skills to contribute positively to safety culture at both worker and management levels and to act in liaison with officers of the regulatory body

Training Approach

This training course is presented face-to-face and will utilise various proven adult learning techniques to ensure maximum understanding, comprehension, and retention of the information presented, including presentations of videos, case studies, and discussions to enhance the learning process. Active participation is encouraged during the training program.

The delegates will be involved in the latest trends in seminar presentations. The classroom presentations are interactive practical exercises supported by audio-visual material and case studies. Delegates will be expected to participate actively.

The Attendees

Professionals working in radiation-related roles within regulated industries who have volunteered to take the role of RPO and have been designated by the employer to undertake the necessary training.

Professionals in regulated environments involving ionizing radiation typically include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Engineers
• First Responders
• HazMat Manager, Supervisor, and Officers
• HSE Manager, Supervisor, and Officers
• Radiographer, X-ray Operator, and Nurse
• Radiation Workers and Laboratory Personnel
• Scientists and Researchers
• Security Screening Staff
• Medical Professionals working in Radiation Facilities
• Staff working with radiation in educational facilities
• Laboratory Technicians working with Ionizing Radiation

Daily Discussion

DAY ONE: BASIC RADIATION PHYSICS, SOURCES, QUANTITIES, AND THE RPO

• Overview
• The Radiation Protection Officer (RPO)
• Basic Nuclear Physics
• Quantities and Units of Radiation
• Sources of Radiation Exposure
• Radiation Detection and Measuring Instruments

DAY TWO: BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF RADIATION AND THE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR SAFETY

• Biological Effects of Ionising Radiation Exposure
• The Principles of Radiation Protection
• Justification and Optimisation of Exposure
• Graded Approach to Risk
• National and International Framework and Regulatory Infrastructure for Safety 

DAY THREE: PLANNED EXPOSURE SITUATIONS, REGISTRATION, AND CONTROL OF SOURCES

• Planned Exposure Situations: Responsibilities of Licensees
• Planned Exposure Situations: Occupational Exposure
• Planned Exposure: Public Exposure
• Planned Exposure: Medical Exposure
• Categorisation, Registration, and Control of Radioactive Sources

DAY FOUR: EXISTING AND EMERGENCY EXPOSURE SITUATIONS AND TRANSPORT SAFETY

• Emergency Exposure Situations
• Preparedness and Response to a Radiation Emergency
• Controlling the Exposure of Emergency Workers
• Existing Exposure Situations
• Remediation of Areas with Residual Radioactive Material

DAY FIVE: OPERATIONAL RADIATION PROTECTION

• Safety and Security of the Transport of Radioactive Sources
• Operational Radiation Protection: Safety of Radioactive Sources
• Operational Radiation Protection: Security of Radioactive Sources
• Records of Dose and Other Safety-Related Information
• Safety and Security Culture