TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF INDUSTRIAL RADIOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES

OBJECTIVES FOR THIS PRESENTATION  To learn how radiographer assistants are trained  To learn how radiographers are trained  To learn the requirements for a person to be a Radiation Safety Officer on a License  To learn the requirements of refresher training

A radiographer’s assistant is a person who uses radiography equipment while under the direct supervision of a radiographer

REQUIREMENTS TO BE A RADIOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT  Must receive copies of the requirements in the regulations that govern radiography, and the licensee’s operating and emergency procedures  Has demonstrated understanding in the above requirements by taking a written exam

REQUIREMENTS TO BE A RADIOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT  Has developed the ability to use radiography equipment and radiation detection instruments, while under the direct supervision of a radiographer  Has demonstrated the abilities to safely use radiography equipment by successful completion of a practical examination (hands-on training)

After completion of these requirements, the radiographer’s assistant may perform radiography IF : The radiographer is physically present at the work location where the assistant is working, and The radiographer directly observes the assistant while the assistant performs radiography

Both the radiographer and radiographer’s assistant are required to wear an alarming rate-meter, pocket ion chamber, and a radiation monitoring badge (TLD, OSL) while performing radiography

Questions on the training for a radiographer’s assistant ?

REQUIREMENTS TO BE A RADIOGRAPHER  Has performed those requirements to become a radiographer’s assistant: Demonstrated the knowledge of the regulations and operating and emergency procedures by passing an exam Demonstrated the ability to use radiography equipment by passing a practical (hands-on) exam

REQUIREMENTS TO BE A RADIOGRAPHER Has to have received training in the following: Radiation safety (time, distance, shielding) Radiation detection instruments Operation and maintenance of radiographic equipment The requirements in Federal regulations for radiography Case histories of accidents in radiography

REQUIREMENTS TO BE A RADIOGRAPHER Required to have a minimum of 2 months of on-the- job training Has to be certified through a radiographer certification program (provides certification by providing written exams for radiographers on subjects in previous slide)

Questions on the training for a radiographer ?

REQUIREMENTS TO BE A RADIATION SAFETY OFFICER ON A LICENSE A Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) is the person responsible for radiation safety at each radiography company Has to be a certified radiographer Has to have 2,000 hours of hands-on experience as a certified radiographer Has to have attended a training course for RSO’s that teaches the establishment of a radiation safety program

BOTH RADIOGRAPHERS AND ASSISTANTS REQUIRE ADDITIONAL TRAINING AS FOLLOWS: Licensees are required to provide annual refresher safety training every 12 months The Radiation Safety Officer is required to observe the performance of radiographic operations by each radiographer and assistant every 6 months

IN SUMMARY  The United States has a prescriptive method for ensuring the proper training of radiographers, radiographer’s assistants, and a company’s Radiation Safety Officer  Challenges remain, however, for ensuring the safety of radiographers and assistants, such as:  Working conditions (weather, noise, fatigue)  Pressure to perform work quickly  Minimal management supervision of radiography in the field  What are your thoughts on these issues ????