1. Radiation Safety Training
Presented by
Geoff Mason
Training and Radiation Safety Manager
Oceaneering International Services

2. Radiation Safety Training
The training of radiographers and assistants in the practice of radiation safety, is fundamental in developing and establishing a culture of safe working practice, and compliance with National /Regulatory requirements. The training criteria used for the training of radiographers to produce radiographs and to evaluate the results is generally based around a well established training criteria that may be set by the certifying body.

3. Training
Most training for Radiographers around the world is based upon the criteria laid down in 2 specific documents
ISO : Non – Destructive Testing, Qualification and Certification of NDT Personnel
PCN (UK)
TUV (Europe)
ACCP (USA)
SNT – TC – 1A: The American Society of Non-Destructive Testing Employer based certification
Centralised Certification

4. UK Training
Within the UK, virtually all training for Radiation Safety will be carried out in accordance with the requirements of ISO-9712 (PCN), or a company based syllabus applicable to ASNT certification. Most training is carried out commercially by a NDT Training provider, or a specialist company offering Radiation Protection Services and training

5. Training
Oceaneeering is unique, in that in the UK it has its own fully accredited NDT Training School that caters for most of its needs. Staffed by full time experienced trainers, training is carried out in accordance with both ISO-9712 (PCN) and SNT-TC-1A (ASNT) Working closely with the RPA, the DGSA and the various regulators to ensure that all radiation safety training is as up to date as possible

6. Current Radiation Safety Training
Radiographic Assistant / Barrier Man
4 hours training
Trainee or Apprentice
1 day introduction to radiation Safety (prior to classification)
Level 1 Radiographer
16 hrs Basic Radiation Safety
Level 2 Radiographer
16 hours Basic Radiation Safety
Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS)
24 hours RPS Course

7. Radiographic Assistant
Radiographic Assistant / Barrier Man
4 hrs training
Introduction to Legislation / Local Rules
Dosimetry, Medicals
Radiation Monitors – Dose Rates
Controlled Areas
Exposure Equipment
Roles and Responsibilities
Emergencies

8. Trainee or Apprentice Trainee or Apprentice
1 days training on the basics of radiation safety
Legislation, RPS, RPA, Dosimetry, dose limitations
Site / Compound Radiography
Local Rules
Equipment, - sources, containers, collimators etc
Types of Radiation
Biological effects

9. RT Training
Both the ISO-9712 and the SNT-TC-1A schemes detail the minimum requirements in both the training syllabus and minimum training hours for radiography, but not for Radiation Safety. In the UK, we work to a syllabus that details the minimum requirements set by PCN for certification under ISO-9712, with guidance from the HSE (UK regulator) and PHE (UK radiation protection advisory authority)

10. UK Training
The PCN syllabus details the specific subjects and content to be included into a radiation safety training programme, along with minimum training hours for each subject matter.
There are two levels of training and certification
Basic Radiation Safety – (BRS)
Radiation Protection Supervisor – (RPS)

11. Basic Radiation Safety
Basic Radiation Safety – 16 hours minimum
BRS given on both level 1 and 2 training courses
Syllabus covers
Basic concepts of radiation
Types of Radiation, Ionisation
Production of X-Rays and Gamma Rays
Activity, Half Life
Sealed Source
Equipment
X-Ray Generators
Gamma Exposure containers

12. Basic Radiation Safety
Equipment con’t
Exposure Compounds
Collimation
Radiation Units and Dose Limitations
Activity (Bq)
Absorbed Dose, Dose Equivalent
Dose, and Dose Rate
Legislation
Ionising Radiations Regs ALARP
Approved Code of Practice
Controlled Areas
Transport
Storage of Radioactive Materials

13. Basic Radiation Safety
Biological Effects
Cellular Damage
Acute and Chronic effects
Principles of Protection
Time, Distance, Shielding, Source Output
Half and Tenth Value Thickness
Safety and Warning systems
Inter-lock systems
Calculations
Shielding
Distance
Safe Barrier Distance for barriers

14. Basic Radiation Safety
Personal Dosimetry
TLD’s, Monitors, ALARP
Dose record keeping
Medical Surveillance
Investigation levels
Specific Requirements
Source Accountancy
RPA
RPS
Local Rules and Contingency Plans
Emergency Equipment

15. Radiation Protection Supervisors
Within the UK Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999, there is a requirement for the employer to appoint Radiation Protection Supervisors (RPS’s), and to ensure that all radiographic work is carried out under the supervision of an RPS.
Oceaneering operates 2 schemes
Its own in house certification for RPS’s
Accredited by The British Institute of NDT & PCN
PCN certification scheme

16. Radiation Protection Supervisors
Both schemes are accepted by industry, however, the PCN scheme does not cover the requirements of Practical Source Recovery, equipment checks, or require the candidate to demonstrate competence in practical source recovery. The Oceaneering RPS training follows the same syllabus as PCN, but does require the trainee to demonstrate a knowledge of practical source recovery, and in addition, the trainee is required to develop a step by step recovery plan.

17. Radiation Protection Supervisor
Radiation Protection Supervisor – 24 hrs minimum
Available to PCN level 1, 2 and 3 radiographers
Oceaneering only gives this training to level 2 and 3 radiographers with sufficient experience (approx 1yr as level 2)
The PCN Syllabus Covers
Review of Basic Radiation Safety requirements
Legislative Structure
IRR 199
Transport Regulations
HASS and Orphan Source Regulation

18. Radiation Protection Supervisor
Biological Effects
Stochastic
Genetic
Deterministic
Dose Limitations
Regulatory requirements
Company Investigation levels
The Control of Work with Radiation
Notification
Prior Risk Assessment
Controlled and Supervised Areas

19. Radiation Protection Supervisor
Transporting Radioactive Materials
UN Numbers
ADR, IATA
Responsibilities and Documentation
Packaging Types
Calculations
Stay time
Inverse Square Law and Shielding (HVT / TVT)
Emergency Procedures
Contingency Planning
National Arrangements
Emergency Equipment

20. Radiation Protection Supervisor
Additional Training given by Oceaneering as this is not covered by PCN
Practical Source Recovery
Detached and Jammed sources
Training given on all types of source containers currently in use
Development of a recovery plan, stay time calculations
Dose Assessments
Equipment checks
Risk Assesment

21. Practical Source Recovery
Make the source safe if possible – attenuation
Monitor barriers
Leave Controlled Area and assess the situation
Identify the problem
Review appropriate Contingency Plan
Gather Emergency Equipment
Liaise with other members of recovery team and brief them on their roles
Calculate stay time
Recover source in accordance with Contingency Plan

23. Additional Training
Not all radiographic training is carried out to the requirements of ISO-9712 / PCN. When training to SNT-TC-1A (ASNT), the same radiation safety training syllabus as prescribed by PCN is used, as this is accepted by the UK regulators. Level 1 Radiography - 16 hrs Basic Radiation Safety Level 2 Radiography - 16 hrs Basic Radiation Safety

24. Additional Training
It is essential that Managers and Supervisors are aware of their responsibilities when managing radiographic operations, Oceaneering have developed a 2 day training programme called ‘Managing the Radiation Risk’ All UK managers and supervisors have attended this programme, and it is now being introduced to various overseas locations (Each course overseas will reflect that country or regions regulatory requirements)

25. Managing the Radiation Risk
Course content
Basic Radiation Safety (Legislation and Best Practice)
Specific National Legislation
Prior Notification / Risk Assessment
Transporting Radioactive Material
Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources
Site Safety Audits/Compliance Audits
Incident Management

26. Overseas Training
Similar training is given to radiographers completing level 1 and 2 RT courses, and the RPS course.
Country / National requirements will be introduced where possible, so as to ensure that local regulations are covered and understood
If the country or location does not have its own regulations or specified safety syllabus we will default to the UK syllabus.