Organization and Implementation of a National Regulatory Program for the Control of Radiation Sources Technical Services

Slide 2 Organization and Implementation of a National Regulatory Program for the Control of Radiation Sources Module 3-15 To identify the technical services needed within (or accessible to) the infrastructure for an effective implementation of regulatory program Objective

Slide 3 Organization and Implementation of a National Regulatory Program for the Control of Radiation Sources Module 3-15 Dosimetry services; Analytical services; Calibration services; Radioactive waste management services; Training services; Accreditation for services. Contents

Slide 4 Organization and Implementation of a National Regulatory Program for the Control of Radiation Sources Module 3-15 Essential technical services should be available: to authorized radiation users to the Regulatory Authority Technical Services within the State; or through arrangements from outside the State.

Slide 5 Organization and Implementation of a National Regulatory Program for the Control of Radiation Sources Module 3-15 Assessment of external and internal doses The accuracy and reliability of dosimetry service providers should be verified:- Dosimetry Services by the Regulatory Authority; or by an acceptable third-party organization (accreditation) Only those dosimetry service providers recognized by the Regulatory Authority should be authorized to provide services in the country.

Slide 6 Organization and Implementation of a National Regulatory Program for the Control of Radiation Sources Module 3-15 exercise control over individual dose; Dosimetry Services (cont) Assessment of external and internal doses The purpose of monitoring is to:- identify abnormally high doses; identify changes in working conditions; identify poor working practices; provide legal evidence; provide security and confidence in safety procedures.

Slide 7 Organization and Implementation of a National Regulatory Program for the Control of Radiation Sources Module 3-15 Employers must:- make adequate arrangements with a recognized dosimetry service provider; Dosimetry Services (cont) ensure that workers in controlled areas are individually monitored; undertake an assessment of intake or committed dose if exposure to contamination is possible.

Slide 8 Organization and Implementation of a National Regulatory Program for the Control of Radiation Sources Module 3-15 Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) γ, X and β radiation Optically Stimulated Luminescent dosimeters (OSL) γ, X and β radiation Film dosimeters γ, X and β radiation Neutron dosimeters neutron radiation only Assessment of Doses from External Radiation

Slide 9 Organization and Implementation of a National Regulatory Program for the Control of Radiation Sources Module 3-15 Personal air sampler airborne radioactive dust Whole body monitor gamma emitting radioisotopes Thyroid monitoring iodine radioisotopes Urine sampling - tritium Excreta sampling - actinides Assessment of Doses from Internal Radiation

Slide 10 Organization and Implementation of a National Regulatory Program for the Control of Radiation Sources Module 3-15 The assessment of radiation dose by counting the number of damaged chromosomes in blood cells:- is used only in high exposure situations provides conclusive results only where the dose is greater than 200 mSv Chromosome Aberration Analysis

Slide 11 Organization and Implementation of a National Regulatory Program for the Control of Radiation Sources Module 3-15 Employers and licensees shall:- maintain exposure records for each monitored worker; Personal Dosimetry - Records maintain records until the worker is aged 75, or at least until 30 years after finishing work; keep records confidential and secure; provide access to records by:- –workers (their own records); –the relevant employer –Regulatory Authority –health surveillance professionals

Slide 12 Organization and Implementation of a National Regulatory Program for the Control of Radiation Sources Module 3-15 Analytical services should be able to provide a qualitative and quantitative analysis capability for radiation measurements:- Analytical Services commensurate with the radiation safety needs of the country; and recognized by the Regulatory Authority (possibly with external accreditation)

Slide 13 Organization and Implementation of a National Regulatory Program for the Control of Radiation Sources Module 3-15 leak testing; identification of radionuclides; assessment of activity/activity concentration; testing of products/sources against national and international standards. Analytical Services (cont) Analytical services should be able to provide a qualitative and quantitative analysis capability for radiation measurements, including:-

Slide 14 Organization and Implementation of a National Regulatory Program for the Control of Radiation Sources Module 3-15 Calibration Services Calibration services should:- Service providers should use the same criteria and similar protocols. use standards traceable to recognized national and international standards (ISO, IEC, IAEA); be recognized by the Regulatory Authority (possibly with external accreditation).

Slide 15 Organization and Implementation of a National Regulatory Program for the Control of Radiation Sources Module 3-15 Radiation surveys / measurements are performed to:- verify safe working conditions; Calibration Services (cont) confirm that sources are appropriately shielded; check that area classifications are satisfactory; maintain control of contamination; satisfy regulatory requirements. Radiation monitors must be calibrated regularly.

Slide 16 Organization and Implementation of a National Regulatory Program for the Control of Radiation Sources Module 3-15 Types of instruments dose and/or dose rate; surface contamination; airborne contamination; medical QA equipment. Use of Survey Instruments Calibration and testing pre-use; at suitable (or prescribed) intervals; record of results of test; performed by qualified person.

Slide 17 Organization and Implementation of a National Regulatory Program for the Control of Radiation Sources Module 3-15 Radioactive waste management facilities Long term storage and/or disposal; Within the State or available through arrangements outside the State. Waste Management

Slide 18 Organization and Implementation of a National Regulatory Program for the Control of Radiation Sources Module 3-15 in accordance with BSS and Regulatory Authority requirements based on health surveillance programs. Health Surveillance of Workers Medical supervision intended to ensure the initial and continuous fitness of workers for their intended task.

Slide 19 Organization and Implementation of a National Regulatory Program for the Control of Radiation Sources Module 3-15 Training services for radiation users:- must satisfy the needs described in the users’ radiation protection program; and Training Services may need to be recognized by the Regulatory Authority (possibly with external accreditation).

Slide 20 Organization and Implementation of a National Regulatory Program for the Control of Radiation Sources Module 3-15 Need to provide different levels of training. e.g. –users, technicians; –Radiation Protection Officers; –qualified experts; –line managers, employers. Formal qualifications may be required. Training Services (cont)

Slide 21 Organization and Implementation of a National Regulatory Program for the Control of Radiation Sources Module 3-15 to support investigations by Regulatory Authority staff, and to advise users of radiation. Expert Assistance Expert assistance may be required:-

Slide 22 Organization and Implementation of a National Regulatory Program for the Control of Radiation Sources Module 3-15 Consultants should be effectively independent of the operator. Expert Assistance (cont) shall not relieve the Regulatory Authority of any of its responsibilities. The Regulatory Authority’s responsibility for making decisions and recommendations shall not be delegated

Slide 23 Organization and Implementation of a National Regulatory Program for the Control of Radiation Sources Module 3-15 Advisory bodies:- may be formally created by Government or by the Regulatory Authority; Expert Assistance (cont) are established either on a temporary or permanent basis to give independent expert opinion or advice (e.g on technical or ethical issues). The Regulatory Authority’s responsibility for making decisions and recommendations shall not be delegated

Slide 24 Organization and Implementation of a National Regulatory Program for the Control of Radiation Sources Module 3-15 IAEA, Occupational Radiation Protection, Safety Standards Series RS-G-1.1, Vienna (1999). IAEA, Assessment of Occupational Exposure Due to Intakes of Radionuclides, Safety Standards Series RS-G-1.2, Vienna (1999). IAEA, Assessment of Occupational Exposure Due to External Sources of Radiation, Safety Standards Series RS-G-1.3, Vienna (1999). IAEA, Calibration of Radiation Monitoring Instruments, Basic Safety Series No. 16, Vienna (2000). IAEA, Establishing a National System for Radioactive Waste Management, Safety Series No. 111-S-1, Vienna (1995). References

Slide 25 Organization and Implementation of a National Regulatory Program for the Control of Radiation Sources Module 3-15 A new radiation therapy facility is starting the operation. What type of technical services should be in place to effectively implement the radiation safety program ? What services may be required by the Regulatory Authority during the review and assessment of the application for authorization ? Exercise