IAEAInternational Atomic Energy Agency

Radiation Safety for Industrial RadiographyInput for Recommendations

Report by Richard van Sonsbeek

Results from breakout session 26 June 2014

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Review of Training Packages and Training Initiatives that were prepared and performed by IAEA in the past

• IAEA did various efforts in the ‘90s and early 00’s with respect to training on radiation safety in industrial radiography

• What can we learn from these efforts?• Regional Training provided by IAEA• Train the Trainer sessions• Review of Training Packages

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Aim for an international standard or guidelines on Radiation Safety Training in IR /1

• An international standard would make it easier to have a mutual recognition of radiation safety training between countries

• Countries could add “training according to standard” as criterion for recognition in their regulations

• It would set an internationally recognized level of minimum required competence in Radiation Safety for Industrial Radiography

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Aim for an international standard or guidelines on Radiation Safety Training in IR /2

• Agree definitions and roles and responsibilities and required level of competence of various actors• RT technicians• RT assistants• RPOs• RT helpers• Clients / Contractors• Regulatory Inspectors• …

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Aim for an international standard or guidelines on Radiation Safety Training in IR /3

• Investigate integration or link with existing standards and guidelines on training, qualification and certification for NDT methods and techniques• ISO 9712• SNT-TC-1A • IAEA TECDOC-628 (currently being revised)• IAEA Training Course Series 34• …

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Training syllabi and material

• Prepare syllabi for various actors• Prepare training material for various actors

• Animated and narrated videos• For example like the ones created by the Chemical

Safety Board of the USA (http://www.csb.gov/videos/)

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Training aimed at Regulatory Inspectors

• Training package for Inspectors of Regulatory Authorities

• Exchange program between regulatory body• Internship at companies abroad

• Avoid conflict of interest• Learn about RT technique but in particular about

the challenges faced by the RT technicians at the frontline of operations

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Training should support the development of a Reliable Safety Culture in companies and industry

• Speaking up if Industrial Radiography cannot proceed safely

• Reporting of incidents (near misses, accidents ) and deviations; near misses and accidents

• Importance of accurate incident reports

• Whistleblower system? Model of a “High Reliable Safety Culture Based on work from James Reason and Patrick Hudson, reference to be included

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How to proceed and keep the ball rolling?

• Install a working group of consultants representing various stakeholders (industry, regulators, clients, training institutes, equipment manufacturers, …) to further investigate and prepare a project plan/charter for submittal for approval for the next “budget cycle” of the IAEA

• Make use of the ISEMIR – WGIR project

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Radiation Safety Training should be put in a wider perspective• Radiation is not the only

safety challenge faced by radiographers• Participating in traffic is most

probably still a more hazardous activity

• The challenges may vary widely between countries

• Every radiation incident is one too many

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Thank you!