Overview
The NDT RSO Refresher Course is aimed at helping experienced and licensed RT2 (or RT3) technicians who are stepping up to the role of Radiation Safety Officer for their enterprise. It provides an opportunity to refresh radiation protection and safety knowledge prior to transitioning to the role.
Description
This course starts with refreshing the basics of radiation: what it is, its sources and types, how it affects the body, and how we measure radiation exposure and personal doses.
Then, we'll focus on how we can keep radiation doses within limits and as low as reasonably achievable. As Industrial Radiography use intense X-ray and gamma sources, understanding these sources better will help them be used safely. We'll cover their origin / generation, behaviour and how they interact with matter. This fundamental knowledge is extended through the application of radiation protection strategies of time, distance, and shielding to allow radiation doses to be kept within the dose limits. The role of the RSO in minimising dose in both routine and emergency situations is reinforced.
Measuring radiation exposure: You'll refresh about workplace / area and personal monitoring devices and their correct use, including in performing functional checks, in their use during radiographic inspection work and in emergency situations.
Finally, the course covers three important codes: the Industrial Radiography Code*, the Transport Code*, and the Security Code*. These codes apply to radiographic testing conducted in fully enclosed, partially enclosed and at open sites. We'll break down their key requirements in a clear and practical way, ensuring you can confidently follow them on the job (and as an RSO, you can confidently observe others adherence to their requirements).
Competency on the job: As an experienced RT2 (or RT3) technician you will have had hands-on application conducting industrial radiography. However, sometimes you may have mainly performed radiographic testing in a partial enclosure and require reminding about open site, for example. Also, sometimes bad habits can creep in over time. The competency checklist provides an opportunity for you to confirm application of course material on the job.
This competency checklist is only available to persons enrolled on a Radiation Training course.
*abbreviated references to these Codes.
Learning Outcomes
Describe the fundamentals of radiation and radiation exposure.
- Define radiation and its properties.
- Identify the different types of radiation and their interaction with matter.
- Describe the units of radiation measurement.
- Describe the biological effects of ionising radiation on the human body.
- Identify the various routes of radiation exposure.
- Define dose and dose limits for occupational exposure.
Apply radiation safety principles:
- Explain the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle in radiation protection.
- Describe the application of justification, optimisation and limitation in radiation work.
- Describe the three strategies of radiation protection (time, distance, shielding).
- Apply concepts of half-life and half-value layer to industrial radiography scenarios.
Implement safe work practices, considering the Industrial Radiography, Transport and Security Codes:
- Identify the regulatory requirements impacting on industrial radiography.
- Explain the roles and responsibilities of personnel involved in radiography operations.
- Describe the proper use of radiation monitoring devices, both personal and area (including calibration and function checks).
- Apply the requirements of the Industrial Radiography Code to fully enclosed, partially enclosed and open site locations.
- Discuss the procedures for safe and secure handling, storage, and transport of radioactive sources under the Transport Code and Security Code.
Recognise and respond to emergencies:
- Identify potential emergencies involving radiation sources.
- Describe the role of the Radiation Safety Officer in the remediation of a radiation emergency.
Maintain radiation safety records:
- Identify records of interest for a radiation safety officer to review and check suitability of storage and access.
- Describe the responsibilities and requirements for maintaining records of personal monitoring.
- Complete a radiation source movement log.
- Discuss the requirements for reporting, investigating and documenting radiation incidents.
Monitor organisational performance against the radiation management plan:
- Confirm radiation source inventory against that on record with the Regulator and listed in the radiation management plan.
- Check radiation monitors for suitability, sufficient numbers, and calibration.
- Compare premises including storage conditions against requirements of the radiation management plan and legislative standards.
- Observe and provide feedback on radiation worker application of procedures designed to minimise dose.
- Monitor reports of the results of personal monitoring to identify any unexpected dose levels.
- Identify on-going training requirements, especially in emergency remediation.
Assessment
There is continuous assessment throughout the course. Within a module are quizzes to check content is understood prior to moving on to the next topic. At the conclusion of each module is a short randomised multiple-choice test.The pass mark of assessments is 70%.
While you work through quizzes and tests you are remotely proctored using your webcam under normal test conditions.
Each jurisdiction may have its own additional requirements for assessment of suitability of a person to be an RSO. This could include sitting a face-to-face examination or completion of a regulator's online module on the RSO's role.