Management of Work with Radiation and Radioactive Materials in the Oil and Gas and Related Industries

Course Description

Introduction

lonising radiation sources, including radioactive materials and radiation generators are widely used or encountered in the oil, gas and chemical industries. Examples include industrial radiography, nucleonic gauging systems, well logging equipment, process diagnostics, radiotracer studies and naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM).

If radioactive materials and radiation generators are not properly controlled, this can lead to increased risks associated with exposure to ionising radiation as well as damage to the environment.

The use of radioactive materials and work with ionising radiations is therefore subject to strict controls under various articles of health and safety, environmental and transportation legislation, including the following:

• the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999;
• the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 and associated Exemption Orders
• the High Activity Sealed Sources and Orphan Sources Regulations 2005
• the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2001
• the Reporting of Incidents Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
• The Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road Regulations 2009, the IMDG Code, ICAO Technical nstructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air.

The legislation includes requirements for Notification of the work with ionising radiation to be carried out and requirements to obtain licences (Certificates of Registration and Authorisation) permitting certain activities involving radioactive materials and wastes to be carried out. In addition, duties are placed on employers to ensure adequate restriction of exposure of their employees and others to ionising radiation and to have in place suitable management arrangements to ensure compliance with the legislation and licence conditions.

It is essential therefore that managers in organisations that work with radioactive materials or radiation generators or that employ contractors who carry out work with ionising radiations, are aware of the key requirements of the legislation in order to ensure that they can achieve compliance.

Aims

The principle aims of this course are to:

• Provide delegates with an understanding of the key requirements of the legislation applicable to work with ionising radiations and radioactive materials;
• Provide delegates with an awareness of the hazards associated with the different types of sources of ionising radiation that may be encountered in the working environment, including those used by third party contractors, and
• Help promote correct attitudes with regard to radiation safety in persons with management responsibilities.

Learning objectives

On completion of the course the participants should:

• Be familiar with the legislation applicable to work with ionising radiations and radioactive materials and understand the management responsibilities identified in the legislation and associated licences;
• Be aware of the risks to health from exposure to ionising radiation and understand the system of dose limitation; and
• Know where to obtain further advice if necessary.

Who is this course aimed at?

The course is aimed at persons with management responsibilities within companies using radioactive materials and radiation generators or managers responsible for sites where work with ionising radiation is carried out by third party contractors. The course is therefore suitable for, but not limited to, the following:

• Site Managers
• Offshore Installation Managers
• Health, Safety and Environment Managers
• Compliance Managers
• Other persons with related management responsibilities

No previous knowledge is required. It should be noted that this course is not a substitute for Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS) or RPS Refresher training.

Duration

This is a one-day classroom based course. The syllabus is taught using presentations and syndicate exercises.

Assessment

The course is not assessed.