NDT RSO Refresher - QLD

This course starts with a refresher on the relevant measures used in radiation protection: specific activity, specific gamma ray constant, calculation of half-life, radiation dose units.

Then, we'll focus on how we can keep radiation doses within limits and as low as reasonably achievable.  As Industrial Radiographers use intense X-ray and gamma sources, understanding these sources better will help you use them safely. We'll cover the radiation protection strategies of time, distance, and shielding, including using half value and tenth value layer values in shielding calculations. This will allow you to keep radiation doses within the dose limits in routine and emergency situations.

Measuring radiation exposure: You'll learn about workplace / area and personal monitoring devices and their correct use, including the conduct of functional checks before starting any radiographic inspection work.

The Industrial Radiography Code*, the Security Code* and the Transport 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.

Finally, the radiation safety responsibilities: While an overview of responsibilities is provided, more detail is covered for the user, the industrial radiography assistant and the RSO.

Competency on the job: Under ISO 9712, technicians working towards holding RT-2 Certification must complete a compulsory period of logged work experience. Regulatory authorities also require evidence of practical experience. To help with this, Radiation Training provides all participants with a skills competency checklist to demonstrate application of knowledge attained from the course.

This competency checklist is only available to persons enrolled on a Radiation Training course.

*abbreviated references to these Codes.

Describe the fundamentals of radiation and radiation exposure:

• Describe the units of radiation measurement.
• Describe specific activity and specific gamma ray constant and their relevance and use in industrial radiography.
• 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 and Security Codes.

Recognise and respond to emergencies:

• Identify potential emergencies involving radiation sources.
• Explain the steps to take in the remediation of a radiation emergency.

Maintain radiation safety records:

• 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.

• Discuss the requirements for reporting, investigating and documenting radiation incidents.

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.