Radiation Training Online

Radiation protection supervisors (RPSs) have a crucial role to play in helping ensure compliance with the arrangements made by the employer for working with ionising radiation. 

Employers (based in England, Scotland and Wales) must appoint one, or more, suitable RPSs under the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17) in respect of any work carried out in any area that they have made subject to local rules.

For a person to be suitable to act as a RPS, they should:

1. know and understand the requirements of IRR17 and the local rules relevant to the work with ionising radiation;
2. command sufficient authority from the people doing the work to allow them to supervise the radiation protection aspects of the work;
3. understand the necessary precautions to be taken and the extent to which they will restrict exposures;
4. be given sufficient time and resources to carry out their functions; and
5. know what to do in an emergency.

RPSs require appropriate training, refreshed at appropriate intervals, to carry out the task adequately. 

This training course has been developed taking into account the recommendations from the British Veterinary Association (BVA)'s guidance notes for the safe use of ionising radiations in veterinary practice. 

A course handout is provided and this contains all of the slides used in the training package. 

This course covers:

1. The nature of ionising radiation and its interaction with tissue including:

• The nature of any harmful effects;
• The principle of restricting exposure to ionising radiation so far as is reasonably practicable; and
• The concept of external radiation exposure.

2. The quantities used for measuring ionising radiation, including the units of measurement.

3. Relevant radiation measurement techniques.

4. Basic legal requirements:

• The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17) and Approved Code of Practice (L121);
• Local rules, their purpose and how to use them to secure compliance with the Regulations;
• Risk assessments;
• Provisions specific to women and young people;
• Designation of people and areas; and
• Appreciation of relevant general health and safety legislation.

5. The basic principles of practical radiation protection:

• Time;
• Distance;
• Shielding;
• Source strength;

and how those principles are carried through to veterinary working arrangements.

6. In-house knowledge that should be acquired by the RPS to be suitable to perform their role

7. Practical procedures to be followed in the event of an accident, incident, emergency or other unwanted occurrence, including procedures for reporting adverse incidents.

Every delegate will be given access to the course material for 6 months from the date of enrollment. 

Most delegates take approximately 6 hours to complete this training course.

There is an online examination at the end of this course. Upon successful completion of this training, a digital credential (certificate) will be issued by email to the delegate for their records.