Training of Radiation Protection Officers (RPO)

Willelm Roentgen discovered X-rays in 1895 while the discovery of radioactivity was in 1896 by Henry Becqueral. The first successful use of X-rays to cure cancer was in 1899. The International Commission of Radiological Protection (ICRP) was established based on prevention of harmful radiation effects. The dose limits for deeper tissue of 1 cm and a shallow tissue of 0.007 cm were 300 and 600 mrems per week respectively. A deep dose of 5 mrems per year was recommended in ICRP publication 2 in 1959. In ICRP 26, recognized cancer as the main effect to be avoided and recommended a maximum effective dose of 50 mSv (5000 mrems) in a year. This led to the introduction of the concept of effective dose, which reconsiders the probability of stochastic effects from non-uniform irradiation. ICRP 60 issued in 1990 recommended the limit on effective dose equivalent for occupational exposure of 20mSv (2000 Mrems) average over a 5 year period (100 mSv, or 10 000 mrems in 5 Years), with a limit of 50 mSv (5000 mrems) in any single year. In 1956, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was established to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. It recommends basic safety standards. IAEA is empowered to provide for the application if safety for protection against radiation. The appearance of ICRP 60 in 1990 led to the IAEA, in 1995, to publish a 3. edition of the basic Safety standards for protection against ionizing radiation and for the safety of radiation sources. This led establishment Radiation Protection course in tertiary and medicine be included during training of their personnel. After training the graduate they are appointed as Radiation Protection officers (RPO) .It was also noted that there was no formal training of RPO in mining, industries and some manufacturing companies, In-house training is conducted in nuclear facilities. NECSA Radiation Protection officers (RPO) training program include RPM, RPO2, RPO1, RPS. NECSA future training program in nuclear safety and nuclear security for English peaking African countries