Building competence. Sustainable education and training in radiation protection

Applications of ionizing radiation in medicine, industry, agriculture and research continue to increase worldwide. As the uses grow, the need for qualified and well-trained staff in all these fields takes on added importance. On the front line are staff responsible for nuclear, radiation, transport or radioactive waste safety. They should all have an adequate level of understanding of concepts related to radiation protection and be acquainted with the safe and secure use of radiation sources. Other types of personnel - even though they may not work directly with sources of ionizing radiation - also may require training to perform their duties competently. The primary responsibility for the safety of radiation sources rests with the employers/registrants or licencees authorized to conduct practices that cause radiation exposure, or to intervene to reduce existing exposure. One of the responsibilities, inter alia, includes the provision of suitable and adequate human resources and appropriate training in protection and safety, as well as periodic retraining and updating as required in order to ensure the necessary level of competence. An essential part of a national infrastructure for radiation safety is an adequate number of skilled/trained personnel within the facilities using radiation sources and the regulatory body. In some circumstances, the regulatory authority would authorize qualified persons to assume responsibilities or carry out certain functions only if they are trained in radiation protection. The level of required training would depend on the application or use of radiation sources and its associated hazard. It is therefore expected that building competence in radiation protection and safety as well as the exchange of information in this area will require more attention and effort from the IAEA. One way for the Agency to do that is to assist its Member States in establishing and strengthening national and regional training centres in education and training in radiation protection and the safe use of radiation sources