Ionising Radiation Safety

Aimed at: Faculty, Research staff, Technical Officers and Postgraduate Researchers

This course is provided to persons who will be appointed as an RPS or will be handling and directly using:

• Unsealed radionuclides
• Sealed radioactive sources
• X-ray sources

A one-day course (given over two half days, 9am-1pm) run in conjunction with the University Radiation Protection Officer focusing on the nature of radiation and the measures needed to assess the risks and guard against them at the place of work. The course also assesses the legislative requirements of licensing.

Objectives:

At the end of the course participants will be able to identify ionising radiation hazards and to conduct a radiation risk assessment.

Content:

• The nature of ionising radiations, their effects and quantification of harm
• radiation protection principles and the importance of the ALARP principle.
• Acknowledge and appreciate the external and internal radiation hazard.
• Become familiar with practical radiation protection techniques (for all source types).
• Use quantities for measuring dose, dose rate and exposure
• The range of active and passive radiation / contamination monitoring
• Techniques available for assessing personal and environmental exposure.
• Know how to choose the correct technique for your area of work.
• Understand and use the principles of risk assessment to assist in assessing exposure and its significance and relevance to specified dose limits.
• Be aware of the legislation which underpins radiation protection and how the RPS fits into the regulatory framework (and where they do not).
• Be familiar with radiation protection management procedures (e.g. designation of areas, written systems of work, classified radiation workers).
• Know when local rules are required, what they should contain and who should write them.
• Understand the role of the RPS (what you need to do and what you invariably end up doing).
• Appreciate the importance of good record keeping.
• Understand the role of the RPA (and how to use them).
• Understand the responsibility of the radiation employer.
• Recognise the implications of a radiation incident and appreciate the importance of contingency planning.

Duration: Two half days  

Please contact (opens in a new window)radiationsafety@ucd.ie to register for this course

Aimed at: Faculty, Research staff, Technical Officers, Postgraduate Researchers and UCD Students

This 2-hour course, developed in conjunction with the University Radiation Protection Officer, provides essential knowledge on radiation safety principles, hazards, and best practices to minimize exposure. It is designed for all university staff and students who work directly or around radioactive materials. Individuals who work directly with radioactive materials will require further specialised training provided by their respective departments' Radiation Protection Supervisors. The course focuses on the nature of radiation, methods for assessing associated risks, and the necessary safety measures to mitigate those risks in the workplace. It also explores the legislative requirements of licensing.

Objectives:

To provide both the radiation and laboratory worker with basic information needed to protect himself/herself and to understand and comply with legislative requirements.

Content:

• Nature and Characteristics of Radiation and Radioactivity
• Radiation Detection and Measurement
• Possible Hazards of Radiation Including Hazards to the Fetus
• Dose and Exposure Limits
• Safety Practices Which Can Reduce Radiation Exposure to Workers and the Environment
• Current Regulations and Emergency Procedures

Duration: 2 hours

Recommended Course to Complete with these Training Courses: Risk Assessment Training

How to access the online training material in Brightspace

1. Go to (opens in a new window)https://brightspace.ucd.ie/ and login using your UCD Connect login and
   password
2. On the Brightspace home page, from the blue navigation bar, select the 'Explore' link
3. This will open a page with 'Discover' and a search bar - and a range of modules available.
4. Select the 'UCD Safety Induction Training'
5. Select option to 'Enrol in Course'*

*In case you are already enrolled to the “UCD Safety Induction Training”,
click on the “…select a module” icon on top of the screen and skip to number
7.

6. Select option to 'Open Course'
7. Select 'My Learning' from header options 
8. The course “Radiation Safety Training” will appear under learning materials on the left-hand side of the screen.