Fundamentals of Radiation Physics and Radiation Protection and SafetySecurity and Safety

In any city around the world 00447455203759 Course Code: AC/2025/695

Course Description

Introduction

This entry-level course provides participants with a comprehensive foundation in radiation physics, measurement, biological effects, and protection principles. It is designed to support professionals who are responsible for ensuring the safe use of radiation in medical, industrial, and research applications. The course emphasizes the importance of a strong safety culture, introduces international standards and regulatory frameworks, and equips participants with the knowledge and tools to implement effective monitoring and protection practices. Serving as a prerequisite for advanced training, this program builds essential skills for those engaged in regulatory oversight and radiation safety management.

Target Audience

  • Technical staff and specialists working with radiation sources
  • Safety officers and inspectors responsible for radiation protection
  • Engineers, technicians, and laboratory personnel in radiation-related activities
  • Early-career professionals seeking a strong grounding in radiation safety principles
  • Staff involved in regulatory, compliance, or oversight functions in nuclear and radiation fields

Course Objectives

  • Understand the structure of matter and the fundamentals of radiation physics
  • Identify different types and sources of radiation, both natural and artificial
  • Gain knowledge of radiation units, measurements, and monitoring tools
  • Recognize the biological effects of radiation and their implications for dose limits
  • Apply radiation protection principles (ALARA, shielding, PPE, monitoring) in professional practice
  • Become familiar with international safety frameworks and national regulatory standards
  • Strengthen awareness of safety culture in handling radiation sources

Course Content

Unit 1: Basics of Radiation Physics

  • Structure of matter: atoms, subatomic particles, and atomic nuclei
  • Types of ionizing radiation (alpha, beta, gamma, neutrons, X-rays) and their properties
  • Sources of radiation: natural background sources (cosmic rays, radon, terrestrial) and artificial sources (medical imaging, nuclear power, industry)
  • Interaction of radiation with matter and mechanisms of energy transfer
  • Practical examples of radiation in medical and industrial applications
  • Importance of radiation physics as a foundation for safety and regulatory compliance

Unit 2: Radiation Units and Measurement

  • Definitions: exposure, absorbed dose, equivalent dose, and effective dose
  • Units of measurement: becquerel (Bq), gray (Gy), sievert (Sv), curie (Ci)
  • Relationship between physical dose and biological impact
  • Introduction to dosimeters (TLDs, film badges, electronic dosimeters) and their applications
  • Survey meters (Geiger-Müller counters, ionization chambers, scintillation detectors) for field monitoring
  • Application of monitoring results in workplace safety assessments

Unit 3: Biological Effects of Radiation

  • Distinction between deterministic (threshold-based) and stochastic (probability-based) effects
  • Acute health impacts: radiation sickness, burns, and organ damage
  • Long-term and chronic effects: cancer risk, genetic mutations, and hereditary effects
  • Dose-response models and their role in setting safety limits
  • Internationally recommended dose limits for workers and the general public
  • Case study: radiation accident lessons and their impact on safety regulations

Unit 4: Principles of Radiation Protection

  • The ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) as a guiding philosophy
  • Key protection measures: minimizing time of exposure, maximizing distance, using shielding
  • Use and limitations of personal protective equipment (PPE) in radiation environments
  • Workplace and personal monitoring strategies
  • Hierarchy of controls: engineering solutions, administrative measures, and personal controls
  • Practical applications of radiation protection in medicine and industry

Unit 5: Introduction to Safety Frameworks

  • International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Basic Safety Standards – purpose and scope
  • Role of international and national regulations in radiation protection
  • Overview of regulatory processes: licensing, compliance inspections, enforcement
  • Importance of integrating safety culture into organizational practices
  • Review and assessment of core course topics
  • Group exercise: designing a basic radiation protection plan for a workplace scenario