Cambridge
Academy
In London

Introduction

This advanced program provides Radiation Protection Officers with both fundamental knowledge and specialized training in advanced responsibilities. It is designed for professionals who supervise compliance, perform monitoring and surveys, manage risks, and lead organizational safety culture. The course covers everything from the basics of radiation physics to advanced RPO duties, ensuring that participants can operate effectively in diverse facilities while meeting both national and international standards.

Target Audience

• Radiation Protection Officers (newly appointed or experienced)
• Supervisors and managers in radiation facilities
• Compliance and safety professionals
• Staff preparing for advanced roles in radiation safety

Course Objectives

• Gain a solid foundation in radiation physics, measurement, biological effects, and safety principles (for participants without prerequisites)
• Develop competence in advanced RPO responsibilities: monitoring, risk assessment, and compliance oversight
• Apply structured methods for dose evaluation, incident management, and corrective action planning
• Strengthen organizational safety culture through training and leadership
• Integrate regulatory frameworks into daily RPO practice

Course Content

Unit 1: Basics of Radiation Physics

• Structure of matter, atoms, and nuclei
• Types of radiation and their properties
• Sources of radiation: natural and artificial
• Interaction of radiation with matter
• Importance of physics principles for radiation safety
• Case example: Practical applications in radiology and nuclear medicine

Unit 2: Radiation Units and Measurement

• Exposure, absorbed dose, effective dose concepts
• Units of measurement: Bq, Gy, Sv, Ci
• Introduction to dosimeters and survey meters
• Measurement methods in different radiation environments
• Interpretation of monitoring results for decision-making
• Practical demonstration: Using a Geiger-Müller counter

Unit 3: Biological Effects of Radiation

• Deterministic vs stochastic effects
• Acute and chronic health impacts
• Radiosensitivity of tissues and dose-response relationships
• International dose limits for workers and public
• Historical accidents and biological outcomes (Chernobyl, Fukushima)
• Role of biological effects in safety regulations

Unit 4: Principles of Radiation Protection

• ALARA principle and its practical application
• Time, distance, shielding as core strategies
• Use of PPE in radiation environments
• Personal and area monitoring systems
• Hierarchy of controls in radiation safety
• Examples: Shielding in medical imaging facilities

Unit 5: Safety Frameworks and Regulations

• IAEA Basic Safety Standards and their global role
• Overview of national radiation protection frameworks
• Licensing, authorization, and inspection processes
• Compliance obligations of facilities and RPOs
• Integrating safety culture into organizational practices
• Group exercise: Drafting a compliance checklist

Unit 6: RPO Roles and Responsibilities

• Scope of RPO duties in radiation facilities
• Developing and supervising RP programs
• Overseeing compliance with safety requirements
• Regulatory liaison and audit preparation
• Recordkeeping and reporting responsibilities
• Example: RPO responsibilities in research laboratories

Unit 7: Monitoring and Surveys

• Techniques for workplace radiation surveys
• Personal dosimetry programs and implementation
• Environmental monitoring in radiation zones
• Quality assurance in monitoring processes
• Selecting appropriate monitoring instruments
• Case study: Surveying an industrial gamma radiography site

Unit 8: Risk Assessment and Dose Evaluation

• Methods of radiation risk assessment
• Internal vs external dose evaluation
• Exposure pathway analysis in workplace environments
• Use of dose coefficients and models for evaluation
• Optimization of exposure through protective measures
• Practical exercise: Calculating doses from monitoring data

Unit 9: Incident Management and Reporting

• Identifying, classifying, and reporting incidents
• Non-compliance handling and regulatory notifications
• Root cause analysis methodologies
• Corrective and preventive actions planning
• Real-world case reviews: Lessons from radiation accidents
• Simulation: Managing a mock incident in a facility

Unit 10: Safety Culture and Training

• Defining and promoting radiation safety culture
• Leadership and communication for safety improvement
• Training and competency programs for workers
• Continuous improvement and performance measurement
• Capstone project: Designing a radiation protection training module
• Course review and final assessment