RPS Face to Face Training Dec 24

Radiation Protection Supervisor Training - Face to Face in NI

In compliance with Regulation 13(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000, the EA School Development Service is now offering this one-day health and safety training, provided by CLEAPSS, for all new Radiation Protection Supervisors in Northern Ireland Schools.

Attendance at this course is a crucial factor in the mitigation of risk in school science and to reduce the likelihood of issues with HSENI investigations or prosecutions arising out of accidents.

• Presenter: Mr Ralph Whitcher, CLEAPSS Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA)
• Date: Tuesday 10th December 2024 (this is the only date that the RPA is coming over to NI)
• Venue: The EA Clounagh Centre, 38 Brownstown Road, Portadown, BT62 3PY
• Times: 9:45am to 3:45pm.  We can begin at 9:30 if everyone is present, however we understand that some of you have a long journey and wish to accommodate that
• Sub cover: No
• EA are covering your course fee.

EA have arranged for CLEAPSS to come to NI for this single day and this training will not be repeated in the near future, therefore please take up the one place for your school. 

To reiterate; attendance at this course would be viewed as a positive action by a school to reduce risk should an accident occur.  

About the Course

This one-day course is for the school’s Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS schools), i.e. the person responsible for managing the safe storage, use and monitoring of radioactive sources in the science department. CLEAPSS believes that the RPS(schools) should be a member of the teaching staff, often the Head of Physics. (See CLEAPSS leaflet PS75, which explains why the RPS(schools) should be a teacher). The course is based on the CLEAPSS guide L093 Managing Ionising Radiations and Radioactive Substances in schools and colleges. It includes practical demonstrations with the relevant safety points embedded in them and answers many of the questions frequently asked on the CLEAPSS Helpline. 

Important:

Please be aware of the latest version of L093 - L093-Managing-Ionising-Radiations-and-Radioactive-Substances-in-Schools-and-Colleges.pdf   this is dated Feb 24 with minor revisions October 24;   for example the Sections 6.6.1 Risk assessment guidance for specific radioactive sources;  6.5 Model Standard Operating Procedures and 9.2 to 9.3 Incidents and Contingency.  The RPA will be going over these in detail however, as a new RPS, it might be helpful if you briefly glance over these in advance.  Your predecessor will have a file with all the paperwork already completed.  Examples of this necessary paperwork are shown in Section 16 of L093.

Topics covered in the course include:

• Legislation and guidance, the role and responsibilities of the RPA, RPO & RPS(schools)
• HSENI registration and other authorisations
• The hazards, and the important role of radiological protection
• The standard operating procedures and source specific risk assessments
• Safe and effective demonstration of the characteristics of radioactivity
• Storage and security of radioactive sources
• Doses and biological effects of ionising radiations
• Suitable sources
• Monitoring and record keeping, including leak testing and contamination checking
• Managing incidents
• Disposal of radioactive sources

    Course-Flyer-1002086.pdf