Technical Meeting on Safety in Industrial Radiography

Olatunji O. OKOYAChief Regulatory Officer

Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority

Training of Radiographers

THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE

Objective

• Highlight efforts made by the Nigerian Regulatory Authority (NNRA) on the training of Radiographers

Content

• Introduction• Legal Basis • Regulatory Control Programme• Need for Training• Establishment of a National Institute• Training of Radiographers • Developments• Conclusion

Introduction

• Industrial Radiography is one of the major practices using ionizing radiation in Nigeria

• Oil and Gas Activities

• Practice in Existence before Regulatory Authority

• Regulatory Authority established in 2001

Legal Basis

• Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act 19 of 1995 (The ACT)

• The ACT established the NNRA and charged it with the primary responsibility for nuclear safety and radiological protection regulation

• The ACT under section 11 gave the NNRA power to establish a National Institute of Radiation Protection and Research either independently of in conjunction with a University

Regulatory Control Programme?

• Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA)

Regulations and Guidance Authorization Oversight Functions Emergency Preparedness Ancillary Functions

Need for Training

• Loss of Source by well- logging 2003• Undeclared transported source 2004• Loss source upon transportation to client’s

jetty 2006• Inability to account for source during

inspection 2005 – several cases• Incessant cases of high doses in personnel

monitoring report • Inconsistencies in workplace monitoring

records

Establishment of NIRPR

• NNRA established National Institute of Radiation Protection and Research(NIRPR) at the University of Ibadan in 2006

• The NIRPR acquired the defunct Federal Radiation Protection Service (FRPS)

Establishment of NIRPR

• National Institute of Radiation Protection and Research – Ancillary FunctionsTrainingWorkshops and SeminarsPersonnel MonitoringCalibration Services

Establishment of NIRPR

• Training– PGDRP - RSA– MSCRP - RSA– RSO – Oil and Gas - Practice Specific

RSO - Industrial Radiography

• Resources from all over Nigeria– University Lecturers– Regulators– Experienced RSAs – Experienced Radiographers - level III

RSO TRAINING METHODOLOGY• The RSO Training Course is a 5-day programme which

includes: – Lectures– Discussions– Exercises– Practicals– Exam

• At the end of the training, the participants are examined and the successful ones are issued a certificate.

• The certificate has a validity period of 3 years; after which the holder must re-enroll for the training

RSO TRAINING MODULES

• Basic Nuclear Physics and Radioactivity• Radiation Quantities and Units• Interaction of Radiation with Matter• Radiation Shielding and Detection• Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation• Radiation Detectors• Factors Affecting Radiation Dose• Principle of Radiation Protection

RSO TRAINING MODULE (Cont’d)

• Operational Radiation Protection• Industrial Radiography Sources• Nigerian Basic Ionizing Radiation Regulations• Radiation Safety in Industrial Radiography

Regulations• Safety and Security of radioactive sources

regulations

RSO TRAINING MODULE (Cont’d)

• Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Sources

• Emergency Preparedness and Response• Incidents and Accidents Involving Radioactive

Sources• Safety Culture• Legal Framework for the Control of Radioactive

Sources in Nigeria• Categorization of Radioactive Sources

RSO TRAINING MODULE (Cont’d)

• Practical– Use of Survey Meter and Monitoring Badges– Emergency Exercises– Incidents and Accidents Reporting– Area and Workplace monitoring– Equipment maintenance and Servicing– Transportation, labelling and documentation– Record Keeping

TRAINING STRATEGY

• RSAs – are accredited by the NNRA– operators are obliged to engage any accredited one– provide at least yearly refresher training for the RSOs and

other Radiographers

• RSOs– certified by the NIRPR– appointed by operator (issued an appointment letter)– has powers to stop unsafe operations– provides regular awareness training

Developments

• More confident RSOs• Drastic reduction in cases of infraction• Improved relationship/engagement between

regulator and regulated• Engagement between NIRPR and ANDTN for a

proper certification of Radiographers

Conclusion

• The NNRA continues to play its primary role• Committed to ensuring operator’s obligation • Training programme is place with room for

improvement

Thank Youfor your attention