Organizational Responsibilities Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources

Organizational Responsibilities

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Medical Practices Module C. 1 Objective • To understand the structure of a radiation safety programme in a medical facility; • To understand the role of different parties in this programme; • To be able to identify external reporting mechanisms. 2

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Medical Practices Module C. 1 Persons involved in a radiation protection programme; • • • Registrants or Licensees; Employers; Radiological Medical Practitioners; Suppliers of Sources and Equipment; Radiation Protection Officers; Referring Medical Practitioners; Medical Physicists; Medical Radiation Technologists; Qualified Experts; Workers; Ethics Committees. 3

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Medical Practices Module C. 1 Responsibilities for Protection and Safety • Prime Responsibility: Person (or organization) responsible for the facility or activity; • Establishment and implementation of protection and safety programme: • Registrants or licensees; • Employers (occupational exposure); • Radiological medical practitioners (medical exposure). 4

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Medical Practices Module C. 1 Prime Responsibility • The registrant or licensee has a responsibility to ensure that a radiation protection program is prepared and implemented. • Is responsible for radiation protection and compliance with the legislation, regulations and other requirements imposed by the Regulatory Body. • Some responsibilities may be delegated but the registrant and licensee remains ultimately responsible. 5

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Medical Practices Module C. 1 Responsibilities The Radiological Medical Practitioner: • must take responsibility for protection and safety in the planning and delivery of medical exposures including justification and optimization in in cooperation with the Medical Physicist and the Medical Radiation Technologist 6

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Medical Practices Module C. 1 Responsibilities (cont) Qualified Experts • The registrants or licensees must obtain the services of qualified experts (a suitably experienced medical physicist). • The training, competencies and certification of experts is usually a national matter. The Regulatory Body should cooperate with relevant professional organizations in the recognition of such experts. • Professional organizations would be expected to take a lead in defining work practices, certification and accreditation. 7

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Medical Practices Responsibilities (cont) Module C. 1 Qualified expert • “An individual who, by virtue of certification by appropriate boards or societies, professional licences or academic qualifications and experience, is duly recognized as having expertise in a relevant field of specialization, e. g. medical physics, radiation protection, occupational health, fire safety, quality management or any relevant engineering or safety specialty. . ” GSR Part 3 (Definitions) 8

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Medical Practices Module C. 1 Responsibilities (cont) The Radiation Protection Officer: • is a person who is technically competent to provide advice and oversight of the local radiation safety programme. • is a crucial component of the radiation safety programme and requires appropriate resources and administrative authority; • “A person technically competent in radiation protection matters relevant for a given type of practice who is designated by the registrant, licensee or employer to oversee the application of relevant requirements” (GSR Part 3 Definitions) 9

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Medical Practices Module C. 1 Responsibilities (cont) Radiation Protection Officer (cont): The role of the RPO is determined locally, but typically includes: • responsibility for designation of controlled and supervised areas; • responsibility for ensuring preparation of local rules; • training of new staff in safe radiation work practices; • liaison with the Regulatory Body on radiation protection matters. 10

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Medical Practices Module C. 1 Responsibilities (cont) Radiation Protection Officer (cont) The role of the RPO is determined locally, but typically includes: • supervision of the personnel monitoring program; • maintenance of records, especially worker radiation histories; • routine surveillance of radiation areas; • responding to and investigating radiation accidents; • provision of radiation dosimetry; • general advice to the licensee and staff regarding radiation safety. 11

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Medical Practices Responsibilities (cont) Module C. 1 Suppliers of Sources and Equipment: a) Supplying a safe radiation generator or radioactive source and device meeting quality standards radiation generators and radioactive sources are tested to demonstrate b) Ensuring that are tested to demonstrate compliance with the relevant specifications; c) Making information available including performance specifications, instructions for operating and maintenance, and instructions for protection and safety; d) Ensuring that the protection provided by shielding and other protective devices is optimized. 12

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Medical Practices Module C. 1 External Reporting Requirements for external reporting may depend on national regulations, however the following must be reported to the Regulatory Body: • any proposed new buildings or building modifications relevant to radiation safety; • prescribed radiation incidents or accidents; • the planned acquisition or disposal of radiation sources. 13