Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS) course

Course overview

This course consists of approximately two full days of learning which you can take at your own pace. Ionactive strongly believes that "RPS" level delegates should have a reasonable understanding of sealed and unsealed radioactive materials and radiation generators (e.g. x-ray machines). This is regardless of the specific workplace sources being used - understanding all major sources of ionising radiation will provide the RPS with the "bigger picture", seeing radiation sources in context with other potential sources in the workplace. It will also assist the RPS delegate in understanding radiation risk - it is insightful to compare with other sources far and away from the familiar workplace.

Achievement certificate

At the RPS level Ionactive advises that "attendance" or "completion" certificates alone are of little value (to the delegate, their employer and the regulator). Therefore the Ionactive online RPS course includes a comprehensive test that covers all areas of the course (the pass mark is 55%). Two test attempts are allowed (the majority of delegates only need one attempt to pass). Our system allows an 'open book' test so that the delegate can save their progress and consult the training course material before returning to the test. Delegate feedback has been wonderful - when you pass the Ionactive RPS course you will receive an achievement certificate (checkout the delegate feedback).

Typical delegates

Recent delegates include : NHS & private medical delegates (X-ray diagnostics, radiotherapy, nuclear medicine), security industry (x-ray and EDT trace), ports and airport security, general industry (quality assurance, material detection), oil and gas ( FMD and industrial radiography), food and drink inspection, industrial sterilization, research and development (including use of radiochemical laboratories), government departments, A-Level physics students (!).

No prior knowledge is assumed. Whilst this course will be particularly useful for those already working with ionising radiation sources, no prior knowledge of the subject is assumed. A science, physics or maths background is not required - only a willingness to learn (or refresh) is assumed.

Online RPS training modules

Modules cover the following subjects:

1. Ionising Radiation, their Effects & Potential Harm – a basic introduction to ionising radiation, important terms to be understood and used, radiation exposure, radioactivity, the basics of x-ray systems, the health effects from high and low doses of ionising radiation, and a summary of the sources of natural and man made radiation you may come across.
   
2. ALARP (as low as reasonably practicable) - ALARP is a fundamental principle of restricting exposure from ionising radiation. In this module you will consider where ALARP is engineered into radiation sources, and where ALARP requires 'on-going' thinking as you work.
   
3. External and Internal Radiation Hazards - in this module you will explore a number of different types of radiation source (or workplace situation) and determine if they are classed as a potential external radiation hazard, an internal radiation hazard or both.
   
4. Practical Radiation Protection - here we examine the three key principles for restricting exposure from external hazards (involving time, distance and shielding), as well as the potentially more difficult (but important) principles for avoiding exposures from internal hazards.
   
5. Radiation and Contamination Monitoring (including Dosimetry) - this module presents a concise summary of a diverse and potentially complicated area of radiation protection. This is a good example of where we help you understand what you may not know, in order to ask the right questions.
6. Ionising Radiation Risk - ionising radiation is just one risk you will face when going about your work. The aim of this module is to present ionising radiation risk in context with other risks in the workplace and environment.
7. Radiation Protection Legislation - here we present a detailed but easy to digest study of the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017. We also summarise other radiation safety-related legislation covering environmental matters, transport and emergency response.
   
8. Local Rules and the Radiation Protection Supervisor - in many ways the most important module of the course. In this module you will discover the nature and significance of local rules. You will also consider the role of the Radiation Protection Supervisor and its relation to the local rules.
9. The Radiation Protection Adviser and the Regulators - here we discuss the role of the Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) and what to expect from the regulators (e.g. Health & Safety Executive and environmental regulators).
   
10. Contingency - what to do when things go wrong! Making contingency plans for a reasonably foreseeable radiation accident, rehearsing the plans, putting the plans into effect and investigating accidents.

Throughout this course we will present you with interactive quizzes and puzzles to aid your learning. At the end of this course, you will take an online test consisting mainly of short multiple-choice questions with a few written questions, and receive an achievement certificate if you pass successfully.

You tutor is Mark Ramsay, Radiation Protection Adviser for Ionactive Consulting Limited. If you have any difficulties with the course content please feel free to chat with your tutor using the inbuilt messaging service (blue chat icon).

Tip - Navigating around the online training system is simple. We have written a number of blog articles which may enhance your training experience. These can be found here: Online training blog articles - training application features.