The R

TD

Group

NORM TRAINING: Increasing Awareness, Reducing Exposure

Richard van SonsbeekRöntgen Technische Dienst bv

Dept. Radiation Protection Services

P.O. Box 10065

3004 AB Rotterdam

The Netherlands

Phone +31 (0)10 2088229

Fax: +31 (0)10 4158022

e-mail: r.van.sonsbeek@rtd.nl

The R

TD

Group

Risks of NORM in O&G

Occupational exposure of workers (own personnel, or contractor personnel);

Contamination of the (local) environment; Transfer of contaminated equipment and

scrap metal to other companies, and possibly to other countries;

Liability; Bad publicity

Workers have to be aware of these risks

The R

TD

Group

Situation in the Netherlands

Most operators in the O&G industry have a license to perform work activities with NORM contaminated materials;

According to such a license operators have to appoint a radiation protection officer (RPO), either from own company, or hired from a consulting company;

Work activities are directly supervised by radiation experts, level 5 in case of routine jobs, and level 3 in case of non-routine jobs.

Workers have to be instructed on the radiation protection measures, and procedures (toolbox sessions);

The R

TD

Group

Training in the Netherlands

Education on radiation protection is regulated (since the late 60’s);

Four levels of radiation expertise are described, ranging from level 5 (low) to level 2 (high);

Training institutes have to be recognised by the authorities (published in law gazette), and the authorities are represented in the examination boards

The R

TD

Group

Extension of training in the Netherlands

The level 5 course consists of four days of theory, and one day of practical exercises;

Depending on the training institute, the level 3 course extents over a period of three to four months (not fulltime), and includes more practical exercises (university level);

All courses have to be completed by passing an exam.

The R

TD

Group

New regulations in the Netherlands

Since Summer 2004 there is a specific NORM regulation (following implementation of Euratom BSS)

Listed identified industries have to investigate if they perform work activities, i.e. if they have a NORM problem

Depending on activity concentration work activities must either be reported or one has to apply for a license

The R

TD

Group

Continuous training of radiation experts

Usually operators choose to have their own radiation experts level 5 to supervise routine NORM jobs;

(Of course) this is not a fulltime position; Refreshing and keeping up with new

developments is important, and therefore operators send their level 5 experts to refresher courses, e.g. provided by RTD;

Further the normal level 5 courses are very general, and not focussed on the problems in the O&G industry. The refresher courses aim to be more specific.

The R

TD

Group

Radiation experts level 3

Radiation experts level 3 for supervision of non-routine jobs are usually hired from consulting companies, e.g. RTD;

For these experts keeping up with the latest developments is part of their job;

New experts are trained on the job, before they may act as supervising expert independently;

In the future a scheme of registration will be implemented in the Netherlands

The R

TD

Group

NORM training in Africa

The R

TD

Group

NORM problem at Operating Company in African country

High radiation level at pipeline discovered

by industrial radiographer.

Results of NORM survey (RTD) NORM contaminated installation parts; NORM contamination of environment; NORM contaminated scrap

Company has a NORM problem

The R

TD

Group

How can the company deal with this NORM problem?

There are no national laws & regulations on ionising radiation, let alone law enforcement in the country where it is operating;

There is no infrastructure with regard to:- radiation protection;- decontamination facilities;- radioactive waste treatment and

disposal

The R

TD

Group

Short term solution

Compliance with Group regulations on radiation protection(what, if these do not exist?)

Drawing up procedures based on these regulation

Training of workers to implement the procedures

Proper storage of contaminated materials, and radioactive waste

The R

TD

Group

Long term solution?

Guidance is necessary by international body (IAEA) on issues like:- Practical radiation protection measures;- Limits (harmonisation);- Training of personnel;- Disposal options for NORM waste;

(IAEA Safety Report Series No. 34, 2003)

International harmonisation would be desirable because NORM is a world-wide problem (and not only in O&G industry)

The R

TD

Group

Implementation of Group regulations

Policy statement with regard to NORM;

Limits (dose (rates), activity concentration);

Organisation (Radiation Protection Advisors, -Supervisors, and -Technicians);

Qualification of personnel (Training); Measurement and sampling program

The R

TD

Group

NORM training

Creating awareness for risks of NORM; Diffusion of awareness through the whole

company and into the local society; Implementation of measurement program; Re-assurance of ignorant workers Protection of workers, environment, local

public, and in the end the World population;

The R

TD

Group

Students

Mixed population with regard to education and work experience;

Most of students have no background in Physics, let alone Radiation Physics;

Not all students speak English; We make a distinction in the training

for RPS, and the training for RPT

The R

TD

Group

Radiation Protection Supervisor

Inspect and supervise NORM jobs; Quality Assurance of radiation

protection; Organise monitoring and sampling; Radioactive waste qualification; Proper packaging, storage, and

disposalTwo or three day training

(depending on availability of students)

The R

TD

Group

Radiation Protection Technician

Measure contamination levels; Register and report results; Notify RPS if count rates exceed

limits; Supervise routine NORM jobs

One or one and a half day course

(depending on availability of students)

The R

TD

Group

Theoretical part

The R

TD

Group

General theory

Basic atomic and nuclear physics; Ionising radiation (, , ); Interaction of ionising radiation with

matter; Biological effects; Dose and dose rate, annual limits; External exposure, internal contamination

All at an introductory level, you need it to discuss it in order to explain other issues

The R

TD

Group

Focussed theory

Origin of NORM in oil and gas production. Where can you expect to find it?;

Detection of NORM (use of portable monitors);

Interpretation of measurements; Protective measures during NORM

jobs Company NORM procedures

The R

TD

Group

Practical part

The R

TD

Group

Measurements on location

Training is given “in house”; During the training the students can

perform measurements on their own workplace;

Students can directly ask questions concerning their own risks (re-assurance)

The R

TD

Group

Advantages of NORM training

Motivated students (it concerns themselves);

“Bottom up” dissemination of awareness in company;

“Older” students can provide valuable historical information

The R

TD

Group

Feedback

It is important that students are stimulated to actively participate;

Methods that can be used are:- Ask questions during training to verify is

students understood what was said;- Start training with multiple choice “Test

you knowledge”- Have a short exam at the end of the

course, with an optional certificate

The R

TD

Group

Thank you for your attention!