isRP: international school for Radiological Protection

Thanks to its thorough experience in the field of peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology, radiological protection and radiobiology, the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK•CEN is reputed to be an outstanding centre of research, training and education. As a task force within SCK•CEN, the International School for Radiological Protection (isRP) initiates and manages training and research projects and contributes to related activities on national and international level. The activities situate on three tracks :

1. Coordination and organisation of training and education programmes on radiological protection

The isRP training activities deal with all aspects of radiological protection and are directed to the private medical and industrial nuclear sector, national and international policy organisations, the political and academic world and the general public. Courses are also organised in cooperation with the academic world, and public and private health services. In addition, isRP is involved in international research networks and training programmes, i.e. of the European Commission and the IAEA.

2. Research on transdisciplinary aspects of education and training

Understanding the benefits and risks of radioactivity requires technical insight and training, but also notice of the context and a sense for the social and philosophical aspects of the situation. In coordination with the academic sector, the research of isRP concentrates on how to integrate this transdisciplinary approach in education and training programmes for as well professionals as students and pupils.

3. Policy support with regard to applied education and training on a national and international level

The implementation of a coherent approach to education and training in radiological protection becomes crucial in a world of dynamic markets and increasing workers’ mobility. Through networking and participation in international programmes, isRP wants to contribute to a better harmonisation of education, training practice and skills recognition on a national and international level.

Course content

Background and basic knowledge: The course series Background and Basic Knowledge collects general and more specific technical courses on radiological protection. The series consists of seven modules and provides the theoretical and practical knowledge required for implementing technical aspects of radiological protection in a medical or industrial working environment, both in the daily practice and in the management in the long term :

• Basic principles of nuclear physics
• Interaction of radiation with matter
• Radiation and dose measurements
• Biological effects of ionising radiation
• Gamma spectrometry
• Standards and legislation
• ALARA and safety culture

Nuclear and radiological expertise: The nuclear and radiological expertise modules are follow-up modules that fit in directly with the basic course series, but provided sufficient foreknowledge, they may be taken separately. The series addresses technical practice-oriented issues with a link to radiological protection and relies fully on the nuclear expertise of SCK•CEN. The series includes amongst others:

• Transport of radioactive materials
• Radon and increased natural radioactivity
• Ethical aspects of applications of radioactivity and nuclear technology
• Management of radioactive waste
• Management of routine discharges
• Internal dosimetry assessment from bioassay measurements
• Quality assurance and quality control related to nuclear safety
• Dismantling techniques
• Site remediation
• On-site accident management
• The use of personal protective equipment in controlled areas (practical training)
• Organisation of emergency planning
• Misuse of radioactive material: prevention and response
• Radiochemistry

Visits: In the course programmes, lectures and practical training sessions can be alternated with visits to relevant laboratories and installations of the SCK•CEN. These technical visits enable to enrich and illustrate the participants’ acquired knowledge with the practice of ‘real-life’ situations, as well with regard to safety culture in controlled areas, as the techniques and know-how of the applications of radioactivity as such. SCK•CEN installations and laboratories that can be visited include :

• BR1, the ‘natural uranium – graphite – air’ type research reactor;
• BR2, the high neutron flux material test reactor;
• BR3, the first prototype Pressurized Water Reactor in Europe, and subject of a Europan pilot project on dismantling;
• The Hot Cells of the Laboratory for High and Medium Activity;
• The HADES underground laboratory for waste disposal research and the EURIDICE demo hall;
• The radioactive decontamination wing of the medical services;
• The emergency planning and follow-up room;
• The whole body counter laboratory;
• The radiobiology and microbiology laboratories;
• The radioecology laboratories;
• The nuclear callibration services.

Staff

Among the isRP lecturers are technicians, physicists, biologists, medical doctors, engineers and social scientists who all bring insights and ideas from their specific background into the course programmes. As SCK•CEN staff members, they have a solid knowledge and experience in their field, and can thus directly transfer their theoretical knowledge and practical experience into the various courses.

Website: www.sckcen.be/isrp

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Contact person(s)

Verachtert Cindy , Coeck Michèle