Contextual Information for the Potential Enhancement of Annual Radiation Protection Program Review Reports

Abstract

Organizations possessing sources of ionizing radiation are required to develop, document, and implement a “radiation protection program” that is commensurate with the scope and extent of permitted activities and sufficient to ensure compliance with basic radiation safety regulations. The radiation protection program must also be reviewed at least annually, assessing program content and implementation. A convenience sample assessment of web-accessible and voluntarily-submitted radiation protection program annual review reports revealed that while the reports consistently documented compliance with necessary regulatory elements, very few included any critical contextual information describing how important the ability to possess radiation sources was to the central mission of the organization. Information regarding how much radioactive material was currently possessed as compared to license limits was also missing. Summarized here are suggested contextual elements that can be considered for possible inclusion in annual radiation protection program reviews to enhance stakeholder understanding and appreciation of the importance of the ability to possess radiation sources and the importance of maintaining compliance with associated regulatory requirements.

A 30-Year Radiation Safety Prospectus Describing Organizational Drivers, Program Activities, and Outcomes

“…Additionally, this type of prospectus could be included in the annual review of the radiation protection program to show trends over time. Emery and Gutierrez describe useful parameters to include such as an executive summary and a description of the purpose and scope of the radiation use (Emery and Gutierrez 2017). Including this type of information over time can help frame an overall management perspective of radiation use at the institution.…”

Biosafety Program Analytics Initiative for the Advancement of the Profession

“…2 Our collaboration within the UTHealth School of Public Health also includes additional benchmarking efforts related to health and safety disciplines, including security staffing for hospitals to assist in the management of workplace violence risks 3 and radiation protection programs. 4 In October 2017, representatives from the P2 R Academy presented to the ABSA International Council a unique summary of program needs that was created by assembling the recurring themes discussed (and debated) during years of delivering professional development training courses. We believe these program needs are significant because they were identified by biosafety professionals time and time again over many years.…”

“…2 Our collaboration within the UTHealth School of Public Health also includes additional benchmarking efforts related to health and safety disciplines, including security staffing for hospitals to assist in the management of workplace violence risks 3 and radiation protection programs. 4…”