Regulations for the security of the radioactive sources:

Some elements that are used to regulate radioactive sources and to assure their security and safety in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are :

A. Physical Security of Radioactive Material

Physical control of radioactive material which is in use or stored starts from the existence of; a) a clearly designated place for handling and storage, b) notices, signals or other warning means to identify the presence of radioactive materials, c) It should also include, controlled access to the place of usage and storage, d) guards or electric surveillance. Regular audits and

measurement of dose rates and contamination levels, etc. Particular effort is needed for radioactive materials in medicine, industry and research, where many such materials are used and stored and there are many individuals handling of the material.

B. Accountability for Sources and Records

The licensees authorized to possess, use, transport, import and export radioactive sources bear full responsibility for the radioactive sources and materials handled by them, and should maintain an accountability system, including records for each source. The record include; name, technical qualification, movement, physical and chemical state, serial number, location, and all other details including any activities in which the radioactive source or materials are used. Other records for shipments, receipt, physical inventory, operation losses and final disposition should be maintained.

C. Location of Sources

The selection of a site for a source that holds a large inventory of radioactive substances or has the potential for release of large amounts of such radioactive substances must take into account any features that might affect the safety of the source or might be affected by the source.

The feasibility of off-site intervention, including carrying out emergency plans and protective actions as foregoing factors in engineering design must also be considered.

D. Inspection

Inspection is one of the major aspects that strongly affect safety and security of radioactive sources and materials. So, the regulatory authority reserves all rights to inspect all practices and actions that include radioactive sources or materials in periodic or sudden manner to ensure the compliance with requirements, and regulations of radiation protection. This includes inspection of used procedures for carrying out actions, all workers, all locations that may be affected by these actions or may affect them, and all documents and records relevant to the actions, radioactive materials and sources or persons and their radiation exposure.

E. Periodic Checks of Inventories and Notification of Loss of Control

Inventory of radioactive materials should be checked periodically to confirm that the materials are in their assigned locations and are secure. Records of the inventory and findings should also be maintained. The appropriate intervals for conducting inventories depend on considerations similar to those for security. The regulatory authority should be notified of the loss of control of radioactive material. The notification should include a description of the radioactive material and any associated equipment, its last location and the circumstances. The timings and means of notification will depend on the nature of hazard. In any case, initial notification should be prompt, so that the actions to regain control and reduce risk are most effective if started quickly. The regulatory authority have sufficient enforcement policy to correct non-compliance of requirements.

6. References:

1- Basic Regulations for Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation sources in the

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Regulations prepared by Institute of Atomic Energy Research (IAER).1996.

2- International basic safety standards(BSS) for radiation protection against ionizing radiation and the safety of radiation sources. International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA),Safety Series No.l 15-1.1995.

3- International Atomic Energy Agency, Recommendations for the Safe Use and Regulation of Radiation Sources, Safety Series No. 102, IAEA, 1990.

IAEA-CN-70/52 ORGANIZATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A NATIONAL PROGRAMME OF REGULATORY CONTROL OF SOURCES IN ESTONIA.

IRINA FILIPPOVA XA9848184 Estonian Radiation Protection Centre,Kopli str. 76 EE0004 Tallinn, Estonia

Abstract

The application of ionizing radiation and radioactive material infields such as medicine, industry, teaching and research is constantly increasing. Consequently, any country using ionizing radiation and radioactive material in these applications must ensure that they are used safely.

In order to achieve this goal a country must establish appropriate national infrastructure related to radiation protection and safety. This requires appropriate regulatory mechanism together with an enforcement ability. The national infrastructure adopted in a country will depend on the actual needs of the country, the size and the complexity of the regulated practices and sources, as well as on the regulatory tradition in the country.

The national infrastructure in Estonia comprises of three main components - Legislation

- Regulatory Authority - Resources

1. Legislation.

The first step in achieving adequate control of safe uses of ionizing radiation and radioactive material in Estonia is establishing appropriate national legislation which provides a foundation for a regulatory program. The legislation bases on a general principles of radiation protection of people and safety of radiation sources.

1.1. Radiation Protection Act in Estonia was issued in 23 April 1997 which includes:

principles of acceptability of activity involving radiation status of Radiation Protection Centre

requirements concerning activity involving radiation radiation exposure categories

exposure limits

occupational exposure occupational exposure limits environmental natural exposure - dose register

- age limitations for radiation work admittance health surveillance of radiation workers public exposure

assessment of public exposure medical exposure

emergency exposure

securing of safety of radiation sources

- installation , repair and maintenance of the radiation source - type approval of radiation sources

- transport and marking and labeling of radioactive substances, radiation equipment containing radioactive substances and radioactive waste

definition of radioactive waste

- basic requirements for radioactive waste management

- restrictions in regard to transfer and take-over of radioactive waste export of radioactive waste

state supervision

special cases of application of the Act - changes in former legal acts

- liability of a legal person for violation of the Radiation Protection Act

1.2. Subordinate legislation: lows, regulations, codes of practice, guides and manuals, which provide details of specific matters including :

dose limits for persons occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation - dose limits for members of the public

- licensing of persons / institutions to import, export, use, sell or prssess irradiating apparatus and radioactive material

- the form and manner of application for, and granting of, licences, their term of validity and fees to be charged

registration of irradiating apparatus , sealed radioactive sources and premises in which unsealed radioactive material is used

- provisions for personal dosimeters and for dosimetric equipment

- requiring persons, suspected to have been adversely affected by ionizing radiation, to undergo medical examination

- requirements relating to the construction, or structural alteration, of buildings used for treatment, storage or use of radioactive material

- inspection of premises in which radioactive material is used, treated, manufactured or stored

- inspection of irradiating apparatus and radioactive material - training of radiation protection officers