Radiation Safety Adviser (RSA) Services

Most users of ionising radiation need to appoint a Radiation Safety Adviser (RSA) in accordance with NiBIRR. Our Radiation Safety Adviser (RSA) services are available to all sectors of the Nigerian industry, commerce, and research and teaching – they are suitable for most sources of ionising radiation in the workplace. Formal advice from an RSA, and their appointment in writing, is usually a requirement of the NNRA. We have Radiation Safety Advisers who can provide advice, comments and recommendations in the following areas:

• Compliance with current legislation
• Room design, layout and shielding
• Siting of equipment emitting ionising radiation
• Siting and Transport of Radioactive Materials
• Leakage Testing of sealed sources
• Local Rules and Systems of Work
• Investigation of Incidents
• Personnel Monitoring, dosimetry and record keeping
• Safety Audits
• Safety Meetings
• Emergency Response Preparedness

It should be noted that the following matters require mandatory RSA consultation and apply to open and closed radioactive sources as well as x-ray generators. 

• Requirements for Controlled and Supervised designated areas
• Prior examination of plans for installation (and acceptance into service) of new or modified sources of ionising radiation. This relates to engineering controls, design features, safety features - in fact any feature which is designed to restrict exposure
• Calibration of equipment provided for the routine and non-routine monitoring of sources of ionising radiation. This also includes provision of advice on the regular checking and service of such equipment
• The periodic examination and testing of engineering controls, design features, and warning features which are provided to restrict exposure to ionising radiation. This advice extends to the written systems of work and procedures as well as the physical control measures

In addition to mandatory consultation described above, the Regulations require that users of ionising radiation also seek advice as is necessary for observance of the regulations, other legislation and best practice. This normally extends to providing advice on the technical and administrative arrangements for radiation protection and will include:

• Risk assessments
• The decision making process for designating areas as Controlled or Supervised
• The investigation of incidents and accidents involving ionising radiation
• Contingency Arrangements (including development and practice)

Available advice extends further still, encompassing all matters such as:

• Content and approval of local rules and systems of work designed to restrict exposure
• Radiation protection policy and management procedures
• The justification, selection, purchase, use and maintenance of personal protective equipment
• Onsite inspections of work areas
• Radiation Protection Training
• Transportation of radioactive materials

Specific RSA advice is also available for radioactive waste management including:

• Application for, and variation to, Registrations and Authorisations
• Environmental discharge and radiological assessments
• Radioactive source security

RSA Contracts

CERT can up RSA contracts to meet the individual needs of the client. Radiation Safety advice can also be offered on an ad hoc basis allowing a client to consult the RSA and therefore determine the scope of advice required. In this case we can arrange to visit the client to understand what is required before issuing a proposal for the RSA service. After this initial consultation, a contract for service or other suitable arrangement can be offered accordingly. There may be circumstances where this initial consultation can be achieved by e-mail or over the telephone.

Depending on the type of service required, we will either issue our own contract, or sign-up to a client-side contract as appropriate. If the client wishes to appoint us as their RSA, this will be done so in writing and we can supply a suitable letter for this purpose.

Types of RSA Contracts

We work with a number of different types of RSA contract agreements. Examples include:

• General RSA appointments to meet the regulatory requirements
• RSA project work (e.g. hazard assessments, dose estimations, contingency)
• RSA appointments for design and build (e.g. shielding evaluation for X-ray Departments, irradiation facility)
• Project work to develop and deliver training packages
• Project work for legacy source management and disposal

There will be circumstances where contracts are unnecessary. This will include one-off training sessions and RSA work which can generally be completed in not more than one half day.

Fee Schedules for RSA services are given below given below (these charges are subject to annual review):