British Journal of Radiology (2003) 76, 357
© 2003 British Institute of Radiology
doi:
Training in radiation protection and the safe use of radiation sources. Safety Reports Series No 20. IAEA, pp. 69, 2001 (IAEA, Vienna, Austria), \#8364; 19.62
S B Osborn
This booklet is a revision of IAEA Technical Reports Series No 280 (1988) entitled Training Courses in Radiation Protection in the light of the Safety Series Report No 115 (1996) entitled International Basic Standards for Protection against Ionizing Radiation and for the Safety of Radiation Sources issued jointly with the World Health Organization and other international bodies.
Its recommendations are somewhat basic but fairly comprehensive although couched in language that betrays their international origin. Their main use may well be in helping radiation protection experts without teaching qualifications how to teach their subject most effectively to people at the various levels of education and expertise that they are likely to encounter. Its use may also be of greatest use in developing countries, and indeed the recommendations are often directed towards this, although difficulties may be encountered in such countries over some of the sophisticated visual aids to teaching which are suggested. About half the material consists of the main text for which the chapter headings are "Categories of persons to be trained", "Development of competence through training", "Training methods", and "A systematic approach to training". The remainder consists of 7 annexes going from standard syllabuses for different aspects of the subject at different levels, to sample questionnaires for the evaluation of a course by the participants. There are no figures for safety levels, etc., the reader being referred to the Basic Standards document mentioned above.
