Safety assessments are systematic analyses of the hazards associated with radiation conducted to ensure the protection of workers, the public and the environment. They are used to identify the need to implement new, or to improve upon existing, safety measures. Safety assessments are a necessary precondition for the safe management of radioactive sources and waste—reflecting their necessity, the IAEA recently organized an interregional training course in Windhoek, Namibia on how best to conduct safety assessments for radioactive waste management facilities. Held in June, the training course was hosted by the Government of Namibia through its Ministry of Health and Social Services and through the Atomic Energy & Radiation Protection Authority.
Organized as part of an ongoing, interregional technical cooperation (TC) project[1], the training course was designed to help Member States enhance their capacities in the management of radioactive sources, and to ensure that the safety of radioactive waste management facilities is regularly assessed and regulated according to international standards and best practices.
Sealed radioactive sources are used all over the world, including in the healthcare, research and agricultural industries. To ensure that they are deployed safely and securely, these sources must be carefully managed, both while in-use and after they reach the end of their useful lives and become disused. Disused sealed radioactive sources (DSRS) that cannot be recycled should be declared radioactive waste and managed accordingly.
