The IAEA held a national seminar for nuclear regulators on safety and the regulatory control of radiation sources as part of Seychelles' annual Safety Week, held in 2015 from 16-20 November. The IAEA seminar, in line with the ILO-selected theme for Safety Week, 'Join in Building a Culture of Prevention on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)', emphasized the importance of a collaborative environment among all stakeholders for enhancing safe handling of radiation sources and occupational exposure control.
Opening Safety Week 2015, the Honourable Ms Idith Alexander, Minister for Labour and Human Resource Development, stressed that workers should continuously be informed on occupational hazards associated with their work place in order to cater for their own safety and that of others.
As provided for in the Radiation Safety and Security Act (2014), "workplace establishments are compelled to follow strict administrative procedures relating to the importation, exportation and transportation of radioactive sources," explained the Minister. She emphasized that the protection of workers and the public from radiation exposure should remain a top priority for all users of ionizing radiation. "Considering the inherent risk posed by radiation, a guideline has also been formulated to sensitize users and licensees on their role and responsibilities in regards to the use of radioactive sources. It also sets out comprehensive procedures for authorization prior to engaging in practice involving radiation", the Minister elaborated.
Following the launch of Safety Week 2015, IAEA expert Ms Golebaone Esther Mokopasetso of Botswana presented an overview of radiation safety and security at a workshop on radiation safety and regulatory control of radiation sources. The workshop was designed to sensitise and raise awareness among the 80 high-level government officials, chief executive officers, and relevant stakeholders in attendance. "There was high level of participation and interaction during the presentations, where relevant questions were asked showing interest on the subject," said Ms Mokopasetso.
Following the workshop, staff of the regulatory body-including newly-recruited technical staff of the Ministry of Labour and Human Resources Development (MLHRD)-gained practical experience with regulatory inspections and discussed initiating regulatory functions in Seychelles. The inspection process was broken down by scenario: enforcement inspections; emergency response investigation and follow-up; and regular inspections. The group applied their new knowledge of inspections to two real world situations, namely visiting the x-ray rooms of a diagnostic centre and a dental clinic. Participants were guided by the expert in the compilation and dissemination of the inspection report. The seminar also provided an opportunity to share knowledge and experience between Seychelles and Botswana on radiation safety.
