How to strengthen protection of workers exposed to radiation in their jobs by using a new IAEA Safety Standard on Occupational Radiation Protection (GSG-7) was the focus of a recent workshop in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, organized by the IAEA and the International Labour Organization (ILO) in collaboration with Brazil.
The 11-15 March regional workshop highlighted the requirements and principles in the new standard, which provides recommendations for implementing safety measures for workers at medical institutions, educational and research establishments as well as nuclear fuel cycle facilities using nuclear or related technology. The document, published in November 2018, was prepared jointly by the IAEA and the ILO.
The workshop also focused on the Fundamental Safety Principles, the Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources: International Basic Safety Standards and the ILO Radiation Protection Convention No. 115.
The participants, from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela presented reports on the status of their national occupational radiation protection programmes.
During a visit to Brazil’s Institute of Radiation Protection and Dosimetry and exercises, participants gained hands-on experience in methods important to occupational radiological protection, including calibration, source retrieval, industrial applications and radon monitoring.
“The workshop increased knowledge and capacity in the region to promote coherent policies and safety standards for radiation protection of workers,” said Shengli Niu, Senior ILO Specialist on Occupational Health and Radiation.
The workshop was organized as part of an IAEA technical cooperation project that aims to strengthen Latin American and Caribbean Member States’ capabilities in radiation protection and emergency preparedness and response (RLA9085).
