Management and Control of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM)

Natural resources that are extracted from the ground such as coal, oil, natural gas and other mineral ores contain various amounts of natural radioactivity. When these resources are extracted and processed, their natural state can be modified which may result in the enhancement of the natural radioactivity content originally present. Such enhancements may be observed in the residues or the waste created and/or in the products or by-products and are sometimes high enough to pose a risk to workers, members of public and the environment if they are not controlled properly. Materials of this kind are commonly referred to as Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material or NORM. The International Basic Safety Standards (GSR Part 3) establishes requirements for industrial activities involving NORM. For the application of the IAEA Safety requirements on NORM activities, consideration needs to be given to radiation protection of workers, the public and the environment for a wide range of industrial activities on a global basis. This e-learning course provides guidance based on GSG-7 on fulfilling the requirements of GSR Part 3 with respect to worker protection in industrial processes/operations involving NORM.The course includes 15 modules and covers:Overview of natural radionuclides and NORM;Overview of the industrial activities involving NORM and an indication of those that are most likely to require regulatory consideration;Guidance on regulatory control (focusing on the application of a graded approach);Radiation protection issues for workers and the public associated with materials containing NORM;Guidance on the characterization of NORM and the assessment of exposures;Guidance on the management of NORM residues and the disposal options for NORM wastes;Guidance on the transport of NORM.This e-learning course was funded under the IAEA Regional Technical-Co-operation Project on Enhancing National Capabilities on Occupational Radiation Protection in Compliance with Requirements of the International Basic Safety Standards (RAS/9/080).Before taking this course, participants are advised to complete the training on Occupational Radiation Protection based on General Safety Guide No. GSG-7.