Keele Science Learning Centre

This one-day course is for the school Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS), i.e. the person responsible for managing the safe storage, use and monitoring of radioactive sources in the science department. The RPS will normally be a member of the teaching staff, often the Head of Physics. Any teacher who uses radioactive sources will also benefit. See CLEAPSS leaflet PS75, which explains why the RPS should be a teacher.

The course is based on the CLEAPSS guide L93 Managing Ionising Radiations and Radioactive Substances. It includes practical demonstrations and answers questions frequently asked on the CLEAPSS Helpline. There are opportunities to raise issues and to ask specific questions.

Topics covered include:

• legislation and guidance
• nuclear physics, radioactivity and radiation - teaching and resources
• storage of radioactive substances
• using radioactive sources to demonstrate the properties of ionising radiations
• doses and biological effects of ionising radiations
• radiological protection and its management
• responsibilities of the RPS, including Local Rules
• different types of radioactive sources and their care (including preparing sources for half-life investigations)
• monitoring and record keeping
• Disposal of radioactive sources.