CHAPTER IV

REQUIREMENTS FOR RADIATION PROTECTION EDUCATION, TRAINING AND INFORMATION

General responsibilities for the education, training and provision of information
Article 14
1
Member States shall establish an adequate legislative and administrative framework ensuring the provision of appropriate radiation protection education, training and information to all individuals whose tasks require specific competences in radiation protection. The provision of training and information shall be repeated at appropriate intervals and documented.
2
Member States shall ensure that arrangements are made for the establishment of education, training and retraining to allow the recognition of radiation protection experts and medical physics experts, as well as occupational health services and dosimetry services, in relation to the type of practice.
3
Member States may make arrangements for the establishment of education, training and retraining to allow the recognition of radiation protection officers, if such recognition is provided for in national legislation.

Training of exposed workers and information provided to them
Article 15
1
Member States shall require the undertaking to inform exposed workers on:
a
the radiation health risks involved in their work;
b
the general radiation protection procedures and precautions to be taken;
c
the radiation protection procedures and precautions connected with the operational and working conditions of both the practice in general and each type of workstation or work to which they may be assigned;
d
the relevant parts of the emergency response plans and procedures;
e
the importance of complying with the technical, medical and administrative requirements.
In the case of outside workers, their employer shall ensure that the information required in points (a), (b) and (e) is provided.
2
Member States shall require the undertaking or, in case of outside workers, the employer, to inform exposed workers on the importance of making an early declaration of pregnancy in view of the risks of exposure for the unborn child.
3
Member States shall require the undertaking or, in case of outside workers, the employer, to inform exposed workers on the importance of announcing the intention to breast-feed an infant in view of the risks of exposure for a breast-fed infant after intake of radionuclides or bodily contamination.
4
Member States shall require that the undertaking or, in case of outside workers, the employer, provides appropriate radiation protection training and information programmes for exposed workers.
5
In addition to the information and training in the field of radiation protection as specified in paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4, Member States shall require that the undertaking responsible for high-activity sealed sources shall ensure that such training includes specific requirements for the safe management and control of high-activity sealed sources with a view to preparing the relevant workers adequately for any events affecting the radiation protection. The information and training shall place particular emphasis on the necessary safety requirements and shall contain specific information on the possible consequences of the loss of adequate control of high-activity sealed sources.

Information and training of workers potentially exposed to orphan sources
Article 16
1
Member States shall ensure that the management of installations where orphan sources are most likely to be found or processed, including large metal scrap yards and major metal scrap recycling installations, and in significant nodal transit points, are informed of the possibility that they may be confronted with a source.
2
Member States shall encourage the management of installations referred to in paragraph 1 to ensure that where workers in their installation may be confronted with a source, they are:
a
advised and trained in the visual detection of sources and their containers;
b
informed of basic facts about ionising radiation and its effects;
c
informed of and trained in the actions to be taken on site in the event of the detection or suspected detection of a source.

Prior information and training for emergency workers
Article 17
1
Member States shall ensure that emergency workers who are identified in an emergency response plan or management system are given adequate and regularly updated information on the health risks their intervention might involve and on the precautionary measures to be taken in such an event. This information shall take into account the range of potential emergencies and the type of intervention.
2
As soon as an emergency occurs, the information referred to in paragraph 1 shall be supplemented appropriately, having regard to the specific circumstances.
3
Member States shall ensure that the undertaking or the organisation responsible for the protection of emergency workers provides to emergency workers referred to in paragraph 1 appropriate training as provided for in the emergency management system set out in Article 97. Where appropriate, this training shall include practical exercises.
4
Members States shall ensure that, in addition to the emergency response training referred to in paragraph 3, the undertaking or the organisation responsible for the protection of emergency workers provides these workers with appropriate radiation protection training and information.

Education, information and training in the field of medical exposure
Article 18
1
Member States shall ensure that practitioners and the individuals involved in the practical aspects of medical radiological procedures have adequate education, information and theoretical and practical training for the purpose of medical radiological practices, as well as relevant competence in radiation protection.
For this purpose Member States shall ensure that appropriate curricula are established and shall recognise the corresponding diplomas, certificates or formal qualifications.
2
Individuals undergoing relevant training programmes may participate in practical aspects of medical radiological procedures as set out in Article 57(2).
3
Member States shall ensure that continuing education and training after qualification is provided and, in the special case of the clinical use of new techniques, training is provided on these techniques and the relevant radiation protection requirements.
4
Member States shall encourage the introduction of a course on radiation protection in the basic curriculum of medical and dental schools.