This Safety Report contains the findings of extensive research in terms of the lessons that can be learned from accidents which have occurred in industrial radiography, both in developed and developing countries. The review was carried out by a team of regulatory authorities, manufacturers and safety advisers. The objectives were to draw lessons from the initiating events of the accidents, the contributing factors and the consequences, and to identify several measures that, if implemented, would improve safety performance in industrial radiography.
The purpose of this publication is to present the results of a review of accidents in industrial radiography which have either been reported to regulatory authorities or to professional associations, or been published in scientific journals. Use of ionizing radiation in medicine, industry and research for technical development continues to increase throughout the world. Although this industry has a good safety record, there is a potential for accidents with serious consequences to human health because of the high dose rates produced by these sources. Five fatal accidents occurred between 1975 and 1994. Such accidents have prompted the present review, carried out by a team of manufacturers, regulatory authorities and operating organizations. Having closely looked at the circumstances of each accident, the apparent deficiencies in design, safety and regulatory systems, and personnel performance, the team made a number of recommendations. The findings of extensive research pertaining to the lessons that can be learned from irradiation accidents are presented.
This publication addresses the chronology of events and circumstances of the radiological accident in Ventanilla, Peru, in February 2014. The information includes a detailed description of the international assistance provided by the IAEA, the health consequences and dose assessment for, and the medical management of the affected individual. This information and the lessons learned from the accident, relating to its circumstances, the notification, medical response, dose assessment and response at national and international levels are key aspects for Member States to consider when analysing their response procedures to radiological emergencies. The intention is to aid the and identification of necessary actions to be implemented in order to avoid or prevent potential similar accidents.
This Safety Report is a review of a large number of events that may serve as a checklist against which to test the vulnerability of a facility to potential accidents, and to provide a basis for improving safety in the use of radiation in medical applications. Furthermore, it is intended to encourage the development of a questioning and learning attitude, the adoption of measures for the prevention of accidents, and the preparation for mitigation of the consequences of accidents, if they occur.
Under the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear or Radiological Emergency, the Peruvian authorities requested assistance from the IAEA in relation to the radiological accident that occurred during non-destructive testing using a nuclear radioactive source in the district of Chilca, Peru, in 2012. This assistance related to dose assessment and medical management of those involved in the accident was provided during 2012 and 2013. The report gives a detailed account and analysis of the event, as well as, the actions taken in order to assist organizations responsible for radiation protection, source safety and emergency preparedness and response in identifying lessons to be learned that may help to prevent similar accidents.
Although radiation accidents are rare and often complex in nature, they are of great concern not only to the patient and involved medical staff, but to the media and public as well. Yet there are few if any comprehensive publications on the medical management of radiation accidents. Medical Management of Radiation Accidents provides a complete refe
Major radiation accidents cause widespread and common psychosocial problems independent of cultural, ethnic, political, and socioeconomic aspects of the location of the accident. As a doctor, nurse, or emergency room staff you are the first line of defense when these accidents happen. New developments over the past several years enable physicians to enhance survival and ease the discomfort of patients injured by radiation. The Medical Basis for Radiation-Accident Preparedness: The Clinical Care of Victims presents the current state-of-the-art in radiation medicine and focuses on the practical issues of importance to the clinicians and nurses who have responsibility for diagnosing, treating, and caring for the radiation-accident patient. Topics range from dose assessment to socioeconomic considerations, with extensive analyses of treatment options for exposure to different parts of the body. As a special feature, the work supplies case histories of six recent significant radiological accidents and also includes bibliographic references and index. You don't know when you may be involved in treating radiation-accident patients. In today's uncertain world, it could happen at any time. Drawing on the expertise of a wide variety of contributors, both within and outside of the field of radiation management, The Medical Basis for Radiation-Accident Preparedness: The Clinical Care of Victims provides further insight into the complex care and teamwork needed in the management of the acutely injured patient.
This Safety Report summarizes good and current state of the art practices in industrial radiography and provides technical advice on radiation protection and safety. It contains information explaining the responsibilities of regulatory authorities, operating organizations, workers, equipment manufacturers and client organizations, with the intention of enhancing radiation protection and safety.
CRC Handbook of Management of Radiation Protection Programs, 2nd Edition, is unique in that it offers practical guidance for managing various aspects of radiation protection programs ranging from the daily operation of a health physics office to the preparation of radiation experts for court appearances as professional witnesses. The book also covers such topics as organization and management of nonionizing radiation safety programs (with special emphasis on laser safety programs) and management of radioactive waste, personnel monitoring programs, radiation accident victims, internal exposure, relative radiotoxicity and radiation therapy patients. Other chapters discuss handling radiation accidents and education and training requirements for radiation protection. Legal aspects covered in the book include the history of radiation court cases, legal implications of record keeping, and preparation for court appearances. CRC Handbook of Management of Radiation Protection Programs, 2nd Edition will be a valuable reference resource for medical and health physicists, industrial hygienists, physicians, nuclear engineers, radiation protection regulators, radiation emergency management agents, radiation safety committees, and managers of facilities using ionizing and nonionizing radiation sources.
