Radiation Protection Challenges in the next decade IRPA's perspective

Transcription

1 Challenges for Radiological Protection for the next 50 Years Belgian Association for Radiological Protection April 2013 Radiation Protection Challenges in the next decade IRPA's perspective Roger Coates, IRPA Vice President On behalf of Renate Czarwinski, IRPA President 1

2 IRPA and Associated Societies What is IRPA? IRPA is an association of individual RP practitioners joining through national or regional societies. If you are a member of an Associate Society, you are a member of IRPA. 2

3 IRPA and Associated Societies What is IRPA? IRPA is an association of individual RP practitioners joining through national or regional societies. If you are a member of an Associate Society, you are a member of IRPA. YOU are Member of IRPA if you are a member of an Associate Society 3

4 IRPA Update - 48 Associate Societies - Representing 61 countries - Almost 18,000 individual members Value and strength of IRPA: Enormous resources of practical knowledge and experience in radiation protection and neighbouring specialist fields 4

5 The Pillars of Radiation Protection ICRU SCIENCE UNSCEAR IARC NCRP PRINCIPLES ICRP NEA/OECD EAN ISOE NERIS EURADOS IOMP PRACTICE IRPA ISO IEC UNEP WENRA STANDARDS IAEA, EC PAHO WHO ILO FAO

6 IRPA and Associated Societies IRPA Vision IRPA is recognized by its members, stakeholders and the public as the international voice of the radiation protection profession in the enhancement of radiation protection culture and practice worldwide.

7 IRPA s Key Challenges IRPA Vision IRPA is recognized by its members, stakeholders and the public as the international voice of the radiation protection profession in the enhancement of radiation protection culture and practice worldwide. The Principal Challenge: Making this Vision a reality

8 The international voice of the RP profession This needs improved and intensive links between IRPA, Associate Societies and individual members Eg How well can the Belgian Society get a view on a specific issue? How do we identify the issues? Scan the international horizon Feedback from practitioners Co-ordinate through a new IRPA Committee Specific issues dealt with through specific Task Groups But we need to be quick and responsive, and work as a team 8

9 Challenge: Eye Lens Dose Limit The BSS process which introduced a new eye lens dose limit was perhaps rushed? - Were the implications for application properly considered? - Many practitioners are concerned at the potential impact. Hence IRPA has established a Task Group (proposed and led by SRP) A report will be produced (urgently by May) on the principal issues faced by practitioners regarding the implementation of the new limit. Identify the appropriate course of action for IRPA to engage in the international discussions on the implementation issues. 9

10 Challenge: Communicating the System of Protection Fukushima showed that some elements of the System of Protection need review: - A recent ICRP Report identifies 18 issues Our system needs to be more easily understandable and based on sound ethical and social principles Further development of the system needs better input from the practitioners we are the ones who will have to communicate it: - IRPA is working with ICRP on engaging the practitioners: eg Ethics Workshops 10

11 System of Protection Ethical and Social values Key Issue: Practicability of the System of Protection Scientific stringency aligned with ethical, social and political values - but also culturally aligned Cooperation between IRPA and ICRP in investigating the ethical and social values underlying the System of Protection Essential: engagement and involvement of practitioners Workshops with Associated Societies (HPS, KARP, AIRP/SFRP ) Sessions in Regional and International IRPA Congresses 11

12 Challenge: Public Understanding of RP and Risk Helping members of the public understand radiation and risk is becoming central to our activities as RP professionals - but it is a very challenging activity. - It compliments our Stakeholder Engagement guidance - IRPA and Associate Societies are independent and can be trusted as a source of information 12

13 Public Understanding of RP and Risk (2) What do Associate Societies do at the moment? Where are the good ideas? We should share good practice. Examples: - Position Papers - Talking Heads - Press releases - Schools Events and media liaison - Talks service - Web site information - Public query service - Etc 13

14 Challenge: RP Culture A 3-4 year IRPA work programme is coming towards fruition - A new Guidance Document will shortly be available OBJECTIVES: - to foster a belief in the success of cultural approaches, - to provide guidance to help equip radiation protection professionals to promote a successful RP culture in their organisation and workplace WHY? Because embedding RP at a cultural level within an organization is by far the most effective way of delivering the performance to which we all aspire. 14

15 Challenge: Security of Sources Loss of control over a radioactive source anywhere in the world can result in harm or a threat, locally or in any other location. IRPA is developing a programme to help address this challenge. Objective: To support and encourage awareness and the development of a strong responsibility and suitable level of knowledge amongst radiation protection practitioners regarding the security of radioactive sources. 15

16 Other Priorities (1) Overall Challenge: Delivering IRPA s Programme To foster communication, the sharing of knowledge, and the building of competence concerning global safety matters between and within Associated Societies To support the establishment of effective Associate Societies and associated practices, with particular emphasis on less-developed countries 16

17 IRPA s Programme Other Priorities (2) To increase the efforts of IRPA to support young practitioners and scientists in their work in radiation protection, in their education and training, and in their efforts to become members of the radiation protection community 17

18 Summary: IRPA and Associated Societies We must be an effective global family of RP Practitioners: Promoting excellence in national and regional associate societies and radiation protection professionals Providing support, guidance and benchmarks of good practice Enhancing professional competence Providing exchange of information and facilitating networking Providing the interface and feedback between practitioners and the System of Protection 18

19 IRPA and You IRPA needs YOU and the Belgian Society to engage in all these activities. See you in: - Geneva, June th European IRPA Regional Congress - Cape Town, May th IRPA International Congress IRPA s 50 th Anniversary! 19