Content of CLEAPSS courses for LA officers

Radiation Protection Officers    Back to course list

A one-day course for local education authority officers

This course is available only to Local Authorities who have joined the CLEAPSS Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) Service. It is designed for the LA’s Radiation Protection Officer (RPO), who is the intermediary between the CLEAPSS RPA and the schools. The RPO passes advice from the RPA on to schools and monitors the situation to ensure that the advice is implemented. Before the course, delegates should familiarise themselves with the CLEAPSS guide L93 Managing Ionising Radiations and Radioactive Substances.

The course explains the CLEAPSS RPA service and provides an opportunity to meet with other RPOs. Practical work includes the nature of ionising radiation, radioactive sources, inspections and leak tests. Associated legislation and guidance is explained. The important monitoring role of the RPO is emphasised, with opportunities to discuss real situations which may be encountered in schools.

A typical programme for the day is as follows.

• Introduction – including background to the CLEAPSS RPA service.
• Justifying the use of ionising radiation in school science.
• Nature of the hazard.
• Practical 1 - Storage, identification of radioactive sources and their use in schools.
• Legislation; duties and responsibilities.
• Guidance for schools – CLEAPSS publications and the CLEAPSS Helpline.
• Responsibilities and functions of the RPA, RPO and school staff.
• Practical 2 - Inspection, leak and contamination checks, spills.
• Work as an RPO – administration, record keeping and liaison with the RPA.
• Rare (but real) scenarios in schools, including disposal.
• Questions, evaluations, feedback.

Click for the:

CLEAPSS Primary Home Page

CLEAPSS Secondary Home Page

CLEAPSS Welcome Page