Integrated approach to Occupational Radiation Protection - international perspective

Introduction Radioactive sources are used throughout the world for a wide variety of applications in medicine, industry, agriculture, research, and education. There is an increasing number of workers that can incur radiation doses attributable to their occupation. This session will provide an international perspective of the application of the radiation protection system to workers' protection, focusing on an integrated approach to occupational health when radiation exposure is a workplace hazard.  Methods: The session will address the following topics:   - Integration of radiation protection into safety culture. The importance of safety culture for occupational health will be emphasized, discussing the specific elements of a radiation protection culture, and how they can be integrated into a general safety culture.   - Risk assessment and management. Different scenarios where exposure to radiation in the workplace can take place will be discussed, highlighting the need to integrate radiation risks to the overall occupational health programmes (e.g. health care settings, nuclear industry, extractive industry, others).    - Radiation safety standards and occupational health. The international radiation basic safety standards (BSS), and their provisions relating to occupational exposure,  will be described.  In many cases the competent authority for radiation safety in the workplace is different from the authority responsible for general occupational safety and health. Strategies to improve harmonization of regulations will be discussed.   Expected results: Invited speakers will address the topics described. Contributed papers will also be solicited  and included in this session as appropriate. Time will be provided for a concluding discussion between the audience and a panel of the invited speakers.   Discussion: Occupational radiation protection programmes should be established and managed in co-ordination with other health and safety disciplines through an integrated approach to ensure an appropriate level of protection of workers under planned, existing and emergency exposure situations.