Radiation Safety
Working Safely with Radiation and Contamination
Radiation Safety
Radiation Safety
The demand for trained radiation workers is growing rapidly, just as drawdowns in the military are choking off the most reliable supply of trained, experienced workers. Community colleges are trying to take up the slack, but the demand still outstrips the supply. Companies need trained workers today, not in six months.
That’s where TSI comes in. We’ve based our radiation worker training program on almost 20 years of experience in the Naval nuclear program, followed by over 20 years in the civilian radiological workforce. We not only know how to do the job, we know how to teach others to do the job, safely, and efficiently.
As the work continues to grow, both in decommisioning older facilities and the construction of new ones, the demand for Radiation Control Technicians grows as well. The DOE has a long established core curriculum that is designed to take new employees and give them the required knowledge to handle the functions of an RCT. At TSI, we’re proud to be able to administer the DOE RCT core exam, as well as help people prepare for it.
The tabs to the right will introduce you to our training programs in Radiation Safety. If you have any questions, please give us a call and we’ll be happy to answer them.
Radiation Control Technician
The Department of Energy has created a core curriculum containing all of the information they expect a new Radiation Control Technician to have mastered. The curriculum includes self study guides, lesson plans, and a full exam bank. All of the study materials are available for free, either here, or at the DOE website.
TSI is working with major companies in the field to have our certification accepted as equivalent to their own. In many cases, companies require RCT new hires to complete the RCT training all over again, going through their own course. They simply don’t trust other companies to do the training right, or to craft an exam that truly covers the material. In some cases, different divisions within the same company will require new hires to take their version of the exam. It can get to be a real mess. So why would you want to take your exam here?
First, because having completed a certification anywhere lets prospective employers know that you can pass the exam. Second, because TSI is developing a strong reputation in the field for excellence and integrity. Our long term relationship with some of the biggest names in the business demonstrates that out programs are effective, and that the employees who complete our training are capable, effective, and easy to train to the site specific requirements.
RCT Exam
TSI gives the RCT Core exam on a monthly basis at our facility in East Tennessee. We do not offer an online version of our exam because DOE rules require that the exam be proctored and there is no effective way for any organization to effectively proctor an exam like this over an on-line setting.
We are examining the possibility of giving the exam over web conferencing or video conferencing, but for now, all testing will be done in our facility.
The exam is a one day exam, and takes roughly 8 hours to complete, and covers material from phase 1a and 1b from the DOE Core Curricula. It is a multiple choice exam and the minimum passing score is 80%.
Students who attend our classroom sessions will be able to take the test once for free. Retests will be given at the normal price.
Students taking the exam will be allowed to use a calculator, but no other reference material. Any references needed will be provided at the time of the exam.
Purpose: To provide students with the basic knowledge and techniques required by the DOE to begin work as a Radiation Control Technician
Training Length: 100 hours
Prerequisites: None
Training Modules: The Radiation Control Technician Course materials were developed and disseminated by the DOE and are provided free of charge to anyone interested in studying the materials. The following links are to Word formatted self study guides prepared by the DOE. TSI provides these as a courtesy to our customers.
Phase 1A
Module 1: Fundamental Math
Module 2: Unit Analysis and Conversion
Module 3: Physical Science
Module 4: Nuclear Physics
Module 5: Sources of Radiation
Module 6: Radioactivity and Radioactive Decay
Module 7: Interaction of Radiation with Matter
Module 8: Biological Effects of Radiation
Module 9: Radiation Protection Standards
Module 10: ALARA
Module 11: External Exposure Control
Module 12: Internal Exposure Control
Module 13: Radiation Detector Theory
Phase 1B
Module 1: Radiological Documentation
Module 2: Communications
Module 3: Counting Errors and Statistics
Module 4: Dosimetry
Module 5: Contamination Control
Module 6: Air Sampling
Module 7: Respiratory Protection
Module 8: Radioactive Source Control
Module 9: Environmental Monitoring
Module 10: Access Control and Work Area Setup
Module 11: Radiological Work Coverage
Module 12: Shipment and Receipt of Radioactive Materials
Module 13: Radiological Incidents and Emergencies
Module 14: Personnel Decon
Module 15: Radiological Considerations for First Aid
Module 16: Radiation Survey Instrumentation
Module 17: Contamination Monitoring Instruments
Module 18: Air Sampling Equipment Module 19: Counting Room Equipment
Classroom Training
Radiation Control Technician is an intense 21 day classroom course that will prepare a new student to take on the job and responsibilities of a Radiation Control Technician. This course fulfills Phase 1 a and b of the DOE core requirements.
The class is usually scheduled as a one day a week class to allow greater flexibility for those who are wanting to add the skills to their resume while they are currently working. However, we also offer the course as an intense 3 week course 2-3 times a year.
We also have the capability of bringing the course to your facility. Our instructors can come to your location to give the training, a great option if you have 8 or more employees you wish to train,
We also have Spanish language instructors if needed.
Call or email for our current schedule.
Radiation Worker 1 and 2
DOE recognizes two levels of radiation worker. Level 1 workers (RW1) can work in radiation areas, but may not work in any area where they may be exposed to airborne or surface contamination, nor may they open or handle open containers of radioactive material. Radiation Worker 2 employees (RW2) have no such restrictions. The classroom instruction for both classifications is very similar, however, RW2 employees do additional practical training in wearing and working in anti-contamination clothing.
Purpose: To prepare employees working in radiologically controlled areas
Training Length: 8 hours for RW1, 20 hours for RW2
Prerequisites: None
Training Modules: The DOE has created student guides for Radiation Worker Training. RW1s are expected to master the material in Modules 1-8. RW2s must master all 9 modules. The DOE study guides are freely available from the DOE website, and are reproduced here for your convenience.
Module 1: Radiological Fundamentals
Module 2: Biological Effects of Radiation
Module 3: Radiation Dose Limits and Administrative Control Levels
Module 4: ALARA Programs
Module 5: Personnel Monitoring Programs
Module 6: Radiological Access Control and Postings
Module 7: Radiological EmergenciesASPxHyperLink
Module 8: High/Very High Radiation Areas
Module 9: Radioactive Contamination Control