Re: 1-week RSO's

[azapantis@mgdestmx01.erin.gov.au]

>Do you as a RADSAFER feel that a 1-week RSO course is all that should be
>required for some RSO positions?

For some positions, yes, a one week course is enough. I don't know how it works
in the USA, but here in Australia, at least in the state of Queensland where I
have worked in the statutory authority, people nominated as RSOs must be
approved by the statutory authority. There are a couple of week courses offered
by universities in Queensland which have in the past been examined by the
regulators and deemed appropriate. People doing these courses would be eligible
for "simple" RSO positions, eg where the licence is for use of Soil Density and
Moisture Gauges, borehole logging, industrial radiography. Completion of these
courses with a tertiary qual in physics and relevant experience would probably
be appropriate for nuke med applications. 

The one week course would not be appropriate for RSO positions with a broader
responsibility, such as University RSOs.

Bottom line: the regulator should decide the level of training/education
required for a person to be able to meet the responsibilities of a PARTICULAR
RSO position.

Just my probably misinformed opinion!!
 

Alex Zapantis                                  
Environmental Radiation Officer     
Office of the Supervising Scientist		
40 Blackall Street 														
Barton ACT 2600 AUSTRALIA 
            
Email: azapantis@dest.gov.au
Fax : (int+) 61 6 274 1519
Phone: (int+) 61 6 274 1642

The Office of the Supervising Scientist is a Branch of the 
         Federal Environment Protection Group