This course is usually held once every year in mid-December. Depending on the enrolment number, the course may be offered again in June. Any worker who works in approved Controlled/Supervised Radiation Area (CRA) or works with irradiating apparatus must be a Designated Radiation Worker (DRW). He/she can be designated and awarded a certificate by attending this course and passing the examination. The certificate is considered by the Radiation Board as evidence for appropriate training on radiation protection for licensing purposes. Anyone who is interested in radiation protection, though who may not be working with radiations, is also welcomed.

The course aims at providing the applicants with practical experience in handling radioactive substances and basic techniques and philosophy in radiation protection. It consists of five 2-hour lectures, three 2-hour practical session, one hour of tutorial and one hour of examination. A certificate will be awarded upon passing the examination.

A brief outline of the course is given below.

CONTENTS

1. Review on Basic Radioactivity
2. Basic Dosimetric Quantities
3. Biological Effects of Radiation
   3.1 Sequence of events in radiation damage.
   3.2 Stochastic effects.
   3.3 Deterministic effects.
4. Philosophy of Radiation Protection
   4.1 Sources of radiation.
   4.2 Current concept of protection.
   4.3 Dose limits for occupational exposure.
5. External Hazard
   5.1 Nature of the hazard.
   5.2 Calculation of dose.
   5.3 Reduction of dose by time, distance and shielding.
6. Internal Hazard
   6.1 Nature of the hazard.
   6.2 Incorporation routes.
   6.3 Elimination of radionuclides from the body.
   6.4 Radiotoxicity and annual limits on intake, ALI.
   6.5 Protection from hazard.
7. Radiation Surveys and Personnel Monitoring
   7.1 Radiation surveys.
   7.2 Personnel monitoring.
8. Waste Disposal
9. Legislation and administration

For further information, please call
Tel: 2859 2547; Fax: 2559 5557 or e-mail: riunit@hku.hk