Target Audience

Individuals involved in the use, handling, storage, transportation, or supervision of ionizing radiation, radioactive materials, and radiation-emitting devices seeking to become licensed Radiation Protection Officers (RPOs) – Category A.

Course Duration

• 40 Hours

Course Structure

Module 1: Introduction to Radiation Protection and National Legal Framework

• Overview of Radiation Protection
• Roles and responsibilities of Radiation Protection Officers
• Detailed review of Bahrain’s Law No. 7 of 2022, especially:
  • Articles 49–61 (Ionizing Radiation & Licensing)
  • Article 53 (Licensing conditions)
  • Article 52 (Responsibility of license holders)
  • Article 54 (Council inspection rights)
  • Article 57 (Incident and dose reporting)
• Licensing and approval requirements for facilities and personnel

Module 2: Fundamentals of Ionizing Radiation

• Atomic structure and types of radiation (alpha, beta, gamma, neutron, X-rays)
• Units of radiation measurement (Bq, Gy, Sv, etc.)
• Radiation interaction with matter
• Principles of radioactive decay and half-life

Module 3: Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation

• Deterministic vs. stochastic effects
• Acute radiation syndrome (ARS)
• Long-term effects (cancer, genetic mutations)
• Radiation effects on pregnant women and fetuses

Module 4: Radiation Detection and Measurement

• Overview of radiation detectors
  • GM counters
  • Ionization chambers
  • Scintillation detectors
• Personal dosimetry and environmental monitoring
• Calibration and maintenance of radiation instruments

Module 5: Radiation Safety and Protection Principles

• The ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable)
• Time, distance, and shielding
• Radiation protection for workers, the public, and the environment
• Protective clothing and barriers
• Work planning and area zoning

Module 6: Regulatory Compliance and Licensing Procedures

• Licensing process under Article 50
• Council approval requirements (Article 51)
• Conditions for import/export and transport of radioactive materials (Article 53.4 & 53.5)
• Safety and emergency preparedness plans
• Reporting obligations (Article 57)
• Recordkeeping and documentation (Article 56)

Module 7: Radioactive Waste Management

• Classification of radioactive waste (short-lived vs. long-lived)
• Temporary vs. permanent storage (Article 59)
• Waste processing, packaging, and transport
• Return-to-sender obligations (Article 60)
• Reference values for release to the environment (Article 53.7)

Module 8: Emergency Preparedness and Response

• Types of radiation emergencies
• Emergency procedures and first response
• Notification and communication with the Supreme Council for Environment (Article 57)
• Radiation incident management
• Decontamination procedures

Module 9: Quality Assurance and Internal Management Systems

• Work procedures and SOPs
• Safety culture
• Quality assurance measures (Article 58)
• Internal audits and reviews
• Continuous improvement

Module 10: Case Studies and Practical Applications

• Real-life radiation accidents and lessons learned
• Hands-on detector usage
• Role-playing regulatory inspections
• Site and scenario-specific risk assessments

Assessment

• Written Exam (Multiple Choice + Scenario-Based Questions)
• Practical Assessment (Radiation measurements, PPE, emergency drills)

Certification

• Issued upon successful completion of the course and passing the exam.
• Required as a prerequisite for license application to the Supreme Council for Environment under Article 50.