The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is authorized, by its Statute, to establish Safety Standards for protection of health and minimization of danger to life and property, and to provide for the application of those Standards at the request of Member States. In addition, the IAEA is also appraising the compliance of these Standards in Member States. For many decades, the role of the Agency in improving and harmonizing global radiation safety infrastructure has been indispensable. The International Basic Safety Standards (GSR Part 3) has been in the pivotal role and represent the international benchmark for radiation safety and stipulates safety requirements applicable to all facilities and activities involving exposure to ionizing radiation. Programmes have been undertaken in providing a high level of safety to workers, patients, public and the environment. Subsequent to the establishment of GSR Part 3, development of adequate supporting guidance is of top priority. Recently, a set of comprehensive Safety Guides have been published and prominent ones are a) Occupational Radiation Protection, GSG-7; b) Radiation Protection and Safety in Medical Uses of Ionizing Radiation, SSG46 and c) Radiation Protection of the Public and the Environment, GSG-8. The new guidance provided for the itinerant workers, female workers during and after pregnancy, exposure to natural sources etc would greatly facilitate in implementing the protection and safety requirements worldwide. Several technical meetings are being organised to address the radiations safety issues in medical uses of ionizing radiation in particular on issues related to justification, accidental unintended exposures and recurring medical exposures. Existing exposure situations pose greater challenges in dealing with natural sources, exposure in post-nuclear or radiological emergency, exposure due to commodities containing radionuclides. Food and drinking water in non-emergency situations have been a subject of concern in terms of harmonization and interpretation of Standards. IAEA is currently engaged in adressing these issues with the active cooperation of International Organizations (FAO and WHO) and Member States. Agency has also undertaken revison of the guidance on Exemption and Clearance that is of priority for most regulatory bodies, operating organizations and public at large. The IAEA also offers Peer-Review Missions or Appraisal Services (IRRS, ORPAS, ARTEMIS) and Advisory Missions and there is a strong demand for these by Member States. The presentation will discuss the new guiance documents and provide some details Peer-Review Missions or Appraisal Services.
Peter JOHNSTON joined the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in September 2015 as Director, Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety, Department of Nuclear Safety and Security, IAEA. Previously he was Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Radiation Scientist of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, 2009-2015 and Professor of Applied Nuclear Physics and Head of Physics at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) 1989-2009. During his career he had a long association with the Rehabilitation of the Former Nuclear Weapons Test Sites in Australia.
Peter JOHNSTON has published more than 100 papers in international refereed journals as well as 3 Book Chapters. These publications span a wide range of physics including radiation physics, ion beam physics, environmental radioactivity, medical physics and health physics. He supervised 11 PhD students and 12 Research Masters to completion. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics (UK), Australian Institute of Physics, Australian Radiation Protection Society and a Member of the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine.