National Policy Framework for Radiation Safety in Cyprus: Analysis & Needs

1. Regional Workshop on National Strategies for Education and Training (E&T) in Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety: Policy Framework and Analysis of E&T Needs 5 - 7 October 2016, Nicosia, Cyprus cyprus Results of the home exercise to establish a Policy Framework SESSION 3 - Policy Framework Radiation Inspection and Control Service Department of Labour Inspection Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance 1493 Lefkosia (Nicosia), Cyprus Tel. . +357 22405650 or +357 22405623 Fax +357 22662785 Website: www.mlsi.gov.cy/dli

2. Introduction (1) Regulatory Authority for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety: the Minister of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance (established in 2002) • Acts through the Radiation Inspection and Control Service (RICS), Department of Labour Inspection (DLI) MAIN SCOPE OF RICS/DLI • Protection of health of the workers, the public and the patients from the risks arising from the use of ionising radiation • Protection of the environment and property from risks due to the release of radioactive materials from activities in medicine, industry, constructions, research and education. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES OF RICS/DLI • Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety • Security of Sources (nuclear security) • Import/export/transit control - Illicit trafficking control • Licensing, Enforcement, Inspection • Radioactive Waste Management • Emergency Preparedness and Response • Safeguards - Combating radiological/nuclear terrorism • Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring E&T

3. Introduction (2) • Comprehensive system for radiation protection and nuclear safety • Cyprus does not operate any nuclear installations fuel (i.e. nuclear power plants, research reactors, nuclear waste treatment facilities, cyclotrons etc.) or uranium or thorium mines • No past unregulated practices leading to possible chronic scenarios • No post-accidental scenarios (national or transboundary) • No manufacture of radioactive sources • No spent fuel or radioactive waste treatment or disposal facilities • Main use of ionizing radiation: • Medicine (diagnosis and therapy) • Industry • Research • A graded approach is reflected in the implementation of the national policy and strategy for safety, taking into account the magnitude of the radiation risks associated with facilities and activities and the principles of justification, optimisation and dose limitation • The use of nuclear energy for the generation of electric power is not considered by the Government in the country’s energy mix in the foreseeable future • The manufacture, possession, import, export, transport, handling, use etc. of ionizing radiation sources and all practices involving possible exposure to ionizing radiation, including the construction and operation of nuclear installations, need prior authorization • The Regulatory Authority conducts inspection and enforcement activities, on a regular and systematic manner, for all sources and practices in the country

4. Introduction (3) • The Protection from Ionising Radiation and Nuclear Safety Laws of 2002 to 2011 • Harmonised with the EU Acquis and IAEA safety standards • To be revised by 2017/18 under the framework of the new BSS and Nuclear Safety Directives • Regulations issued under the Laws • Basic principles (BSS) • Medical exposure • Informing the Public about Measures to be applied in Case of Emergency • Supervision and Control of Shipments of Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel • Control of High-activity Sealed Radioactive Sources and Orphan Sources • Responsible and Safe Management of Spent Fuel and Radioactive Waste • Protection of the Health of the General Public from Radioactive Substances in Water Intended for Human Consumption • EURATOM Treaty and all relevant EURATOM Decisions and Regulations • International Conventions, Treaties, Agreements, Protocols, etc. • Standards, Codes etc. for international transport of radioactive materials • Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources + SG

5. Introduction (4) • RICS/DLI coordinates or ensures the existence of educational, scientific or other type of organizations for the purpose of providing of instructions for, or the education or training of apprenticeship or of other relevant services in respect of protection against risks from radiation. • E&T requirements exist in the national framework for: • Staff of the Regulatory Authority • Personnel with specific responsibilities or functions in radiation protection: • Qualified Experts (“Radiation Protection Experts) • Radiation Protection Officers • Health Professionals: • Medical Physicists (“Medical Physics Experts”) • Radiological medical practitioners • Medical radiation technologists (e.g. radiographers, nuclear medicine technicians, diagnostic technicians) • Radiopharmacists • Referring medical practitioners; etc. • Workers • the primary responsibility for the training of the occupational exposed workers is with the employers/registrants/licensees • Other personnel • involved or associated with activities involving radiation (e.g. EPR personnel).

6. Introduction (5) • Small size of the country/small market with limited applications/numbers of workers, prevents: • the development and provision of dedicated specialized programmes by academic institutions • the development of certifying education and training organisations. • Training abroad: • higher costs • time away from work • may not be customized to the national framework and specialised needs • Training programmes: • organised internally within undertakings • offered by Qualified Experts, hired by undertakings when such education and training capability is not available internally, to employees dealing with practices with ionising radiation • universities, both public and private • professional associations (radiographers, veterinarians, dentists, medical doctors, medical physicists etc.) • private training institutes or other individuals approved by RICS/DLI • Projects and networking of the International Atomic Energy Agency and of the European Union (EURATOM), other international or European organisations/agencies • Bilateral agreement on technical and training support between DLI and the Greek Atomic Energy Commission

7. Overview on the draft Policy document 1. Background • 1.1 Applications with ionizing radiation in Cyprus – Current situation • Regulatory Authority - Responsibilities/Powers • Applications with ionising radiation • Capabilities in E&T • E&T requirements for various categories of personnel • 1.2 National legal and regulatory framework for E&T in radiation protection and nuclear safety • Brief description of the regulatory framework • Legislation – Ref. Part 1.4. and Table I of the Annex • International instruments - Table II of the Annex • Provisions of legislation on E&T - Table III of the Annex • Interface with the IAEA and EU standards -Tables IV and V of the Annex. • 1.3 The importance of appropriate education and training of personnel • Expertise and skills; adequate levels of competence • Continuous learning process • Training programmes and training plans • Procedures for periodic review and updating of the training programmes • Appropriate budgetary provisions for training. • Development of safety culture • Measures to promote and enhance an effective radiation protection and nuclear safety culture. • Personnel appropriately educated and trained • 1.4 Relevant provisions of existing legislation

8. Overview on the draft Policy document • 2. Responsibilities, Commitments and Obligations • National strategy for education and training in radiation protection and nuclear safety • Part of the national policy and strategy for safety in the country • Aims at building and maintaining an appropriate level of competence, commensurate with the range of facilities and activities associated with ionising radiation in the country • Influenced by the available national infrastructure and human resources. • Considers national needs, national resources and capabilities for education and training • E&T delivered in an optimum, effective and timely manner. • Periodic evaluation of the efficacy of programmes • Keeps programmes updated and in line with the expectations of the RA • Responsibilities of the Government • Responsibilities of the Regulatory Authority • Obligations and commitments of the operators and other relevant stakeholders • Statement on long-term commitment of all relevant stakeholders • Statement on stakeholder involvement and collaboration

9. Overview on the draft Policy document 3. National Strategy for Education and Training • Building competence in radiation protection and nuclear safety • Analysis of the four phases: • 3.1 Assessment of education and training needs • 3.2 Design of an education and training programme • 3.3 Development and implementation of the education and training programme • 3.4 Evaluation of the education and training programme

10. Overview on the draft Policy document 4. Relevant Stakeholders • Stakeholders identified: • The Government • The Regulatory Authority • Other relevant stakeholders: • institutions offering academic programmes • medical schools that build the competence of health professionals who are responsible for protecting patients • professional organisations and technical support organisations, • education and training providers, etc. • E&T programmes can be complemented by other activities, such as: • Train-the-trainer activities aimed at building training capability • Strengthening programmes relevant to radiation protection and safety provided by educational providers (e.g. universities); • Establishing training centre(s)

11. Overview on the draft Policy document 5. Advising and Monitoring Mechanisms • Regulatory Authority provides advice to the Minister and the Government • The Minister also may be advised on education and training matters on radiation protection and nuclear safety by the Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Council • The Minster may appoint any person as his adviser, in respect of any matter covered by the Law, including education and training matters • The Regulatory Authority shall have an appropriate mechanism in place to monitor the implementation of the national strategy on education and training, e.g. a technical working group. • The composition to be decided

12. Moving towards a National Policy/Strategy • The need for establishment of a national policy/strategy for education and training • To have a more systematic approach to build competence, considering the actual education and training needs (present and future) • To ensure that the proper skills are acquired and further expertise and skills are developed and maintained • To achieve a strong radiation protection and nuclear safety culture • effective management systems • appropriate education and training • arrangements by the license holder to register, evaluate and document internal and external safety significant operating experience and effective resolution of issues that have been raised • To strengthen and further develop the legal and regulatory framework for education and training inn radiation protection and safety • To optimize national resources: • establishment /development of training centres/providers, developing of training courses/material, etc.) • complementing with IAEA support

13. Moving towards a National Policy/Strategy (2) • To promote and enhance an effective radiation protection and nuclear safety culture • Measures to be taken by RA and the license holders may include, in particular: • management systems • priority to radiation protection and nuclear safety • promote, at all levels of staff and management, the ability to question the effective delivery of relevant protection and safety principles and practices • report in a timely manner on safety issues • arrangements by the license holder to register, evaluate and document internal and external protection and safety significant operating experience • the obligation of the license holder to report events with a potential impact on protection and safety to the Regulatory Authority • arrangements for education and training

14. Moving towards a National Policy/Strategy (3) • To comply with the requirements of legislation (establishing policies or strategies, courses/programme in radiation protection) • RICS coordinates or ensures the existence of educational, scientific or other type of organizations for the purpose of providing of instructions for, or the education or training of apprenticeship or of other relevant services in respect of protection against risks from radiation • To comply with IAEA Safety Standards

15. Way Forward (1) Next steps for the establishment of the policy and strategy on education and training in radiation, transport and waste safety • Harmonisation of legislative framework with the recently reviewed IAEA standards and EURATOM Directives (BSS, Nuclear Safety) • RPE, MPE, RPO, E&T requirements (e.g. personnel dealing with medical exposure, emergency situations), safety etc. • Adoption of a strategic approach based on national needs and national resources • Expression of long-term commitment of all relevant stakeholders • Finalization of the policy document • Involvement of other relevant stakeholders to draft the Policy • Approval/endorsement of the final Policy document by the Minister • Communication of the approved policy document to the relevant bodies that are required to take actions for the implementation of the national strategy • Development of the National Strategy • Exploration of ay support that can be provided by IAEA to facilitate the establishment of the Policy/Strategy

16. Way Forward (2) • Re-assessment of education and training needs • Re-design a national E&T programme that meets all identified needs • Identified education and training needs to be matched with an appropriate methodology • Pre-requisite experience and/or qualifications for trainers to be specified and guidance to be provided on content, format and preparation of training materials • Requirements for training facilities to be set • Measures to ensure that all staff of all interested parties having responsibilities relating to radiation protection and nuclear safety in their installations and to on-site emergency preparedness and response arrangements, undergo a continuous learning process • Establishment of procedures for periodic review and updating of the training programmes • Establishment of management systems • Development of monitoring and evaluation mechanism

17. Conclusions • E&T matters are covered by the existing legislation and various E&T activities have taken place over the past years; however a formal policy for the establishment of a national strategy on E&T in RP&NS was not made possible to be put in place up to now • Challenges to be faced • Harmonisation of existing legislation with recent IAEA standards and EURATOM directives poses an additional challenge to be faced in near future. • Development of a comprehensive national policy and strategy on E&T • Re-assessment of education and training needs • Re-design a national E&T programme that meets all identified needs • Identified education and training needs to be matched with an appropriate methodology • Pre-requisite experience and/or qualifications for trainers to be specified and guidance to be provided on content, format and preparation of training materials • Requirements for training facilities to be set • Establishment of procedures for periodic review and updating of the training programmes • Establishment of management systems and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms • Template for the policy very well guiding and informative, covers the whole range of necessary content • Documentation recommended to help drafting the national policy very comprehensive and informative