Radiological Training Information
Which Level of Training is Right for You?
The level of training you need is generally based on the need for access to certain locations on the site. A qualification called "General Employee Radiological Knowledge" is required for employees, subcontractors, guests, users, and others who may need routine unescorted access to the accelerator site. The minimum training for awarding this qualification is General Employee Radiological Training (GERT). All Jefferson Lab employees are encouraged to take GERT. Go to the web-based training page and take the online course. The course can be taken from any computer with a web browser and Flash plugin. The course contains a quiz and will automatically update your training records when you have completed the quiz and entered the personal information requested at the end.
The Radiological Worker I (RW-I) qualification is required for personnel whose activities require them to routinely enter Radiologically Controlled Areas. Group Leaders and supervisors please note: You should NOT require people in your group to obtain Radworker qualification becuase they "might" have to enter a Radiological Area. You should make this a requirement only for people who are likely to need access to these areas on a routine basis. In other words, the determination should be made on the basis of individual need. You should avoid establishing group policies requiring RW-I training, unless it is clear that all personnel in the group require this qualification. These policies are generally not consistent with the ALARA approach. If a non-Radiation Worker needs access to a Radiological Area on an infrequent basis, the best approach is to use the "escorted visitor" method. This approach makes the best use of the Lab's resources by preventing the unnecessary cost of procuring, issuing, tracking and handling of dosimetry devices, and generation and retention of radiation exposure records.
The RW-I qualification can be satisified by two courses. The first is the regular RW-I classroom session. This course is offered at least quarterly. The class lasts 8 hours. This course is designed for personnel who are new to the Lab and/or have not been trainied in radiation safety before. It is strongly recommended that all Radworker candidates attend this course as "initial" training. The second course is the RW-I online course. The online course can be taken from any computer with a web browser and Flash plugin. This course is designed for persons who are requalifying or transferring a qualification from another facility. You can take the course by going to the web-based training web page. If the online training is not feasible for you to take, a copy of the Radworker training study guide can be downloaded or obtained in hard copy from Radcon or the User Liaison Office (ULO) for self-study. After completing the course, you must take the final exam at the ULO or Radcon field office (you may also be required to participate in a practicum, depending on your last date of training).
Persons whose work may involve entry into Contamination Areas need the Radiation Worker-II qualification. The class that provides it can be taken as a module by qualified Radworkers. These classes are presented on request as the need is identified. Call Keith Welch at 269-7212 for information.
RadCon qualifications expire on the calendar date, two years from the date of the last training completion. The maximum allowable extension of your qualification is 30 days, at your supervisor's request. If you are a Radiation Worker, possession of a TLD does not authorize you to enter radiological areas once your training has expired. Reminders of upcoming training expiration are provided if the training is a part of your required qualifications. However, the responsibility for maintaining training qualification rests with the employee and his/her supervisor. Check TotalLMS for more information. If you are a RadWorker, and your training expires, the following things will occur:
- Your authorization to enter Radiological Areas is immediately revoked.
- Your TLD badge will be pulled, and will not be reissued unless your supervisor requests an administrative extension of your training.
To attend a RadWorker class, you MUST register, by using TotalLMS or by calling Bruce Ullman at 269-7170. If you are a user call the User Liaison Office at 269-7687.