ISLAMABAD, Aug 1: The Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) plans to strengthen interaction with its license-holders, using radioactive sources and radiation apparatus to promote a culture of safety, said officials at the conclusion of a training course.

The two-day training course, ‘Radiation Workers in Radiation Protection and Regulatory Requirements in Industrial Radiography,’ was part of PNRA’s initiative for creating awareness among the public as well as radiation workers about the harmful effects of radiation and the precautions and procedures to avoid such effects.

The use of radiation sources in Industrial Radiography can lead to serious incidents, in case proper radiation safety measures are not taken while operating radiography equipment, officials warned.

Currently, 35 companies and organizations are registered with the PNRA for non-destructive testing (NDT). Various types of radioactive sources and radiation apparatus are used in NDT, which is finding increased use as a quality control tool.

The PNRA has been inspecting most of these organizations annually, but a few were left out because of what officials described as “shortage of manpower and unavoidable circumstances.” However, they were quick to reassure that no accident or serious damage had been reported at these sites.

The executive member of PNRA, Muhammad Shakilur Rehman, said the prime responsibility for protecting the workers, the public and environment from the ionising nuclear radiations rested with the organization operating the equipment.

However, he said, the workers who are exposed to these radiations, need to protect themselves by following the safety culture in their assignments.

Experts from the PNRA delivered lectures on related topics, such as ‘Basic safety requirements in industrial radiography,’ ‘safety and security of radioactive material,’ ‘emergency preparedness and national regulatory requirements in industrial Radiography.’