Abstract
At a time of significant developments in the use of ionizing radiation in medicine and power generation, the radiation protection profession is facing the challenge of enhancing safety culture throughout the world.
As the voice of radiation protection professionals, the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA) has initiated a process for promoting radiation protection and safety culture. This chapter presents general theories of organizational culture and discussions from three IRPA workshops organized in Europe, Asia and the United States.
We present an outline of how these theories correspond to specific values and beliefs underlying a safety culture. We posit that there is no difference in the basis of a radiation protection culture among the various radiation-using sectors, whether it is medicine, nuclear power generation or industry.
Radiation protection focuses on people and behavior (culture) to prevent harm to individuals when radiation or radioactive materials are being used; radiation safety focuses on system design to allow the use of hazardous equipment or materials without harming individuals and the environment. A radiation protection culture is an underlying requirement to successful implementation of radiation safety.
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Notes
- 1.
“Safety professionals” are well-educated, experienced persons who recognize, evaluate and control risks to people, property and the environment from a variety of hazards that may include radiation. “Radiation protection professionals” are well-educated, experienced persons who recognize, evaluate, and control radiation-related risks to people, property and the environment. In a healthcare facility, this would include methods to prevent, control, or reduce the exposure of staff, patients, and the public [11].
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Classic, K., Le Guen, B., Kase, K., Vetter, R. (2014). Safety and Radiation Protection Culture. In: Lau, L., Ng, KH. (eds) Radiological Safety and Quality. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7256-4_15
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7256-4_15
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