4.

2 Manpower Requirement
In well-logging apart from employer, licensee, a qualified and a duly approved RSO
should be available. The RSO should create awareness about radiation safety among
other workers in the institution.

In well-logging, the engineers/technicians/operators who are involved in handling the

well- logging tool, work in the proximity of the sources as they are required to transfer
the source from the source container to the logging tool. Such personnel are likely to
receive radiation exposure during the source transfer operation and handling the tool
containing radioactive source.

The qualification and training requirements for the personnel engaged in handling of well-
logging sources, adequacy of number of such personnel should be in accordance with
requirements prescribed by the relevant authority. The suggested provisions are given in
Annexure-2.
4.2.1 Radiological Safety Officer (RSO)

The RSO should provide support to the licensee in ensuring compliance with the
requirements specified in the AERB Safety code on ‘Radiation Sources, Equipment
and Installations’ (AERB/RF/SC). The minimum qualification and training for RSO
should be as provided in Annexure-2.

The required number of Radiological Safety Officers for handling radiation sources
during well-logging operations are described below.

(i) Each well-logging base in operation, should have a Radiological Safety

Officer.
(ii) In case there are more than one RSOs at a base, the responsibilities of each
RSO should be well defined by the employer.
(iii) Each manufacturer/supplier of well-logging sources should have a
Radiological Safety Officer.
4.2.2 Operator

The minimum qualification and training for operators should be as provided in

Annexure-2.
 Annexure-2: Qualification, Training and Adequacy for Personnel
1. Radiological Safety Officer (RSO)

Minimum Qualification:

(i) Basic degree in Science from a recognized University/Institution

Or;
Diploma in Engineering from recognized University/Institution.

(ii) Successful completion of radiation safety certification i.e. ‘RSO Certification for
Nucleonic Gauges/Well-Logging Applications’ from an agency recognized by AERB.

2. Operator

Minimum Qualification:

(i) 10+2 science or an equivalent examination from a recognized Board/University;

Or
Diploma in Engineering from recognized University/Institution.

(ii) Successful completion of radiation safety certification i.e. ‘Operator Certification for Well
Logging Applications’ from an agency recognized by AERB.
 Additional Annexure 2: RESPONSIBILITIES
2.2 Responsibilities of Licensee and Employer
The person responsible for any facility or activity that gives rise to radiation risks should
have the prime responsibility for safety. The prime responsibility of ensuring radiation
safety in handling radiation sources should rest with the licensee who has obtained the
licence and this responsibility cannot be delegated.

The licensee and employer should:

(a) ensure compliance with all the applicable provisions of Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and
rules made thereunder, and stipulated requirements in regulatory documents/
conditions referred to or contained in the Licences or Safety Directives/Orders from
AERB or otherwise applicable;
(b) designate, with the written approval of AERB, a person having qualifications as
specified in this guide, as Radiological Safety Officer (RSO).
(c)ensure that relevant provisions of this guide are implemented by the RSO and other
worker(s);
(d) ensure that no person under the age of 18 years is employed as a worker and no
person under the age of 16 years is taken as trainee or as an apprentice for radiation
work;
(e)provide facilities and equipment to the RSO and other worker(s) to carry out their
functions effectively in conformity with the regulatory constraints;
(f) prior to employment of a worker, procure the dose records and health surveillance
reports, from his/her former employer. Also, upon termination of service of worker
provide his/her dose records and health surveillance reports on request to his/her
new employer;
(g) arrange for and maintain health surveillance of workers as specified under Rule 24
& 25 of Atomic Energy (Radiation Protection) Rules, 2004;

(h) arrange for personnel monitoring of radiation workers, proper implementation and
also to maintain the individual dose records as prescribed by the Regulatory Body;

(i) furnish to each worker dose records and health surveillance reports of the worker in
his/her employment annually, as and when requested by the worker and at the
termination of service;

(j) inform AERB if the licensee or the RSO leaves the institution;
(k) ensure that written procedures and plans are established for controlling, monitoring
and assessment of exposure for ensuring adequate protection of workers, members
of the public and the environment, during normal operation and emergency
situations;
(l) ensure that periodic safety status report of the facility in the prescribed format is
submitted to AERB;
(m) ensure that radiation monitoring is carried out in accordance with this safety guide;
(n) ensure that radiation monitoring devices are regularly inspected, maintained and
periodically calibrated at least once in two years and all systems/components are
regularly serviced and maintained in good working order as per the manual provided
by the manufacturer/ designer and records are maintained. Records should also be
maintained for replacement of components, if any;
(o) ensure periodic tests and inspections of safety systems and control mechanisms are
carried out; the records are maintained and are available for inspection by AERB;
(p) ensure that adequate instruction/training is given to employees concerning any
radiation hazards associated with their work, any precautionary measures necessary
to limit radiation exposure of persons and to avoid radiation accidents and injuries;
(q) ensure that necessary supervision is provided to all employees in the performance of
their work in accordance with the provisions of this safety guide;
(r) in consultation with the Radiological Safety Officer, investigate any case of exposure
in excess of regulatory constraints received by individual workers and maintain
records of such investigations;
(s) inform AERB promptly of the occurrence of actual or suspected radiation exposure of
personnel in excess of regulatory constraints in prescribed format followed by
reports of detailed investigations and follow up actions to prevent recurrence of such
incidents;
(t) inform AERB, within 24 hours, of any accident involving a source or loss/theft of
source of which he/she is the custodian;
(u) ensure that all applicable requirements of other relevant regulatory authorities are
met;
(v) make financial arrangement for disposal of disused sources sufficiently in advance;
(w) the radiation sources are used, stored, transported, routinely maintained and serviced
in accordance with the provisions of this safety guide;
(x) ensure that radiation warning labels and notices of appropriate form and size are
prominently displayed at the entrance of the source storage facility;
(y) ensure that Standard operating procedures (SOP) are developed and implemented
during operation of well-logging sources. This SOP should include specific Dos and
Don’ts;
(z) ensure that no person is permitted to operate the well-logging source unless he/she has
been adequately trained and is competent to operate it in accordance with the safety
procedures;
(aa) carry out physical verification of the radiation sources periodically and maintain
inventory including piptag sources;
(bb) inform appropriate law enforcement agency in the locality, employer and AERB in
case of any loss of source;
(cc) in case of permanent termination of the use of radioactive source/radiation generator
due to any reason, decommission/return the source to the supplier with prior
permission of AERB;
(dd) keep the documents/history of radiation sources in safe custody;
(ee) obtain prior permission of AERB in case of transfer of ownership of the radiation
source;
(ff) obtain prior approval from AERB for any modifications in the layout plan of the
source storage facility.

2.3 Responsibilities of Radiological Safety Officer

The role and responsibilities of RSO are elaborated below:

The Radiological Safety Officer should:

(a) ensure that the relevant provisions of Atomic Energy (Radiation Protection) Rules,
2004, are implemented;
(b) advice and assist the employer and licensee in ensuring regulatory compliance for
obtaining consent from AERB for procurement, use, transport or disposal of
radioactive material;
(c) implement all radiation surveillance measures including display of radiation symbol
and warning at the entrance door of source storage room and at appropriate location;
(d) advise licensee in establishing and maintaining an effective radiation protection
programme to ensure safety of workers, members of the public;
(e) train the operators, associated servicing /maintenance personnel and helpers/assistants
on basic radiation safety, hazard potential and biological effects of radiation;
(f) instruct operators/users and helpers/assistants on relevant safety measures, provide
adequate training in radiation protection and safety methodologies, use of personnel
monitoring devices (e.g. TLD badges);
(g) ensure that helpers/ assistants engaged for handling of heavy equipment spend
minimum possible time in the radiation area.
(h) verify that personnel monitoring devices are provided to radiation workers in the
facility, as applicable, used as required and are securely stored in radiation-free zone;
(i) ensure that radiation monitoring instruments are kept in proper working condition and
are periodically calibrated;
(j) assist the licensee in developing suitable emergency response plans to deal with
emergencies and ensuring appropriate emergency preparedness;
(k) conduct periodic radiation protection surveys and maintain records;
(l) maintain inventory of sources including initial and present activity, operational
logbook and associated QA records;
(m) furnish to the licensee and AERB periodic report on the safety status of the facility;
(n) investigate any situation that could lead to potential exposures and forward the report
to the licensee to be submitted to AERB;
(o) advise employer on physical protection measures;
(p) assist licensee in maintaining personnel monitoring records, analyse personnel
exposure records to ensure that there are no abnormal exposure trends;
(q) prepare the standard operating procedures (SOP) in-line with the instruction manual
provided by manufacturer/supplier, as applicable;
(r) assist licensee in arranging for periodic servicing and preventive maintenance as
prescribed by manufacturer/supplier and maintain records;
(s) assist the employer on safe disposal of disused sources;
(t) report on all hazardous situations along with details of any immediate remedial
actions taken are made available to the employer and licensee for reporting to the
Competent Authority;
(u) advise the licensee on the modification in the working condition of female worker
after her notification about pregnancy; and
(v) inform the Competent Authority when he/she leaves the employment or is relieved of
RSO role.
2.4 Responsibilities of Operators
Operator of the well-logging institution is the person who is directly involved in day-to-
day operation/use of the well-logging sources.
The operator of the well-logging institution should:
(a) get training in safe operation, preventive maintenance aspects of the well-logging
tools from authorized manufacturer/supplier including procedures for routine
operation and handling emergency situations;
(b) handle the well-logging sources as per the established Standard Operating Procedures
(SOP) prepared by RSO;
(c) follow all applicable rules and regulations for safe operation;
(d) maintain the logbook in respect of use and operation of the well-logging sources
including personnel details, dose rate, time taken in unloading of the source from the
container and loading it into the well-logging tool and vice versa;
(e) make proper use of protective equipment, radiation monitors and personnel
monitoring devices as provided;
(f) report to RSO/licensee of any unusual occurrence or suspected exposure above
normal levels or any operation related issues including the circumstances that could
adversely affect safe operation of the well-logging source and seek advice on remedial
action;
(g) be familiar with area security safeguards such as locks, posting signs, warning lights
and interlock systems; and
(h) in case of a female worker, on becoming aware that she is pregnant, notify the
employer, licensee and RSO in order that her working conditions may be modified, if
necessary.

2.5 Responsibilities of Manufacturer and Supplier

The manufacturer/supplier should:

(a) ensure that only Type Approved radiation sources are supplied to the user and the
terms and conditions of the Type approval are complied with;
(b) Adhere to the Terms and Conditions of Licence issued for manufacturing and
authorization for supply of the radiation sources.
(c) supply the well-logging sources only to the users authorized by AERB;
(d) provide information to the user in respect of make, model, Sr. No., details of the
radiation sources and activity on a specified date, leak test certificate of sealed source,
dose rate, etc;
(e) provide servicing and maintenance of the radiation sources (e.g., leak test of the
source) whenever required;
(f) undertake the responsibility for providing technical support in disposal of disused
radiation sources; and
(g) take back the sources supplied by them after they become decayed or disused for
disposal.