Professional Info

Interview

Shri. Triloki Nath Mishra, Editßor, Radiographer's Journal had a talk with Shri Om Pal Singh, Secretary, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, Mumbai. The talk was as follows :

Sir, What are the newer steps taken by AERB to improve safety in diagnostic radiology? OPS : In order to improve the radiation safety in diagnostic radiology, AERB has introduced the following measures :
1) Training of X-ray Service Engineers.
2) Radiation Safety Awareness Programmes for radiographers.
3) Steps have been initiated to approve Radiological Safety Officers (RSO) in diagnostic departments.
4) Registration of X-ray installations.
5) Notices are being issued periodically in newspapers regarding "Statutory Requirements for the Safe Operation of Medical X-ray Machines" for the last 3 years.
6) AERB has published Radiological Safety Bulletin on Medical X-ray Diagnostic Radiology (English and Hindi) and more than 2000 copies have been circulated to Diagnostic Departments/ Radiographers all over the country.

TNM : Taking the safety point and newer modalities in this field, into consideration, don't you think that the Radio-technologists should be trained thoroughly by Govt. authorities?
OPS : Yes. I agree. Training of Radio-technologists on medical techniques is being imparted by institutions recognised by Medical Council of India

TNM : Which are the recognised training Institutes for Radio-technologists in Maharashtra and India?
OPS : In each state there are several training institutes in India recognised by Medical Council of India. AERB recognizes those technicians who fulfill the qualifications prescribed in the Safety Code for Medical Diagnostic X-Ray Equipment and Installations [AERB/SC/MED-2 (Rev.1)].

TNM : What is the authenticity of the technical courses run by private Institutions? Which is the Govt. body to keep watch on such Institutions?
OPS : Medical Council of India (MCI) is the authority regarding courses related to Medical subjects.

TNM : Don't you think that the untrained Radio-technologists expose themselves to heavy dose of radiation and also spread it to the society while working on machines? If yes, what precautionary steps are taken by AERB in this connection?
OPS : It is the responsibility of the owner of the X-ray installation to employ trained manpower in the X-ray installation and ensure, by following proper procedures and providing proper shielding in the installations, the safety of radio-technologists as well as public. The steps taken by AERB to improve the safety at X-ray installations are stated above in point No.1

TNM : AERB says "Risks, if any, due to radiation exposures to X-ray workers are negligible." It means 'may be negligible, but the risk is involved'. Why no recommendations are made by AERB for risk allowance to Radio- technologists?
OPS : All safety measures are adopted in radiation installation to keep the individual dose to As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA). With these measures, the dose never exceeds the acceptable limit. In fact, it remains far below the prescribed limit. Risk involved in the normal operation of X-ray installation is less than the risk involved in many other professions. Therefore, Radiation Protection Rules do not provide for any risk allowance. Even the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) do not support such allowance.

TNM : Whether the govt. is contemplating to set up state level Directorates and permit them to frame safety rules against radiation?
OPS : Enforcement of radiological safety stipulations for medical X-ray equipment and installations, in all the X-ray installations spread all over the country is an enormous task. Therefore, AERB has requested all the State Governments to set up Directorate of Radiation Safety under the direct supervision of Health Ministry in order to implement Radiation Protection Rules laid down by AERB. The Government of Kerala has set up the agency in consultation with AERB.

TNM : Why no independent council is yet established for Radiological Technologists, to regulate the practices and education involved in this field ? What is AERB's opinion in this regard ?
OPS : Medical Council of India is the appropriate body to respond to this question. However, AERB has prescribed qualification for X-ray technologist in the Code as: "a qualified X-ray technologist should have passed 10 + 2 or equivalent examination with science subjects from a recognised board and radiographer technologist course of minimum one year duration (including in-field training in diagnostic radiology)". The enforcement part of this lies with Medical Council of India

TNM : What procedure is observed by AERB for recruitment of an RSO in any Institution?
OPS : The persons suitable for RSO should have passed Level-1 Training Course in Radiation Safety and follow specified instructions from AERB. For the recruitment of a RSO in any institute, the institute nominates one of its eligible employees such as a radiologist/medical physicist/qualified radiographer, as RSO and put it up for approval by AERB. AERB scrutinises the proposal and if found to meet the norms, issues the certificate of approval of RSO.

TNM : Is regular medical examination of radiation workers recommended by AERB? If yes, is it followed properly by Institutions?
OPS : Medical examination is recommended by AERB as provided for in Radiation Protection Rules for all the radiation workers once in a year. All institutions where radiation sources are being used are required to follow this.