Risco e Segurança nas Aplicações das Radiações Ionizantes

Objectives

The curricular unit aims that the students understand the concept of risk, including its perception, evaluation and communication, the technical (including basic concepts of safety analysis strategies) and administrative principles of safety. Through the analysis of case studies the students will acquire competences in the application of the concepts to the analysis of risk and safety in different types of nuclear, medical and industrial facilities, in the transport of nuclear and radioactive materials. Orientation about the development of the Radiological Protection Programme and Emergency Plans of those facilities will prepare the students for these essential practical issues of radiological protection.

Syllabus

1. Concept of risk. 2. Perception, evaluation and communication of risk. 3. Nuclear and radiological safety concepts. 4. Risk and safety in nuclear installations (examples: nuclear reactor, cyclotron). 5. Deterministic and probabilistic safety analysis 6. Risk and safety in medical and industrial installations (examples: radiotherapy, industrial irradiators, radiography). 7. Risk and safety in the transport of radioactive and nuclear materials. 8. Radiological Protection Program, Emergency Programs.

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge on biological effects of ionizing radiation and physics of radiation

Cross Competence Component

1. Critical and innovative thinking (to be demonstrated during the theoretical-practical lessons and the seminar by developing evaluation strategies for potential risks in the application of ionizing radiations, implementation strategies for safety measures, evaluation of incidents and accidents, methods of rapid dose calculation strategies for accidents, etc.)
2. Global citizenship (to be demonstrated during the theoretical-practical lessons and the seminar by showing awareness of the need for: responsible use of radiation sources with evaluation of risk vs. benefit, reduction of radiological effects for the present and future generations) Soft skills count 15% in the final grading (see above).

Ethical Principles

All members of a group are responsible for the group´s work. In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used. In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.