Initiative on RP culture

International Radiation Protection Association

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Why IRPA ?

Role of IRPA:Be the voice of RP professionals TO PROVIDE A MEDIUM FOR

COMMUNICATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF RADIATION PROTECTION THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

TO ENCOURAGE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATIONS DEDICATED TO RADIATION PROTECTION

RP Culture Initiative

We are observing significant development in the use of ionising radiation in the medical field and a nuclear industry revival throughout the world,

The generation who developed the radiation protection principles and methods that are applied today is gradually retiring. As this change occurs, we must maintain a high

degree of competence and to continue making progress in radiation protection

The use of radiation sources in new sectors, companies or countries requires the development of a radiation protection infrastructure in those areas.

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The Initial Proposal At the IRPA12 Congress in Buenos Aires in October 2008,

the French Society for Radiation Protection (SFRP) proposed to launch an IRPA initiative for enhancing Radiation Protection (RP) culture among the RP professionals worldwide.

This proposal was very favourably received by the participating delegates and the IRPA Executive Council decided to actively support this initiative.

Subsequently, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the European ALARA Network (EAN), the Health Physics Society (HPS), the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) and the Image Gently Alliance also expressed their interest and support

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WHY RP CULTURE?

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To give visibility to the fundamentals of RP (science and values) To promote radiation risk awareness To promote shared responsibility among practitioners, operators, management and regulators To maintain the RP heritage To facilitate its transmission To improve the quality and effectiveness of RP To contribute to the general safety

First Actions

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The Austrian (OVS), French (SFRP), German (FS) and Swiss (ARRAD) Societies met in Strasbourg, France, in May 2009 to discuss RP culture and identify preliminary relevant topics.

The Spanish Society SERP) organized a meeting in Madrid in June 2009 to discuss organizational RP culture.

1st IRPA Workshop in Paris

25 participants Representatives of 9 IRPA European

Societies : Austria Belgium France Germany Italy Poland Spain Switzerland United Kingdom,

Representatives from WHO and EAN 7

Discussion Questions from Paris

What are the elements of the RP culture and how could we define it?

Is it possible to assess the RP culture and what could be the criteria?

How to engage the stakeholders (regulators, operators, professional organizations…) in the process of developing RP culture.

What is the role of IRPA and its associate societies in promoting an RP culture?

What are the criteria for success?8

RP Culture and Safety Culture

Protection focuses on people and behavior (culture) to prevent harm to the worker and others when hazardous equipment is being operated.

Safety focuses on the system design to permit hazardous equipment to be used without harming the worker.

Protection culture is necessary to implement safety.

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IRPA Perspective

Approach to management is from the professionals and includes:JudgmentRelationship with management and the workforceRelationship with the regulatorsInvolvement of other relevant stakeholders

Engagement with management on developing the Culture within the facility or institution

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What is Meant by Culture?

The ideas, beliefs and customs that are shared and accepted by people in a society.

That complex whole, which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, customs, values, symbols, rituals and any other capabilities and habits, acquired by people as members of society that determine appropriate attitudes and behavior

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Features of a Culture

Central value Typical and specific structure Strong ethos kept in leaders

(ethos: the fundamental and distinctive character of a group, social context, or period of time, typically expressed in attitudes, habits, and beliefs)

System of continuation (education) – transfer of knowledge and expertise

Endurance Combination of innovation and conservation Social acceptance 12

Key Elements of RP Culture

IRPA Workshops Knowledge

Values and ethics ( i.e Equity)

Behaviour

Experience

Principles : justification, ALARA, limitation

History of RP

Adapted from INSAG Individual awareness

Questioning attitude Rigorous and prudent approach Communication

Knowledge and competence Commitments Motivation Supervision Responsibility

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First Proposals for a Definition of RP Culture

1. The term “RP culture” means the way in which RP is founded, regulated, managed, performed, preserved, and perceived in the workplace, in medicine, and every day’s life and reflects the attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, goals, and values that all parties involved share in relation to RP.(Strasbourg meeting, May 2009)

2. The term “RP culture” means the way in which RP is founded, regulated, managed, performed and preserved by professionals but also reflects the attitudes, beliefs, perceptions and values that they share in relation to RP.

(Paris workshop, December 2009)14

First Proposals for a Definition of RP Culture

3. Radiation Protection Culture is that assembly of characteristics and attitudes in organizations and individuals which establish that, as an overriding priority, radiation protection issues receive the attention warranted by their significance. (Adapted from INSAG by SRP & Kase, June 2010)

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Passing on Culture

Culture is learned, passed on and changed by:A pattern of basic assumptionsThe cultural paradigmGroups of people who have shared significant problems,

solved them, observed the effects of their solutions, and who have taken in new members

Basic assumptions that serve to stabilize a group and are highly resistance to change

Culture is a stabilizing function when taught to new members

(Adapted from Mayo Clinic paper on safety culture, Classic)16

Organizational Culture

Organizational structure institutionalizes how people interact with each other, how communication flows and how power relationships are defined. It also reflects the value-based choices made by the company

In a total safety culture, employees not only feel responsible for their own safety, they feel responsible for their peers’ safety, and the organizational culture supports them acting on that responsibility.

(Adapted from Mayo Clinic paper on safety culture, Classic)17

Evolution of a Safety Culture

Three main developmental systems: Basic compliance system –safety training programs, work

conditions, procedures and processes comply with regulations. This is passive compliance.

Self-directed safety compliance system –workers ensure regulatory compliance and take personal responsibility for training and other regulatory provisions. This emphasizes active compliance with the regulations.

Behavioral safety system –teaching individuals to scan for hazards, to focus on potential injuries and the safe behavior(s) that can prevent them, and to act safely.

(Adapted from Mayo Clinic paper on safety culture, Classic)

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Enhancing RP Culture is a Process

Additional consultations are needed to achieve some consensus agreement on the general approach and methodology.

IRPA is committed to work toward achieving a final set of Guidelines that incorporates approaches from different countries and regions of the world, from medicine, industry and regulators.

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Today

The Second IRPA International Workshop on Radiation Protection Culture

Thursday & Friday, 10-11 February 2011, Charleston, South Carolina, USA

20 Sponsored by HPS, AAPM, Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediatric Imaging

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International Radiation Protection Association

http://www.irpa.net

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