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Regulatory Compliance and University Policies

General Radiation Practicing License

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) holds a Radiation License in Research and Education Practice issued by the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission (NRRC), the Competent Authority on Radiation Protection in Saudi Arabia. All use of radioactive material and radiation producing equipment at KAUST must follow the conditions in the license and applicable national laws as regulated by the NRRC. All activities involving radioactive sources or ionizing radiation devices, including their use, introduction, or operation, require prior approval from the National Regulatory Commission for Radiation Control (NRRC).

overview

The National Radiation Protection
Competent Authority in Saudi Arabia

The Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission (NRRC) is an independent government organization established by royal order in April 2018. The NRRC is responsible for supervising and controlling all works related to the use of atomic energy and the resultant radioactive waste. It acts as the Competent Regulatory Authority for all aspects relating to regulations, rules, national limits, and licensing for the use of ionizing radiation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The legal framework and the basic reference for any practice involving ionizing radiation in Saudi Arabia are explained by the promulgates of the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission (NRRC).


Available resources include:

Legislative Framework
The Law on Nuclear and Radiological Control The Law on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage The Status of the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission (NRRC)

Responsibility and Authority

Authorized Person

The authorized person is defined as an individual at the senior management level with sufficient authority for both financial and human resources thus have the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that a radiation safety program is implemented in accordance with all regulatory requirements. The authorized user delegates duties for the day-to-day oversight of the RSP, but not accountability, to the university appointed Radiation Safety Officer (RSO).

The authorized user:
  • Takes overall responsibility for compliance with NRRC on behalf of KAUST President;
  • Appoints the university’s Radiation Safety Officer.

Institutional Radiation Safety Committee (IRSC)

The Institutional Radiation Safety Committee (IRSC) is composed of faculty members, Radiation Safety Officer, and individuals representing administrative functions who have been appointed to establish policies and procedures for the use of ionizing radiation at KASUT, including:

  • Approve procedures and forms governing the use of ionizing radiation at KAUST;
  • Review and approve, disapprove, or amend all proposals for use of ionizing radiation.
  • Conduct continuing review of proposals at regular intervals as required by NRRC;
  • Ensure that research activities are within the license limits;
  • Ensures that KAUST management is adequately informed of its responsibilities on matters related to radiation safety, the status of the program, and problems that require management attention;
  • Review and discuss incidents related to the use of ionizing radiation;
  • Have the authority to suspend research in case of non-compliance and dangerous behavior;
  • Recommend actions in areas where national regulations are absent.

Radiation Safety Officer (RSO)

The implementation of the Radiation Safety Program is carried out by the certified Radiation Safety Officers (RSO) who has been approved by the Competent Agency.

The Radiation Safety Officer is the NRRC’s authorized representative regarding radiation safety within the jurisdiction of KAUST's radioactive material license and is responsible for day-to-day management and implementation of the Radiation Safety Program.

The role of the RSO is to provide specialized guidance, consultation, and assistance to the research group, radiation users, and other university departments.

Some of the main RSO responsibilities consist of:
  • Drawing up the overall framework of the RSP and supervising its implementation;
  • Suspending the use of ionizing radiation if unsafe or unacceptable conditions exist that needs to be fixed or changed before the work can continue and referring to the IRSC for further actions.
  • Managing the university radiation practice license;
  • Serving as a Liaison with the NRRC
  • Implementing the policies and procedures approved by the University Radiation Safety Committee;
  • Ensuring that all activities involving the use of ionizing radiation are performed in compliance with the University RSP and applicable national regulations.
  • Oversee all radioactive materials uses, including monitoring and surveying of all areas where radioactive materials are either used or stored;
  • Ensuring that radioactive doses are kept As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA). Within the facility, the RSO is responsible for ALARA and implementing an ALARA program;
  • Approving and monitoring all procurement and shipment of radioactive substances

Health, Safety, and Environmental

HSE implements the campus radiation safety program and ensures regulatory compliance and safety in the use of radiation and radioactive materials. The program includes audits of all authorizations for the use of radionuclides and Radiation Producing Equipment (RPE).

Specific functions of HSE includes, but is not limited to:
  • Providing radiation-safety training and services.
  • Supporting the RSO in implementing the regulatory regulations.
  • Reviewing ionizing radiation related incidents in coordination with the RSO.
  • Providing administrative assistance with correspondence, record-keeping requirements and document management associated with the radiation license.
  • Providing financial resources to meet NRRC expectations and address non-compliance, such as for personnel training and for purchasing radiation monitoring equipment or other equipment.