An intensive professional development training course on
Radiation Safety & NORM Management in Upstream and Downstream Oil & Gas
Protecting Workers, Assets, and the Environment from Radiological Hazards in Petroleum Operations
Why Choose Radiation Safety & NORM Management in Upstream and Downstream Oil & Gas Training Course?
The Radiation Safety Course in Upstream and Downstream Oil & Gas provides essential knowledge for managing Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) that accumulate during petroleum exploration, production, processing, and transportation. As NORM levels increase through industrial activities, facilities across drilling operations, pipelines, refineries, and terminals face heightened risks that must be controlled to protect workers, assets, and the surrounding environment. This training course outlines how radiation forms within oil and gas systems and offers practical strategies for managing exposure and contamination across all operational stages.
The NORM Management Training ensures participants gain a clear understanding of radiological hazards, regulatory expectations, and industry-approved safety practices. Through structured discussions and real industry examples, participants explore how upstream and downstream operations can strengthen compliance, reduce operational risk, and improve overall safety performance. The course highlights the importance of identifying exposure points, deploying monitoring systems, and embedding protective measures that safeguard employees and infrastructure.
Designed for modern petroleum environments, this Radiation Safety Course integrates global standards, local regulations, and proven management practices. Participants engage with practical tools for NORM detection, safe waste handling, and incident prevention. By the end of the training, they gain the capabilities needed to support an effective radiation safety culture, ensuring operational continuity and regulatory alignment throughout the oil and gas value chain.
What are the Goals?
The NORM Management Training aims to equip professionals with the skills and knowledge required to identify, assess, and manage radiological risks in petroleum operations. The goals reflect best practices in hazard prevention, compliance, and sustainable radiation safety.
By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:
- Understand how NORM forms and behaves across oil and gas processes.
- Identify radiological hazards in upstream and downstream facilities.
- Conduct radiation risk assessments and apply appropriate control measures.
- Ensure compliance with national and international regulations governing NORM.
- Use radiation detection and monitoring tools effectively in the field.
- Manage contaminated materials and equipment following approved disposal processes.
- Promote a radiation safety culture focused on accountability and continuous improvement.
Who is this Training Course for?
The Radiation Safety Course in Upstream and Downstream Oil & Gas is designed for professionals responsible for safety, compliance, and operational performance across petroleum activities. It is suitable for teams managing field operations as well as specialists overseeing radiation protection and environmental integrity.
This training course is ideal for:
- HSE managers and safety officers overseeing operational risk.
- Drilling and production engineers working in NORM-prone facilities.
- Radiation protection officers responsible for compliance and monitoring.
- Facility and operations supervisors managing frontline teams.
- Environmental and waste-management specialists.
- Regulatory and compliance officers aligned with radiation protection standards.
- Industrial hygienists and health specialists in field operations.
- Maintenance and inspection technicians dealing with contaminated equipment.
How will this Training Course be Presented?
The NORM Management Training uses a balanced combination of theoretical learning and applied practice to ensure participants gain both conceptual knowledge and operational capability. The course structure promotes engagement through scenario-based activities, case analysis, and interaction with industry-experienced facilitators.
Participants explore real-world incidents, conduct simulated assessments, and collaborate on practical solutions that mirror field conditions. This approach enhances retention while reinforcing the skills required to manage radiation safely across upstream and downstream operations.
Methods include:
- Expert-led presentations supported by practical field insights.
- Group-based discussions analysing NORM challenges and solutions.
- Case studies highlighting regulatory and operational best practices.
- Scenario-based exercises to apply radiation monitoring and control measures.
The Course Content
- Basics of ionizing radiation and radioactive decay
- Classification and properties of NORM
- How and where NORM forms in oil & gas processes
- Common NORM isotopes in oil and gas: Radium-226, Radium-228, Lead-210, Polonium-210
- Real-world examples of NORM issues in upstream and downstream operations
- Introduction to international standards and guidelines (IAEA, IOGP, etc.)
- Biological effects of radiation exposure on workers
- Environmental impacts of NORM release or mismanagement
- Radiological risk assessment: pathways, dose limits, and exposure scenarios
- Principles of ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable)
- Detection and monitoring tools: gamma survey meters, dosimeters, sample collection
- Interpreting NORM survey data and radiation mapping
- International regulatory frameworks (IAEA, ICRP, IOGP)
- Country-specific regulations: permits, licensing, thresholds
- Responsibilities of license holders and operators
- Record-keeping and reporting obligations
- Worker training and rights under radiation protection laws
- Communication with regulators and stakeholders
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) and protective measures in NORM zones
- Engineering and administrative controls
- Handling, transport, and storage of contaminated materials and equipment
- Decontamination processes: chemical, mechanical, and procedural
- Waste categorization, packaging, and disposal routes
- Case study: Decommissioning NORM-contaminated facilities
- Integrating radiation safety into HSE management systems
- Conducting site-specific NORM safety audits and gap assessments
- Developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for NORM tasks
- Emergency preparedness and response planning for radiation incidents
- Training and communicating with frontline personnel
- Final group exercise: Designing a site-specific NORM management plan
Certificate and Accreditation
- AZTech Certificate of Completion for delegates who attend and complete the training course
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