In this episode Robert Blackley, Senior Health Physicist and Radiation Services Manager at ANSTO joins host Mark Reggers to discuss ionising radiation.

Ionising radiation is the energy produced from natural or artificial sources in the form of waves or particles. It has enough power to change the composition of substances it interacts with by breaking their chemical bonds. Although radiation has many useful applications in industry and medicine, over-exposure can be detrimental.

Guest Bio:

Robert Blackley (pictured left) is the Manager of ANSTO’s Radiation Services at ANSTO. He is responsible for the provision of radiation safety services to a large variety of industries both within Australia and overseas. Robert leads the radiation consultancy, radiation safety training and instrument calibration groups, providing radiation safety services to the mining, environmental, government, oil and gas, medical and private industries.

He has extensive skills in compliance monitoring, contaminated land characterisation, radiological surveys, monitoring for Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM), waste characterisation, transportation, decontamination, source disposals, emergency response and delivery of radiation safety training.

Robert holds a Bachelor of Science and Diploma of Business. He has worked in the radiation protection industry for 20 years.

In this episode, Mark & Robert discuss the following:

• What is radiation, and are there different types?
• What is the difference between radiation and something being radioactive?
• How are radioactive materials used to benefit society?
• What are some of the different types of radiation?
• Are there different kinds of radiation exposures?
• When is exposure a health risk, and when does it become a concern?
• Can you health monitor radiation exposures?
• How do you protect workers from ionising radiation?
• What do you do daily in your role as a radiation protection advisor?
• What key takeaway points would you want to leave for our listeners today about ionising radiation?
• Where can listeners go to get further information on ionising radiation?

Employed in a broad range of industries, ionising radiation benefits many people and society, whether it’s due to medical treatments, production efficiencies in various industries, or simply providing better security screening at borders. Radiation hazards and exposure are in many ways similar to other types of occupational dangers around us; however, it can be used safely, provided the right controls measures are in place. Tune in as we look at ionising radiation, its uses, risks and management to ensure the safety of workers and members of the public.

Additional Resources:

• Podcast Transcript
• ARPANSA – Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency
• ANSTO – Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation
• ARPS - Australasian Radiation Protection Society Inc
• OHS Body of Knowledge – Chapter 24 Ionising Radiation

Contact a 3M Safety Specialist at scienceofsafetyanz@mmm.com for more information.