Sierra Leone: Radiation Protection Board Trains Industrial Workers

Concord Times (Freetown)

16 February 2011

Freetown — The Radiation Protection Board Secretariat has completed a two-day training session for technicians, engineers and safety officers at the WBHO and Dawnus construction sites at Bumbuna and Rogbere respectively. The training was part of an ongoing sensitization programme for occupationally exposed workers in the mines.

Executive secretary of the secretariat, Josephus Kongo, said the training was part of the secretariat's mandate to inform the users of these equipments of the risks involved. He said the use of these equipments, though helping to make their work simple, also poses some risks which can be minimised. He advised the workers to take precautionary measures to minimise the risk.

Mr. Kongo also informed the trainees that the risk involved in the use of ionizing radiation sources was the reason behind the establishment of the board and its secretariat. He further explained that the accidents involved in the use of these devices were both short and long term but that they can be avoided if they were adequately trained and safety precautions taken.

Deputy executive secretary, John Jabati, told the trainees that while they were doing their duties they should take into consideration members of the public. He said they must inform the indigenes that they should avoid areas where they see the radiation symbols.

Scientific officers Abdulai A. Kargbo and Umar Bun-Tejan also informed the trainees that the safety, security and transport of the radioactive devices were very important and that precaution should be taken in transporting and ensure that the areas that these devices are used and stored should be clearly demarcated with the presence of the radiation symbols.