Radiation protection expert (RPE)
What is RPE or qualified expert (QE)?
The EU Basic Safety Standards (BSS) defines QE (and RPE) as “Persons having the knowledge and training needed to carry out physical, technical or radiochemical tests enabling doses to be assessed, and to give advice in order to ensure effective protection of individuals and the correct operation of protective equipment, whose capacity to act as a qualified expert is recognised by the competent authorities. QE may be assigned the technical responsibility for the tasks of radiation protection of workers and members of the public.”
The status of RPEs in EU Member states has been studied and reported.
In Finland, the QE/RPE is defined as a person who has a certain expertise according to the BSS and is needed in three sectors of work: radiotherapy; nuclear medicine; nuclear installations and nuclear power plants). The QE is required to have professional experience in special cases, e.g. at nuclear installations, research centres, radiotherapy centres and sophisticated departments of nuclear medicine.
RPE provides authoritative advice to employers on matters relating to compliance with applicable legal requirements, in respect of occupational and public exposure.
What do I need RPE for?
- to consult in drafting documentation related to radiation safety permits, such as forming of a safety assessment
- to provide advice on matters relating to radiation safety in respect of occupational and public radiation exposure