Fifteen participants from nine Pacific Island countries have been trained to plan, carry out and report on inspections of radioactive material through a group scientific visit for lead inspectors on radiation and transport safety.

The training was designed to strengthen the Pacific Islands’ transport safety infrastructure by ensuring that inspectors have the practical skills needed to oversee the use and transport of radioactive material in their countries, helping to make the use of ionizing radiation both safe and secure for all.

Experts from New Zealand, Germany and the IAEA provided training on the basics of radiation safety, international transport regulations, the use of radiation survey meters, and on responses to transport incidents involving radioactive material.

The training participants also had the opportunity to engage in practical exercises to reinforce the concepts they were learning during the lectures. This practical, hands-on approach to learning will enable the participants to confidently carry out inspections of the use and transport of radioactive material upon return to their countries.

The scientific visit, organized by the IAEA in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand, was hosted by the Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd (ESR) in Auckland, New Zealand, and took place from 13 to 22 June 2017.