AUTHORIZATION AND INSPECTION OF INDUSTRIAL RADIOGRAPHY PRACTICE

Abstract

PRACTICE. The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority established by Act 19 of the Nuclear Safety and Radiation protection act 1995 was setup to oversee and regulate nuclear and radiation sources within the Nigerian enclave. The objective of this seminar is to provide understanding of the authorization process and procedures for Industrial Radiography in addition to the role of inspection and the procedures for its implementation in industrial radiography. Industrial radiography is a process of non-destructive testing for examining the quality of a component or product, most often utilized for quality control of metal fabrication for the oil/gas industry and also used to test a range of other products. Typically, radiography is carried out extensively in the oil and gas sector especially in the course of such intricate process like the construction and maintenance of rigs and platforms, examination of seabed pipelines, sub-sea assemblies and platform or rigs below the waterline and laying of pipelines prior to the hook up when the production and export systems are to be connected. Authorization means a permission granted in a document by the Authority to a legal person who has submitted an application to manufacture, supply, receive, store, use, transfer, import, export, transport, maintain or dispose of radioactive sources. The authorization can take the form of registration or licensing. In applying for an authorization, the operating organization will need an application enabling it to acquire, store, and use radiography sources. When applying for this, the operator is required to provide appropriate documentary evidence to demonstrate that an adequate level of radiation safety will be provided and maintained. Authorizations are of various types which include Exemptions, Registrations, Permits, Certificates and Licenses. The application process for authorization follows a seven step approach marked by Notification(which features notifying the authority on new practice, renewal for existing practice or amendment to existing authorization),Application(which involves Filling of Application Forms by the interested operator, Provision of Support Documents and Information and Payment of Appropriate Fees); Assessment of Application, Inspection, Inspection Report, Review of Inspection Report(which are major jobs for the authority) after which an authorization is either granted or denied. The seven pronged approach to authorization enables the NNRA to codify and ensure best practices in regulating users of industrial radiography with inspection frequency of 1-3 years for high risk sites and 3-5 years for medium risk installations. The authority also ensures that its inspectors perform their duties according to its ideals of professionalism, independence, enforcement and helpfulness.

Adamu Midala Hussaini