COMPLIANCE ASSURANCE TRAINING AND SELF ASSESSMENT FOR TRANSPORT SAFETY

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) conducts training program for the relevant authorities in the Member States to enable them to assure compliance with the Regulations for Safe Transport of Radioactive Material. The lectures at the program are delivered by experts from different Member States of IAEA. The lectures-cum-discussions address the responsibilities of the Competent Authority for assuring compliance with the regulations, viz., Legal and Governmental responsibilities, procedure for approvals, procedure for inspection, implementation of training needs and Competent Authority role in transport emergencies. The Q & A session that follows each lecture provides an opportunity for the lecturers and the participants to exchange their experience. An important aspect of these programs is development of an action plan by each participant. During the discussion the participants are encouraged to introspect and identify the shortcomings, if any, in their regulatory infrastructure. Towards the end of the training program the participants are advised to prepare an action plan to fill the gaps. The participants are encouraged to work in groups in developing action plans. It was found helpful for the faculty to provide the example of a fictitious State with certain shortcomings and develop a sample action plan accordingly. Furthermore, the IAEA has developed a self-assessment tool to enable each Member State to evaluate the extent of compliance assurance that is achieved in the State. This tool is a software package, which includes a long list of questions relating to the various aspects of compliance assurance which have to answered as ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. The affirmations have to be substantiated with documentary evidence and negations have to explained in terms how compliance with the relevant requirements are being or intended to be assured. Ideally one participant from each State should have a computer for hands-on work during this part of the program. The participants are asked to key in their responses (Yes/No) and provide the substantiation and explanation, as appropriate. This approach was used during a training program conducted by the authors in Jordan. This paper will also describe their experiences and recommendations for changes.