Strengthening Sustainability and Effectiveness In Radiation Protection

Atifah Remat, Dr. Rosfayanti Rasmidi

Kota Kinabalu, 14 August 2024: Laboratory and Agrotechnology Complex (KOMSAT), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sabah Branch has held a knowledge sharing session program titled ‘Radiation Safety and Health’. This sharing of knowledge was delivered by Dr. Rosfayanti Rasmidi as a registered Radiation Protection Officer (certified by Department of Atomic Energy) and Mrs. Atifah Remat, Assistant Science Officer. The implementation of this program shows that KOMSAT is fully committed to adherence to the Atomic Energy Licensing Act 1984 (Act 304).

The main objective of this program is to provide awareness and knowledge regarding the risks of radiation exposure. In addition, it can provide exposure and training to all staff involved to perform the correct actions during any accident or emergency involving radiation.

Among the activities and filling of the program are:

  • Introduction to ionizing radiation
  • Principles of radiation protection
  • Accidents/incidents involving radiation
  • Simulation of training during a radiation accident

The sharing session begins with a briefing on the types and examples of radiation available. Next, it emphasized the principles of radiation protection, the legal acts involved, and the extent to which KOMSAT and UiTM throughout Malaysia comply with them. In order to expand the knowledge of the participants, some real accidents and incidents related to radiation that have happened in Malaysia and some other countries were shared. To further strengthen the participants’ understanding, they were given a task where each group had to create a simulation based on the given accident scenario.

Hopefully, this program will positively impact all staff and other branches since this kind of program is the first to be conducted throughout the UiTM system. Accordingly, this program can also pioneer related courses or workshops for all UiTM staff who operate radiation equipment and radioactive sources.

All KOMSAT staff attended this program, including the KOMSAT Coordinator, 3 Assistant Science Officers, 3 Senior Science Laboratory Assistants, and 3 Science Laboratory Assistants.