Exploration drilling and geological sampling disturb the earth’s crust in ways that bring workers into direct contact with naturally occurring radioactive materials — often without them realising it. Radionuclides are naturally present in rocks, soils and geological formations, and the process of drilling, cutting, sampling and handling geological material can concentrate and redistribute those radionuclides, creating exposure risks for operational and management personnel that are easily overlooked in environments where radiation is not the primary hazard focus.

Industrial activities like mining and drilling can concentrate naturally occurring radioactive material in the environment, and workers can be exposed to radiation in a variety of ways and at different stages of exploration and extraction activities. NORM can be present in drill cuttings, core samples, dusts, soils, drilling muds and water — and exposure can occur through inhalation, ingestion and direct contact during routine handling and sampling activities.

This online NORM in Exploration and Drilling course is structured across two modules and is designed for anyone working with or around exploration drilling equipment and geological samples. Module 1 provides the essential radiation awareness foundation — covering what ionising radiation is, how it affects the body, and how exposure is monitored and controlled. Module 2 then applies that knowledge specifically to the exploration and drilling environment, covering where NORM is found, how to control exposure risks, decontamination procedures, and the area and worker classification systems that apply under Australian radiation protection legislation.

The course is suitable for operational and management roles across mineral exploration, resource drilling, geological survey work and mining — and requires no prior radiation knowledge.

• Drillers, drill assistants and rig crews working on exploration and resource drilling programs
• Geologists, geological technicians and core farm personnel handling drill core and geological samples
• Field supervisors and site managers overseeing exploration drilling operations
• HSE advisors and radiation safety representatives with responsibility for NORM management on exploration sites
• Management and project personnel with oversight of drilling programs in areas with known or potential NORM presence
• Contractors and subcontractors mobilising to exploration or mining sites where NORM management is a condition of engagement

• The three types of ionising radiation — alpha, beta and gamma — and how each behaves
• How radiation affects the human body and what factors influence the level of risk
• The core principles of radiation protection — time, distance and shielding
• How radiation is monitored and detected in the workplace
• An overview of Australian radiation regulations and what they require of workers and employers

• What NORM is and why exploration and drilling activities create specific NORM exposure risks — including how disturbance and accumulation of geological material during drilling can concentrate radionuclides to levels significantly above natural background radiation
• The sources of NORM in exploration and mining environments — including drill cuttings, drilling muds, brines and flow-back water brought to the surface during drilling operations — as well as core samples, dusts and soils that may contain elevated concentrations of uranium, thorium, radium and their decay products
• How to apply risk controls to manage NORM exposure in exploration and drilling settings — using the hierarchy of controls to address inhalation of radioactive dusts, direct contact with contaminated materials, and incidental ingestion during sampling and handling activities
• Decontamination procedures for workers, equipment, tools and sample handling areas — including how contamination is identified in a drilling environment, the decontamination methods appropriate for field conditions, and the waste management and disposal requirements that apply to NORM-contaminated drill cuttings and samples
• Area and worker classification in an exploration and drilling context — how work areas are assessed and classified based on NORM contamination levels and dose rates, how workers are classified based on their likely exposure during drilling and sampling activities, and the monitoring, recording and reporting obligations that apply under Australian state and territory radiation protection legislation

Course cost $179.00

Full payment is required prior to enrolment into the course.

Payment can be made using Credit Card, PayPal, and Apple Pay.

If you would like to make a group booking or use a Purchase Order, please contact sales@allglobaltraining.com.au.

This course is conducted fully online.

Once you have enrolled, the course will remain open to you for 90 days.  You can re-visit the course as many times as you like and resume from where you left off.

• Newest version of Google Chrome, Firefox, MS Edge, or Safari.
  Google Chrome is recommended.

• Browser must have JavaScript enabled (most do)

• Speakers or headphones are required.

• Internet connection with 2.5 Mbps+.

• Check that your company firewall is not blocking the video content.

To successfully complete this course, you will need to have proficiency in reading and typing in English, as well as basic computer skills.

This course is fully online so you will need to have access to a computer, tablet or phone and have an email address to complete your registration.

Upon successful completion you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion in NORMs in Exploration and Drilling.