AWARENESS COURSE
NORM / LSA SCALE AWARENESS
Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material in oil and gas: where it builds up, what the hazards are, and how it is controlled.
Poseidon Training in-house course. It is not an OPITO course, it is not OPITO-approved and it carries no external accreditation.
Overview
Naturally occurring radioactive material can build up in oil and gas equipment as scale, sludge and other deposits, often called LSA scale in the oilfield. This four-hour course helps anyone who may work with or near it recognise where it may be found, understand the radiation and contamination hazards in proportion, and respond correctly when NORM is found or suspected.
The course also clears up a common confusion. "LSA scale" is an oilfield expression; in transport regulations, LSA (low specific activity) is a formal classification. Calling material LSA scale does not mean it meets that classification.
It is a theory course. No radioactive material, samples or survey instruments are used by learners.
Who it is for
Production, drilling, workover and well-service crews; maintenance, mechanical and inspection personnel; shutdown and turnaround teams; pigging crews; tank and separator cleaning personnel; waste handlers; decommissioning personnel; supervisors; HSE personnel and contractors.
What the course covers
- 1.NORM and LSA fundamentals, including the difference between oilfield terms and formal regulatory classification.
- 2.Basic radiation awareness: ionising radiation, alpha, beta and gamma, and the difference between radiation and contamination.
- 3.How NORM and LSA scale form as radionuclides move from the reservoir into production systems.
- 4.Where NORM may be found in equipment, deposits and waste.
- 5.Health effects and exposure routes, presented in proportion to the real risk.
- 6.Detection and monitoring: the purpose and limits of radiation surveys, and the role of competent radiation-protection personnel.
- 7.Controls and safe working: ALARA, time, distance and shielding, contamination control, hygiene and PPE.
- 8.Contaminated equipment, waste and incidents: the principles for handling, storage, transport and response, at awareness level.
How the course runs
Instructor-led, with oil and gas images, diagrams, discussion and short activities, ending with an integrated scenario. Any limit or value shown is given with its authority and country, because these differ between jurisdictions.
The course ends with a 20-question interactive knowledge review. There is no pass mark and no score. The instructor uses the review to find and close any gaps in understanding before the course finishes. You complete the course by attending the full four hours, taking part in the review, and having your understanding of the safety principles confirmed by the instructor. If anything remains unclear, the instructor arranges further review. This is not a fail.
Upcoming NORM / LSA Scale Awareness dates
NORM / LSA Scale Awareness dates are being scheduled.
We are finalising the next public course dates. Register your interest and we will contact you as soon as dates are released.
Arranging training for an organisation? Group and private delivery can be discussed at any time.
What this course does not qualify you to do
Awareness level only. This certificate does not qualify the holder as a Radiation Protection Officer, Radiation Protection Supervisor or NORM surveyor, or to survey, decontaminate, classify, transport or dispose of NORM.
These activities need further training, competence, procedures and regulatory or company authorisation.
No. It uses images, diagrams, scenarios and discussion. The instructor may show an unpowered instrument for display only. No radioactive item is used, and learners do not operate instruments.
Not on its own. Intrusive work on contaminated equipment needs your company's controls and competent supervision. The course helps you recognise the hazard and understand why those controls exist.