Doha:The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) has initiated a national training program titled "Strengthening Regulatory Oversight and the Safe Management of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) Waste." This program involves specialists from the Ministry's Radiation Protection Department and QatarEnergy.

According to Qatar News Agency, the program is designed to enhance national capabilities in overseeing and safely managing radioactive waste produced by oil and gas activities. It aims to improve specialists' expertise in radiation measurement and analysis, aligning with international standards in radiation protection.

The training includes specialized lectures and practical sessions on topics such as sampling, sample preparation, detector calibration, and calculation of radioactive activity concentrations. The use of reference standards is emphasized to ensure accuracy in measurements.

The program follows the Cabinet's recent approval of rules for managing radioactive waste from the gas and petroleum industries. These rules provide a legal framework to strengthen regulatory oversight and ensure the safety of workers, the public, and the environment from ionizing radiation risks.

This initiative underscores the Ministry's commitment to collaborating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and national entities to exchange technical expertise and develop specialized capabilities in radiation safety and security in Qatar.