NORM / LSA Scale Awareness Training & Radiation Protection Supervisor Course — Navi Mumbai, India

Introduction 

Working in the oil, gas or offshore industry means potential exposure to Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) — a hazard that is invisible, odourless and frequently underestimated. Elite Offshore Academy’s NORM / LSA Scale Awareness course in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai equips you with the knowledge and hands-on skills to identify, monitor and safely manage NORM-contaminated equipment and environments.

For those taking on a supervisory role, our Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS) course provides an advanced 2-day programme covering dose record-keeping, regulatory compliance and crew rotation strategies — giving you the credentials to lead radiation safety in your workplace.

Both courses combine classroom theory with practical NORM meter exercises using real industry-grade detection equipment. On-demand scheduling makes it easy to fit training around operational requirements.

What Is NORM / LSA Scale?

NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material) forms when subsurface formation water — containing Barium, Strontium, Calcium and naturally occurring Radium — is chemically incompatible with injected water during oil and gas exploration. The result is an insoluble, chemically inert material deposited as scale, sand, wax or sludge inside production equipment.

LSA Scale (Low Specific Activity Scale) is the most common form of NORM encountered in the petroleum industry. It can also be present in produced water, condensates and as Radon gas — a radium daughter — in produced natural gas. Without proper awareness and controls, personnel handling this equipment face long-term ionising radiation exposure risks.

Who Should Attend?

These courses are essential for petroleum industry workers who are actively engaged with NORM (LSA Scale) contaminated equipment and processes. The training is particularly suited to:

• Petroleum and offshore production workers handling oil and gas production equipment
• Maintenance engineers and technicians working on pipelines, vessels and production tubing
• Workers at water and wastewater treatment facilities handling produced water
• Personnel at natural gas and propane processing facilities
• Workers at sites handling oil and gas drilling pipes
• Employees at facilities processing uranium, radium or thorium ore
• HSE officers, safety supervisors and site managers in the oil and gas sector
• Supervisors seeking to qualify as a Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS)
• Anyone working in facilities where NORM, TENORM or Radon gas may be present

What You Will Learn — NORM / LSA Scale Awareness Course Content

This 1-day course blends theory with hands-on NORM meter exercises using the industry’s most common digital and classic detection instruments. You are welcome to bring your own meters — our instructors will demonstrate how to use them. Topics covered include:

• Typical NORM and manmade radiation exposure in the petroleum industry
• The origin of NORM — formation chemistry, Barium/Strontium/Radium deposits, LSA scale formation
• Where NORM is found in the oil and gas industry — pipelines, separators, produced water, condensate, Radon gas
• Radiation units and basic radiation concepts
• Radiation types and characteristics — alpha, beta, gamma
• Identification of NORM hazards on worksites
• Radiation protection techniques: Time, Distance and Shielding (TDS)
• Contamination control and worker PPE requirements
• Safe NORM work procedures and signs/labelling requirements
• Practical plant turnaround procedures and practices
• NORM equipment control and TDG (Transport of Dangerous Goods) requirements
• NORM waste management — segregation, storage and disposal
• NORM sample collection, analysis and reporting
• NORM instrumentation, detection and surveys
• Hands-on NORM meter exercises with digital and classic detectors
• Biological effects of radiation and occupational radiation exposure risks

Additional Content — Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS) Course

The 2-day RPS course builds on NORM Awareness foundations and adds the supervisory and regulatory knowledge required to manage radiation safety at a site level. Additional topics include:

• Review of basic radiation safety and biological effects
• The Radioactive Substances Act — legislative overview and compliance requirements
• Dose limitation principles and individual dose record-keeping
• The regulation of work with ionising radiation in India and internationally
• The role and responsibilities of the Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS)
• Understanding the difference between a Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS) and a Radiation Protection Advisor (RPA)
• Advanced scientific calculations for radiological protection
• Principles and practices of radiation protection programmes
• Radiation monitoring systems and personal dosimetry
• Transport of radioactive substances — compliance and documentation
• Emergency procedures for radiation incidents
• The Ionizing Radiations Regulations — requirements and practical application
• Crew rotation strategies to distribute unavoidable radiation risk fairly

Why Choose Elite Offshore Academy?

• ISO 9001 (ABS) and ISO 21001 (TUV) certified training provider — internationally recognised quality standards
• MLC 1.3 & 3.2 compliant — meeting international maritime labour standards
• Hands-on NORM meter training using the latest digital detectors and classic instruments — not just classroom theory
• Dedicated NORM Waste Disposal service — we practise what we teach
• Experienced instructors with active offshore and oil & gas field backgrounds
• On-demand scheduling — book your batch when your team is ready
• Conveniently located in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai — accessible from across the MMR
• Internationally recognised certificates accepted by oil & gas, offshore and industrial employers
• Overseas students welcome — dedicated support available
• Small, focused batch sizes for hands-on, personalised learning

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is NORM and why does it matter in the oil and gas industry?

NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material) is radioactive material formed naturally as a by-product of oil and gas exploration and production. It accumulates as LSA scale, sand, wax and sludge inside production equipment. Without proper training, workers handling this equipment can be unknowingly exposed to ionising radiation over time, posing serious long-term health risks.

What is the difference between a Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS) and a Radiation Protection Advisor (RPA)?

A Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS) is responsible for implementing radiation protection procedures and ensuring compliance within their workplace. A Radiation Protection Advisor (RPA) is an independent expert who provides specialist advice to organisations on radiation protection regulations and risk assessments. Our RPS course qualifies you for the supervisory role.

Do I need prior radiation safety experience to attend?

No prior experience is required for the NORM / LSA Scale Awareness course — it is designed for both beginners and experienced workers looking to formalise their knowledge. For the RPS course, some familiarity with basic radiation concepts is helpful but not mandatory, as the course begins with a foundational review.

What equipment will I use during the hands-on training?

You will use the industry’s most common NORM detection meters, including the latest digital detectors and classic analogue instruments. If you have your own company meters, you are encouraged to bring them — our instructors will demonstrate correct usage during the practical sessions.

How much does the NORM training course cost and when does it run?

The NORM / LSA Scale Awareness course costs INR 20,000 (1 day). The Radiation Protection Supervisor course costs INR 30,000 (2 days). Both run on demand — contact us on 9699 27 2855 to schedule your batch.

Is the RPS certificate recognised by employers in India and internationally?

Yes. Elite Offshore Academy is ISO 9001 (ABS) and ISO 21001 (TUV) certified. Our certificates are recognised by oil & gas, offshore, marine and industrial employers across India and internationally.

What career opportunities does an RPS certificate open up?

Radiation Protection Supervisor roles are in demand across oil & gas, petrochemicals, nuclear energy, manufacturing and healthcare. Certified RPS professionals command competitive salaries and can progress into radiation safety management, HSE leadership and regulatory compliance roles.