Environmental & Engineering (E&E) personnel, Nathan Russell & Nathan D’Amato conducted a field investigation to characterize material remaining in an evaporation pond following dewatering activities. The team collected and analyzed a wide range of samples including surface material, subsurface sludge, and background soil to determine the composition and distribution of residues present in the pond area.

Comprehensive Sampling and Field Procedures

Multiple sampling techniques were employed to ensure representative coverage across the site and all activities followed established procedures for documentation, handling, and equipment decontamination for hazardous material and Radiologically Controlled Areas (RCAs).

Data-Driven Approach to Complex Site Conditions

This project demonstrates how a disciplined and data‑driven approach can simplify complex site‑characterization challenges, giving operators a clearer and faster path to confident decision‑making.

Analytical Findings and Regulatory Alignment

Analytical results indicated that no constituents were present at levels requiring specialized remediation efforts, aligning with applicable regulatory expectations. Based on these findings, the team recommended pursuing approval to manage and dispose of the material through established on‑site pathways.

Integrating Sampling and Geospatial Modeling

By integrating advanced sampling strategies with precise geospatial modeling, the team delivered insights that go beyond simple compliance, offering actionable intelligence that accelerated planning and reduced operational risk. This work reinforces the value of partnering with specialists capable of combining field expertise, analytical rigor, and innovative technologies to achieve dependable results under demanding conditions.

High Resolution Elevation Survey

In addition to characterizing the material, personnel collected targeted GPS measurements to confirm sample locations and develop a detailed elevation model of the pond. These measurements were incorporated into the existing site model and used to estimate the total volume of material remaining. The approach used exemplifies the high‑quality service and technical leadership organizations increasingly rely on to manage infrastructure challenges with confidence.

Supporting Long-Term Infrastructure and Asset Management

This investigation highlights how modern approaches to environmental characterization, when executed with accuracy and efficiency, can directly support long‑term asset management and cost‑effective capital project planning.

A Q&A with RSCS Health Physics Professional, Witold Tatkowski NRRPT, CSP

Radiation protection programs aren’t just binders on a shelf, they’re living systems designed to protect workers, the public, environment, and your organization. While radiation regulations vary by state, most state programs are based on, or closely aligned with, requirements established by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

Across jurisdictions, licensees and registrants are required to develop, document, implement, and periodically review their radiation protection programs. We sat down with RSCS Health Physics professional, Witold Tatkowski, to walk through why radiation protection program audits are required, how they’re typically performed, and what organizations should be looking for in an effective review.

Q: What is a radiation protection program audit, really?

A radiation protection program audit is a structured evaluation of how an organization manages radiation safety—both on paper and in practice.

Regardless of the state you operate in, regulations generally require licensees to maintain a program that ensures compliance and keeps radiation doses As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA). The audit verifies licensing commitments, written policies, procedures, and controls that are actually being implemented effectively in day-to-day operations.

It goes beyond documentation and focuses on how the program functions in practice.

Q: Why are annual program reviews required?

NRC and State regulations, mandate that radiation protection programs be reviewed at least annually.

For NRC-regulated licensees, this requirement is clearly stated in 10 CFR 20.1101, which requires licensees to:

• Develop and implement a radiation protection program appropriate to their activities
• Use procedures and engineering controls to maintain ALARA
• Periodically (at least annually) review program content and implementation

The reason is simple: operations evolve. Staffing changes, equipment changes, and workloads shift. Annual reviews ensure your program still reflects reality and that gaps are identified before regulators do.

Q: What does RSCS review during a radiation protection audit?

We review both program documents  and program implementation, which is exactly what NRC-based regulations require.

That includes:

• Licensing documents
• Radiation protection policies and procedures
• ALARA program structure and effectiveness
• Training and qualifications of personnel
• Dosimetry and dose trending
• Radiation surveys and monitoring practices
• Instrumentation use and calibration
• Event response, corrective actions, and records

We’re not just asking whether documents exist. We’re assessing whether controls are appropriate, effective, and consistently applied.

Q: How is an RSCS audit different from a basic compliance review?

Some audits focus on minimum compliance: Is there a procedure? Is there a record?

RSCS takes a broader, risk-informed approach. We ask:

• Does the program align with actual operations?
• Are controls proportional to the hazard?
• Is ALARA actively applied or just referenced?
• Would this program stand up to regulator scrutiny?

Because RSCS supports radiation programs across medical, research, educational, industrial, and nuclear environments, we understand how NRC-based regulations are interpreted and enforced in the real world and not just how they read on paper.

Q: Why is ALARA such a central focus of the audit?

ALARA is a foundational principle in NRC regulations and most state programs, but it’s often misunderstood.

We evaluate whether:

• Procedures are designed to reduce exposure
• Dose trends are reviewed and acted upon
• Management is engaged in radiation safety decision-making

A strong ALARA program demonstrates to regulators that radiation protection is proactive, intentional, and embedded in operations and not an afterthought.

Q: Who should be performing radiation protection program audits?

While regulations allows internal reviews, independence and expertise are critical.

An external audit:

• Brings an unbiased perspective
• Identifies gaps internal teams may miss
• Provides defensible documentation
• Strengthens inspection readiness

RSCS audits are conducted by experienced health physics professionals who understand both regulatory intent and operational realities.

Q: What do clients receive after an RSCS audit?

Clients receive a clear, structured audit report that:

• Documents compliance with NRC-based requirements
• Identifies findings and observations
• Prioritizes corrective actions
• Supports regulator inspections and license reviews

We also work collaboratively with clients to address findings. Whether that means refining procedures, improving training, or strengthening ALARA controls.

Q: How does RSCS approach radiation protection program audits?

Radiation protection is one of our core expertise.

RSCS combines:

• Deep knowledge of NRC and state regulations-based regulatory frameworks
• Hands-on operational experience
• Practical, defensible audit methodology
• A partnership-driven approach

Our audits don’t just help clients meet regulatory expectations, they help build programs that are effective, sustainable, and inspection-ready.

While radiation protection regulations vary by state, the expectation is universal: programs must be implemented, effective, and reviewed regularly.

RSCS helps organizations meet and exceed those expectations with audits that deliver clarity, confidence, and real operational value.

Contact RSCS for additional information about radiation protection program audits or visit our program and development assessment page for more details.

Radiation safety programs are evaluated as a system, not a checklist. Yet many organizations still manage training, instrument calibration, and dosimetry through separate vendors—often without realizing how closely these elements are connected.

As regulatory expectations increase and staffing remains lean, fragmented radiation safety programs introduce unnecessary risk. An integrated approach helps organizations improve compliance, efficiency, and audit readiness.

Radiation Safety Is a System, Not a Set of Tasks

A compliant radiation safety program relies on three core elements:

• Trained personnel
• Properly calibrated equipment
• Accurate exposure monitoring

Changes in one area almost always affect the others. New staff require training and dosimetry. New instruments require calibration and documentation. Audits examine all three simultaneously.

When these services are managed independently, gaps are more likely to appear.

The Hidden Risks of Fragmented Radiation Safety Services

Organizations using multiple vendors often experience:

• Inconsistent compliance records
• Missed renewal or training timelines
• Increased inspection preparation time
• Limited program visibility

These issues rarely appear until an audit—or worse, an incident—brings them to the surface.

How Integrated Services Reduce Compliance Risk

Managing radiation safety services together allows organizations to:

• Identify compliance gaps earlier
• Maintain consistent documentation
• Reduce administrative workload
• Improve long-term program stability

Integrated programs don’t eliminate regulatory responsibility—they make it easier to manage.

Not sure how well your radiation safety services align? A program-level review can help identify gaps before they become inspection findings. Contact us for more information. 

During RSCS’s in-person Radiation Safety Officer training course, students participate in a hands-on radiation response training, and gain realistic field experience without the risks of working with live radioactive sources. Using advanced SIM-Teq radiation survey training instruments and dosimetry, participants learn to respond to simulated radiation incidents in a safe, controlled environment. From initial background readings to team-based incident mapping and source identification, each exercise mirrors the challenges of a real-world response while eliminating exposure risk. This approach allows students to focus on building technical skills, practicing safety protocols, and developing confidence in their ability to respond effectively to radiation emergencies.

The RSCS Instructor looks on as students check their SIM-Teq radiation survey instruments before the training exercise. RSCS uses their SIM-Teq training products to enhance the student learning experience without the use of live radioactive sources avoiding any exposure to radiation during the training.

The RSCS Instructor ensures students are ready to use their SIM-Teq radiation survey instruments when they arrive at the scene of the training exercise. The students obtain background radiation readings before beginning the exercise.

Students then take first radiation dose readings with their SIM-Teq radiation survey instruments as they approach the scene of the training exercise. The rest of their team looks on and records the radiation dose readings called out by the students to create a radiation survey map of the area.

Students assess the situation as they monitor radiation levels at the scene. The training exercise requires the students to locate any box which shows indications of radiation and safely separate them from “clean” boxes.

Another RSCS Instructor provides guidance to the students as they approach the scene of the training exercise. The students work in teams of 2 as if they were responding to a real incident involving unknown sources of radiation.

Once they determine the radiation levels at the scene of the training exercise, students survey each box using the the radiation survey instruments to locate any sources of radiation. Students carefully monitor their accumulated dose using their SIM-Teq radiation dosimetry to ensure they remain below their dose and dose rate alarm setpoints as they would in a real incident involving unknown sources of radiation.

The RSCS Instructor helps students check their dosimeters and report their radiation dose readings to the student acting in the role of “Incident Response Commander” as he records their data.

After the data is collected, the students review the data to determine the total radiation dose their team received responding to the incident.  While all radiation and radiation doses are simulated, the students gain valuable knowledge on how they might respond in a real-life event.

For more information on  the in-person Radiation Safety Officer training at RSCS, visit RSO Training. Courses are run throughout the year. For more information on SIM-Teq training equipment, visit sim-teq.com.

Radiation Protection Managers (RPMs) hold one of the most critical roles in a nuclear power plant. Tasked with protecting workers, the public, and the environment from the effects of radiation, their responsibilities are broad, high-stakes, and constantly evolving.

In a recent conversation with Ellen Anderson, a former RPM and Director of Radiation Safety & International Liaison at the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) and now, RSCS’s Director of Radiological Services, we explore the scope of the RPM’s work and how RSCS supports these professionals.

Q: RPMs are legally responsible for managing occupational radiation exposure and ensuring radiation releases to the public remain within strict regulatory limits. Can you provide more insight into how this role has evolved?

Ellen Anderson: The role of the RPM is rooted in independence and integrity. Their primary responsibility is to safeguard plant workers, the public, and the environment from radiation exposure. Over time, this role has grown more complex as regulatory requirements have increased and industry standards have evolved.

Q: Where does the RPM typically report within a plant?

Ellen Anderson: The RPM usually reports to the plant manager, sometimes to the site vice president, but typically it’s the plant manager. The key is independence. The operations manager, who is legally required, is focused on generating megawatts. The RPM ensures that’s done safely.

Q: Let’s talk about responsibilities at the plant level.

Ellen Anderson: RPMs are responsible for occupational radiation exposure to plant workers and for public exposure. That includes everything released into the air or groundwater—anything going up the stack or into the environment.

Q: Regulatory compliance is a big part of the role. Can you talk about the multiple layers of regulation that an RPM is responsible for staying compliant with?

Ellen Anderson: RPMs deal with 10 CFR Part 20 for radiation protection, which is an NRC radiation protection standard. It covers dose limits, surveys, and postings. Then there are NRC Regulatory Guides (Reg Guides). These are official publications from the NRC that provide guidance on how to comply with NRC regulations. They are not legally binding, but they show acceptable methods for meeting specific parts of the NRC’s rules. RPM’s also follow EPA and state environmental requirements, OSHA respiratory protection standards, and even FCC rules—for example, for headset communications within the plant.

Q: As a former RPM, how do you use your experience at RSCS to support RPMs?

Ellen Anderson: The RSCS team and I have deep professional and technical experience with radiation safety programs at nuclear plants. We get called in for matters where the plant lacks a health physicist or they need a second opinion for NRC inspections. For example, to identify radionuclides or calculate doses, which is part of the internal dosimetry program that RPMs are responsible for. While RPMs manage the program, they may need a company like RSCS to calculate doses.

Q: How else does RSCS support RPMs?

Ellen Anderson: Training is a big one. RPMs are responsible for ensuring that every RP technician is trained and qualified. If something goes wrong and records are missing, it’s the RPM, not the staffing company, who is held accountable. We help with training and to maintain those records. We also contribute to initiatives like the industry-wide AP3 qualification standard, which streamlined technician training across all plants.

One of the most valuable ways RSCS supports RPMs is through tailored training and qualified staff augmentation. From foundational programs in instrumentation, dosimetry, and respiratory protection to professional development for RPM candidates, RSCS builds workforce readiness across all levels.

RSCS also ensures supplemental technicians are properly trained and documented—an area under increasing scrutiny by regulators.

Q: It sounds like RSCS steps in as both technical expert and trusted advisor.

Ellen Anderson: Exactly. We’re a full-service radiation protection consulting firm. If we don’t have the expert in-house, we bring one in. It’s about relationships, responsiveness, and knowing who to call when something goes wrong. I’ve personally helped resolve industry-wide training gaps, restored contracts after years of disconnect, and connected clients with the expertise they needed.

Thank you, Ellen, for contributing your time and expertise to the radiation protection manager profession and RSCS clients. To learn more about or connect with Ellen Anderson, visit her LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-pyne-anderson-3b71046a/.

Having certified health physicists (CHPs) on staff gives RSCS a significant advantage in supporting radiation safety clients with deeper technical expertise, regulatory insight, and trusted credibility. Here’s how that translates into better support:

Expert Oversight You Can Trust

CHPs are nationally board-certified experts in radiation protection. Their involvement ensures that all RSCS services—from program design to dose assessments—are grounded in the highest level of scientific and regulatory understanding.

Regulatory Confidence and Compliance

Clients benefit from having a team that understands NRC, EPA, OSHA, and agreement state requirements inside and out. CHPs help clients:

• Interpret and apply complex regulations (like 10 CFR Part 20)
• Respond to regulatory audits or inspection findings
• Prepare accurate, defensible reports and dose calculations

Problem Solving for High-Stakes Situations

Whether a facility faces a radiation exposure event, needs to design a new radiation protection program, or must calculate internal dosimetry after an incident, RSCS’s CHPs bring the technical authority and credibility needed to resolve complex issues quickly and correctly.

Tailored Program Development and Review

CHPs can build or review programs like:

• ALARA and exposure control plans
• Respiratory protection
• Instrument calibration protocols
• Emergency response and contamination control
• Internal/external dosimetry systems

These aren’t off-the-shelf templates—they’re custom solutions based on the client’s specific operations, risks, and regulatory environment.

Credibility with Regulators and Peer Institutions

When clients need to explain or defend a technical decision to the NRC, INPO, or state agencies, having CHP-reviewed documentation adds professional validation that carries weight.

Training That Goes Deeper

RSCS can deliver advanced-level training, not just technician basics. Our CHPs train managers, engineers, and radiation protection staff in:

• Radiation physics
• Dose modeling
• Risk communication
• Regulatory preparedness

With certified health physicists on staff, RSCS provides radiation safety clients with trusted expertise, regulatory assurance, and solutions that go beyond compliance to deliver excellence. To learn more about how we can help your radiation safety needs, contact us.

Seabrook, NH July 1, 2025— Radiation Safety & Control Services, Inc. (RSCS) is pleased to announce that Christopher Martel, PhD, CHP has been selected to serve on the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s 2025 Panel on the Assessment of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML). His appointment term runs from March 17, 2025, through December 31, 2025.

In this prestigious advisory role, Dr. Martel will join a panel of nationally recognized experts tasked with evaluating the quality, effectiveness, and strategic direction of NIST’s Physical Measurement Laboratory. The panel assesses scientific and technical programs, reviews progress toward long-term goals and offers recommendations to ensure the laboratory continues to meet national priorities in measurement science. The panel’s findings help inform policy decisions, federal research investments, and the advancement of U.S. innovation infrastructure.

Dr. Martel has over 35 years of experience in the nuclear industry and is widely recognized for his leadership in developing management systems that support radiation safety programs. He has conducted regulatory compliance work in 14 countries across Europe, Asia, and Australia/New Zealand, as well as throughout the United States in the energy, industrial, pharmaceutical, and healthcare sectors.

“Chris’s appointment to the NIST assessment panel is a reflection of his deep expertise and lifelong commitment to advancing the field of radiation safety and measurement science,” said Jay Tarzia, President of RSCS. “We are incredibly proud to see his leadership recognized at the national level, and we fully support his continued efforts to help shape the future of scientific standards and innovation.”

A Board-Certified Health Physicist, Dr. Martel is currently the Senior Director of Operations at RSCS. He served as the radiation expert on Institutional Review Boards and Radioactive Drug Research Committees, served as the Radiation Safety Officer for multiple large radiation safety programs, and is a fellow of the Health Physics Society. Dr. Martel has held academic appointments including Assistant Professor at Boston University School of Medicine, Associate in Radiology at Harvard Medical School, and an Adjunct Professor of Nuclear Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

RSCS congratulates Dr. Martel on this national recognition and is proud to support his continued contributions to advancing excellence in measurement science and radiation safety.

ABOUT RSCS
For over 35 years, Radiation Safety & Control Services has provided technical consulting, training, staff augmentation, radiological environmental & engineering, and instrument support services to commercial nuclear, private industrial, medical, academic, and government facilities. RSCS’s core competence is health physics and radiation protection. RSCS professionals have experience in virtually all areas of nuclear and radiological operations, decontamination, and decommissioning. RSCS is a division of the Allied Power Platform. The Allied Power Platform was formed with Allied Power’s acquisition of Dominion Engineering and RSCS, combining industry-leading engineering, component integrity, asset management, and radiological protection services to deliver maintenance, modifications, and project services. To learn more about RSCS, visit www.radsafety.com.