Research on nuclear security culture in medical institutions using radioactive sources and materials

Abstract

The first self-assessments of nuclear security culture in a medical facility in Poland (2017–2018) have become the milestone for this small organization. It enabled the personnel to understand nuclear security culture and encouraged the managers to plan further improvements in nuclear security culture in the future. The research project titled “The Enhancement of Nuclear Security Culture in Medical Institutions Using Radioactive Sources and Materials” was conducted by Poznan University of Technology, with strong support from the IAEA. According to that project the first part of the article presents and explains the substance of the nuclear security culture, and also shows the differences between concepts of safety culture and security culture. The next part of the article presents objectives, describes the methodology as well as the results of work carried out as part of the research and development project. The content of the last part of the publication results from the author’s research experience, as well as lessons learned in the field of security culture.