During a recent interview with Charles Holst, Field Radiation Safety Officer at Stuart Hunt & Associates Ltd., during the PANNDT 2025 event, it became clear how the company combines experience, regulatory adaptation and advanced technology to strengthen its industrial radiography and radiation safety services in Canada. With more than four decades of experience, the company has consolidated a comprehensive management model that responds to the current challenges of the nuclear, mining, and oil and gas sectors.
From locations in Edmonton, Alberta, and Mississauga, Ontario, the company offers specialized solutions ranging from licensing to secure disposal of radioactive sources, technical training for security officers and the transition to digital technologies. In Holst’s words, the evolution of the industry has been a driver for redefining key processes and expanding strategic partnerships with suppliers such as Jura NDT.
Commitment to international regulations and standards
One of Stuart Hunt’s strongest pillars is its constant alignment with international regulatory frameworks, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards and the ISO standards applied to industrial radiography and radiation safety. In the Canadian environment, this involves working closely with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and undergoing audits for both its own licenses and those of its clients.
This continuous monitoring ensures that all internal programs are kept up to date with new regulations. As Holst explains, part of his job is to periodically review regulatory changes and adapt procedures immediately. This proactivity not only enhances customer confidence, but also strengthens the company’s reputation as a technical reference in regulatory compliance.
Evolution to digital radiography in NDT services
The transition from traditional methods to digital systems represents one of the most significant transformations within the company’s portfolio, in particular, the migration from film radiography to CR (Computed Radiography) and DR (Digital Radiography) technologies has made it possible to offer more agile, precise and sustainable solutions to industrial sectors.
Stuart Hunt has established alliances with leading manufacturers such as Jura NDT, with whom he has developed joint implementations of digital radiography on real projects, enabling improved defect detection, reduced inspection times and minimized film waste. In this way, the company is moving towards a more efficient and competitive NDT service offering, aligned with technological trends in the energy and industrial sector.
Technical training with emphasis on operational practice
Another strategic component of the company’s value proposition is its training program for radiation safety officers. This training is not limited to theoretical fundamentals, but incorporates field practices with highly realistic simulations, where participants learn to install, disassemble and leak test radioactive gauges, which is essential for operating safely in demanding industrial environments.
The company also offers courses in radioactive source recovery, a training required by the CNSC that prepares operators to act in the event of emergencies or failures during industrial radiography processes. This technical training reinforces the safety culture, reduces operational risks and raises the quality of the procedures applied in the field.
Life cycle management of radioactive materials
Stuart Hunt, far from limiting itself to the sale or rental of equipment, accompanies its clients from the initial provision to the final disposal of radioactive materials, reflecting its clear focus on the lifecycle management of sealed sources. This includes licensing support, periodic maintenance, inspections, leak testing and finally collection and safe disposal.
One of the most prominent methods is the use of custom-designed changers, which are transported to the customer’s site to extract sealed sources directly from the devices and then moved to facilities such as Chalk River for long-term secure storage. This process not only reduces exposure risks, but also promotes responsible and sustainable practices throughout the value chain.
A forward-looking technical service model
With more than 40 years of experience in the nuclear and industrial sector, they continue to strengthen their presence in Canada through a combination of technical expertise, regulatory compliance and technological modernization. Through its offices in Alberta and Ontario, it offers personalized attention and solutions tailored to the challenges of each industry.
The interview with Charles Holst provides insight into how Stuart Hunt has positioned itself as a strategic partner for companies requiring industrial radiography, radiation safety and nuclear material’s management services. His holistic approach ranges from the incorporation of new technologies to rigorous regulatory compliance, offering reliable, safe and secure solutions aligned with today’s energy and industrial challenges.
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Source: Inspenet.