The article is aimed at identifying information needs and competencies of young students in terms of radiation safety and methods comprehensively satisfying the needs. Methods: the authors consider practice-oriented and competency-based approaches in public awareness to be the basis of the need identification method proposed. Diagnosis of student lookup needs was performed using the complex of psychological and pedagogical indicators collected during the questionnaire-based survey. Data were processed through descriptive statistic methods and correlation analysis using statistical package for the Social Sciences (SPSS Version 19). The research programme included question pool for respondents to rank life risks, needs for radiation safety assurance. Results: the experience of teachers from Ural Federal University in partnership with Zababakhin All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Technical Physics was presented. The teachers were involved in regional project implementation oriented towards public radiation safety awareness management under the federal target programme “Ensuring nuclear and radiation safety for the period of 2016-2020 and to 2030”. Based on both the university developed conceptual framework for environmental education and the life safety concept under radiation risks being developed, the research programme was designed, young student needs and competencies required to ensure radiation safety were identified. The article considers the issues of public radiation safety awareness. The fact that the public nowadays meets the issues of nuclear industry development with a mixed reception, demands information provision as well as the ability to align interests of the industry or an enterprise with those of social groups and environmental movements. The scientific novelty of the study lies in further development of life safety concept under radiation risks. High demand for psychological and pedagogical knowledge in the field of health protection is confirmed. Practical relevance: Material available in the article may be of interest to organizers of seminars and trainings on environmental issues as well as to educational programme developers in the area of life safety.