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assess the situation of the inspections (interventional
radiology, computed tomography) and to disseminate
the lessons learned from the analysis of the significant
radiation protection events.
In June 2015, ASN presented an historical retrospective
at the 50th anniversary of the French Society of Radiation
Protection (SFRP) to highlight the development of the
oversightofnuclearsafetyandradiationprotectioninFrance.
Raising awareness in the control and optimisation
of doses in medical imaging
The SFRP’s 50th anniversary congress also provided the
occasion to inform the radiation protection professionals
of the efforts still to be made to optimise the control
of ionising radiation doses delivered to patients during
medical imaging examinations. Distributed on the stand,
ASN’s review of the 32-action programme involving the
health authorities and learned societies reveals the positive
development of good professional practices, but shortages
of human resources and procedural shortcomings.
Another high point was the meeting entitled
“Radiation
protection: everyone’s concern”,
heldon29thSeptember 2015
in Lille and attended by 160 medical professionals and
association representativeswhodiscusseddose optimisation
inmedical imaging and individual radiosensitivity. This
second regional event was co-organisedby the Lille division
of ASN, a citizens association for Alternative Environmental
Development (EDA), and Pégase, a patients’ association.
1.3 ASN and the media
ASNmaintains regular relations with the regional, national
and foreign media throughout the year.
ASN supervisors had regular meetings and contacts with
the media during 2015 to keep the journalists informed
of the latest news concerning nuclear safety and radiation
protection in France.
In the area of nuclear safety, journalists focused their
attention primarily on the Energy Transition for Green
Growth Act (TECV), the continuation of operation of the
nuclear reactors, the EPR reactor construction project, the
decommissioning of nuclear installations, the situation
regarding the safety of the Fessenheim NPP, and the
Cigéo project.
ASN’s Chairman Pierre-Franck Chevet, was interviewed
several times on the ASN positions and on the issues of
nuclear safety in the context of the debate on the energy
transition for green growth. Pierre-Franck Chevet also
spoke on subjects concerning ASN, namely its status,
its means of operation, its power to impose sanctions
and its independence.
The functioning of the radiotherapy centres, ASN’s
recommendations in terms of improvement of treatment
safety, the optimisation of doses received by patients
and practitioners in medical imaging, and the controls
in nuclear medicine were the subjects broached most
frequently with regard to the radiation protection of
patients.
During the year ASNalso receivedmedia organisations from
many countries seeking information on its functioning,
its current news and the events occurring in France, or
to discuss various subjects relating to nuclear safety and
radiation protection with ASN supervisors.
Lastly, in 2015 the ASNpress servicemanaged themedia
attention raised by incidents that occurred in the nuclear
facilities. The press service was mobilised in particular
following the events that occurred on reactor 1 of the
Cattenom NPP on 28th May (untimely opening of a
valve on the secondary system), in the reactor building
of the Brennilis NPP undergoing decommissioning
on 23rd September (fire on the heat exchanger
decommissioning work site) and on reactor 2 of the
Flamanville NPP on 26th August (emission of smoke
in the nuclear auxiliary building) and on 10th October
(shutdown of one of the electrical transformers).
Numerous interviews and coverage in the field with the
regional divisions enabled the media to understand the
different steps involved in ASN’s regulatory work and
to inform their audience about the steps taken to ensure
the safety of nuclear facilities and the safety of medical
treatments.
Interview with Pierre-Franck Chevet at the ASN head office on 17th April 2015.
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CHAPTER 06:
FROM INFORMATION TO TRANSPARENCY AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
ASN report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2015