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renewed 12 licences to exercise this activity, four of which
included reservations or a deadline for bringing facilities
into compliance.
ASN observed that on the whole the inspected
organisations know and comply with the radiation
protection requirements. Themain lines for improvement
concern worker classification, which must match the
true level of risk, the regular updating of the documents
required by the regulations (analysis of working practices
and conditions, radiological zoning, technical control
programmes) and compliance of fixed radiography
facilities with standards.
Inspection of physical parameters
ASN conducted six inspections in 2015 in organisations
using radioactive sources for the inspection of physical
parameters, of which four were in industrial protection
workshops and units having ICPE status and two in
public works contractors. The ICPEs have a good work
safety culture, but must better integrate the specifics
of the regulations relative to radiation protection. The
radiation protection technical controls represent a priority
area for progress. The public works contractors must
be more rigorous in updating the documents required
by the regulations.
Universities, laboratories or research centres
ASN carried out three inspections in the field of research
in 2015, one concerning an irradiator and two concerning
university laboratories that use unsealed sources. ASN
considers that radiation protection is satisfactory in the
laboratories in activity but notes that the assessment
of risks involved in the management of legacy waste
at the University of Franche-Comté can be improved.
1.3 Nuclear safety and radiation
protection in the transport
of radioactive substances
The three inspections carried out in 2015 showed that
the safety of radioactive substance shipments is ensured
in accordance with regulatory requirements. Progress
can however still be made in occupational radiation
protection.
1.4 Radiation protection of
the public and the environment
Radon
In2015, ASNcontinued its participation in the pluralistic
actions carried out in Bourgogne and Franche-Comté
to raise awareness of regional authorities, construction
professionals and the general public, to the risks caused
by exposure to radon.
ASNalsoworkedwith the ARS (Regional HealthAgency)
on the identification of deviations fromradon regulations
enforceable on the owners of certain sites open to the
public in theNièvre, Saône-et-Loire, Doubs, Haute-Saône
et Territoire-de-Belfort
départements
.
In2015, theDijondivisionof ASNand theARS of Franche-
Comté helped organise meetings to inform the mayors
and presidents of municipal federations of the Doubs,
Territoire-de-Belfort andHaute-Saône
départements
about
the health risks associatedwith exposure to radon inpublic
schools, regulations and the results of their application, the
diagnosis of buildings and remediation techniques when
radon is present. This approach will enable the elected
officials to contribute to the exhaustive listing of the sites
concerned and to regularise their situation if necessary.
Contaminated sites and soils
ASN monitored the work carried out in 2015 to clean
out a former watchmaking factory in the Haut-Doubs
where traces of radiumand tritiumhad been found. ASN’s
monitoring led more specifically to the stepping up of
worker radiation protection measures and the checks
performed on the resulting waste.
ASN also asked IRSN to supplement the radiological
characterisation of a private site in the Yonne
département
where radioactive sources for lightning conductors are
stored, to prepare for complete clean-out of the site.
The former uranium mining sites
In 2009, the State put in place a national action plan for the
management of former uraniummines, which provides
for Areva to list the sites in which mining waste rock
DIJON DIVISION
ASN inspection in a laboratory of the University of Bourgogne in Dijon, November 2015.
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CHAPTER 08 :
REGIONAL OVERVIEW OF NUCLEAR SAFETY AND RADIATION PROTECTION
ASN report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2015