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Interventional practices
In the light of the 16 inspections carried out in 2015, ASN
considers that patient and worker radiation protection
practices must be further optimised in interventional
radiology (see chapter 9, point 1.1.2). Significant disparities
between departments have been observed. Although
progress has been observed in the rooms dedicated to
interventional practices, especiallywith regard to training,
the same cannot be said for the operating theatres. The
optimisation of doses delivered to patients and received
by personnel is not yet sufficiently developed. Medical
physicists are still insufficiently involved in this activity.
The training of practitioners in good patient andworker
radiation protection practices must be continued.
Nuclear medicine
The 7 inspections carried out in 2015 reveal that radiation
protection of workers, patients and the public is on the
whole taken into account in the nuclear medicine facilities
in the Auvergne and Rhône-Alpes regions. Improvements
are nevertheless required in the performance of the
internal technical controls of radiation protection, in
the updating of the working environment analyses for
exposed workers, in the management of radioactive
effluents and the analysis of events.
Computed Tomography
ASN conducted 13 inspections in computed tomography
facilities in the Auvergne and Rhône-Alpes regions in
2015, including one inspection in a centre performing
teleradiology examinations. ASN verified that the centres
have initiated a dose optimisation approach when
performing computed tomography procedures. This
process must be continued and developed, particularly
by generalising the involvement of medical physicists
in this area.
Inspection campaign
in the dental radiology sector
En 2015, the Lyon division conducted an inspection
campaign in some twenty dental surgeries in the Auvergne
and Rhône-Alpes regions equipped with Cone Beam
Computerized Tomography (CBCT) radiology devices.
The utilisation of these devices effectively presents a
particular radiological risk, as the doses delivered byCBCT
are higher than those in conventional dental radiography.
More generally, this operation provided the opportunity
to assess the way in which worker and patient radiation
protection regulations are taken into consideration in
dental surgeries, to raise the awareness of professionals
to the measures to be put in place and to take stock of
any difficulties encountered.
In each dental surgery, some thirty points relating to
regulatory requirements inworker and patient radiation
protectionwere verified. Despite disparities between the
inspected surgeries, ASN considers that the radiation
protection measures can on the whole be improved by
more regular inspection of the devices and systematic
verification of the conformity of the layout of the premises.
ASN also noted qualitative differences in the services
provided by different external persons competent in
radiation protection.
1.3 Radiation protection
in the industrial sector
Industrial radiography
ASN considers that radiation protection of workers is
taken into account relatively satisfactorily in the industrial
radiography sector in the Auvergne and Rhône-Alpes
regions. The inspections carried out in 2015 revealed no
significant regulatory deviations, although improvements
are required in the delimiting of worksite operating
zones (installation of warning signs and markings) and
the performance of estimated dosimetry evaluations.
1.4 Nuclear safety and radiation
protection in the transport
of radioactive substances
In 2015, ASN carried out 15 inspection operations in the
transport of radioactive substances in the Rhône-Alpes
andAuvergne regions. Firstly, 11 inspections were carried
out on the premises of nuclear installation licensees, in
nuclearmedicine departments and in technical inspection
companies (gamma radiography, gamma densitometry,
lead detection). During these inspections, ASN checked
the organisation put in place by licensees to comply with
the regulations relative to the transport of radioactive
substances and the operations relative to the shipping
and reception of packages in these installations. In
addition, four roadside inspections were carried out in
2015 in collaborationwith other State services (Regional
directorate for the environment, planning and housing
–Dreal, customs,
gendarmerie
). These roadside inspections
were carried out as random checks at motorway toll
barriers and resulted in the sending of three inspection
follow-up letters.
ASN’s inspections in 2015 revealed no situations giving
cause for concern in the Rhône-Alpes and Auvergne
regions. Progress has been made in the transport of
packages “not subject to approval” used to transport the
least hazardous radioactive substances which represent
themajority of radioactive substance transport operations
in France.
LYON DIVISION
260
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