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Computed Tomography
ASN carried out 6 inspections in computed tomography
in 2015. The culture of notifying significant events is
nowwell established in this activity. ASN considers that
patient and worker radiation protection is understood,
even if there is room for progress in the formalising of
the patient identity monitoring process and compliance
with regulatory check frequencies. Improvements are
also required in training in occupational and patient
radiation protection and in formalising the treatment of
nonconformities detected during radiation protection
technical controls. Prevention coordination andmedical
monitoring of outside contractors’ personnel and of
private practitioners are not sufficiently ensured.
1.3 Radiation protection in
the industrial and research sectors
Industrial radiography
ASN carried out 12 inspections in industrial radiography
in 2015, including nine unannounced worksite
inspections. The inspections revealed situations that
are satisfactory on the whole, with worksites properly
organised in compliance with the majority of the
regulatory requirements and integrating good radiation
protection practices. ASN nevertheless notes persistent
difficulties and shortcomings in the communication of
work schedules.
Further to the irradiation incident caused by the jamming
of a gamma radiography source in June 2012 in a refinery
in Fos-sur-Mer, the company Applus RTD has finally
brought the gamma ray projector back to the supplier’s
premises for examination. The company’s lateness in
analysing this event led ASN to serve a compliance
notice on Applus RTD in 2014.
Universities and laboratories
or research centres
ASN conducted eight inspections of research facilities
in 2015, including one waste management inspection
on the Nice University site.
ASN notes progress in the management of radioactive
sources within the inspected universities. The stakeholders
must nevertheless maintain their efforts, particularly in
the management of legacy waste. Recurrent shortcomings
are also observed in radiological zoning, in waste zoning,
and in the scheduling, performance and monitoring of
radiation protection controls.
To achieve a significant and lasting improvement in
radiation protection, senior management’s involvement
must be increased and the role of the person responsible
for radiation protection and their responsibilities within
the establishment must be further consolidated.
1.4 Nuclear safety and radiation
protection in the transport
of radioactive substances
ASN continued its verifications in the area of transport in
2015 by carrying out nine inspections of varied players:
BNIs, hospitals, research centres and small transport
companies. The inspected transport companies generally
comply with the applicable regulations.
ASN considers that the regulations are correctly applied
in the BNIs and the industrial sector of small-scale
nuclear activities. Among the more notable findings in
2015 were the anomalies in dose rate measurement on
tankers used by the CEA to transport liquid effluents.
The tankers are going to be modified accordingly and
protocols for checking the dose rate on contact have been
revised. With regard to on-site transport operations in
the BNIs, ASN notes and approves the measures taken
by the licensees to supplement their general operating
rules following publication of the BNI Order.
In the medical field, ASN observes that nuclear medicine
units are becoming increasingly aware of their regulatory
obligations.
1.5 Radiation protection of
the public and the environment
Contaminated sites and soils
ASN is continuing its drive to identify sites contaminated
by radioactive substances and render them secure. In
2015, this drive resulted in ASN assisting the PACADreal
(Regional directors for the environment, planning and
housing) in the analysis of the next phases of remediation
by Andra of the Ganagobie site contaminated with
carbon-14 and tritium as a result of the activity of the
company Isotopchim from 1987 to 2000. ASN also
stepped in following the accidental discovery of legacy
contamination by tritium and radium in a conventional
waste disposal area on the perimeter of a facility of
the French Air Force’s aeronautical industrial plant in
Cuers-Pierrefeu.
Mining sites
ASN provided assistance to the Languedoc-Roussillon
Dreal following the discovery of abnormally high levels
of radon in a number of houses in Lozère. This discovery
was made under the programme carried out by Areva
at the request of the State to inventory the sites of reuse
of uranium mining waste rock in the areas concerned
by mining works.
MARSEILLE DIVISION
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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