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5. THE MAIN INCIDENTS IN 2015
The inspections conducted on radiation sources and a
complete round-up of radiation protection events in the
non-BNI field notified to ASN are presented in chapter 4
of this report.
Industrial radiography
Several incidents occurred in 2015, including one rated
level 2 on the INES scale concerning the use of an X-ray
generator in a bunker which resulted in a person being
exposed to a dose measured (by the passive dosimeter)
of 82 mSv and a reconstructed dose estimated by IRSN
at 1.5 Sv at the extremities and 144mSv to the abdomen
(see box on page 341).
Graph7 illustrates the trends in incident numbers notified
in the last few years. Graph 8 indicates the main causes
of these incidents.
The series of incidents recorded in 2014 caused by rupture
of the plug on GAM 80/120 devices had led ASN to ask
the supplier to implement preventive measures during
annual maintenance of the devices. No incidents involving
this type of failure were notified to ASN in 2015.
Other source jamming incidents were however reported,
caused by failures such as non-connection of the remote
control cables or guides or of the guide tubes. These
incidents were correctly managed by the operators
and managers of the companies concerned, and were
rapidly resolved. Even though the French regulations
are on the whole adhered to and are more stringent
than the international standards, ASN considers that
improvements are required inworksite preparation and
incident management.
Research activities
Since 2011, ASNhas registerednotificationof 15 significant
events per year on average in this sector. Even though
this number remains low, it does nevertheless represent
a change with respect to the past since only 28 events
were notified over the 2008-2010 period. The significant
events fall into two main categories:
•
the discovery or loss of radioactive sources;
•
the detection of contamination.
For the aspects concerning sources, the absence of source
disposal measures when laboratories ceased their activities
in the past combinedwith the persistence of poor source
management are the cause of this situation.
For the 2011 to 2015 period, 9 incidents were rated
level 1 on the INES scale, while the others were rated
level 0. One incident was rated level 2 in 2015 (see box
on page 343).
Number of events
0
5
10
15
20
25
2015
2014
2013
2009
2008
2012
2011
2010
GRAPH 7:
Trend in the number of industrial radiography events notified to ASN
Outside BNIs
In BNIs
340
CHAPTER 10:
INDUSTRIAL, RESEARCH AND VETERINARY USES AND SOURCE SECURITY
ASN report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2015