ASN Report 2017

253 ASN report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2017 Chapter 08  - Regional overview of nuclear safety and radiation protection OCCITANIE theatre as in facilities dedicated to cardiology, neuroradiology or vascular radiology. With regard to patient radiation protection, ASN observes that the optimisation of doses delivered to the patients is generally satisfactory in the structures dedicated to the performance of fluoroscopy-guided interventional procedures, but insufficiently applied in the operating theatre, due in particular to the absence of radiographers and medical physicists, and the surgeons’ lack of knowledge of the technical possibilities of optimisation offered by the equipment used. In addition, the surgeons are insufficiently trained in patient radiation protection. ASN does nevertheless take positive note that procedures are put in place to monitor patients having undergone long, high-exposure treatments in the dedicated facilities. With regard to occupational radiation protection, ASN observes shortcomings in the designation of radiation protection experts- officers by private practitioners. The regulatory provisions concerning dosimetric monitoring (especially of the extremities), medical monitoring and the training of exposed workers are still poorly applied in the operating theatres. The use of collective protective equipment, which is satisfactory in the dedicated facilities, must be further improved in the operating theatres. ASN continued to verify implementation of the provisions of ASN resolution 2013-DC-0349 of 4th June 2013, setting the design rules for premises in which X-ray generators are used. It observes that the majority of operating theatres have undertaken compliance procedures (studies and additional work where necessary) but the situation can be further improved. Nuclear medicine ASN performed 4 inspections in nuclear medicine departments in the Occitanie region in 2017. Two commissioning inspections were also carried out for the opening of a new PET (Positron Emission Tomography) sector in Albi Hospital Centre and the transfer of this centre’s scintigraphy activity to new premises. The new facilities provide the opportunity for ASN to verify, from the new premises design stage, that the provisions of ASN resolution 2014-DC-0463 of 23rd October 2014 relative to the design and operation of nuclear medicine facilities have been taken into account. ASN also verifies compliance with these requirements during its inspections. It considers that the requirements are satisfied on the whole. ASN considers that patient and worker radiation protection is on the whole ensured correctly in the nuclear medicine departments. Eighteen significant radiation protection events were reported in 2017. The majority of them were caused by organizational or human failings, usually an error in the preparation of the radiopharmaceutical or a patient identity error when it was injected. With regard to protection of the general public and the environment, ASN noted no major deviations, but remains attentive in particular to the provisions limiting the discharges from these facilities. 1.3 Radiation protection in the industrial and research sectors Industrial radiography ASN carried out 9 inspections of industrial radiography activities in fixed facilities or on worksites in 2017. ASN observes that the general organisation of radiation protection, training and dosimetric monitoring of the personnel exposed to ionising radiation and the conformity of the facilities with their regulatory design requirements remain satisfactory on the whole. ASN has however identified a need for vigilance in ensuring compliance with the required maintenance frequency for certain gamma ray projector models (GR50 and GMA2500). ASN also had to remind a large number of enterprises of the requirement to provide the personnel representatives with the annual report on the radiation dose received by the exposed personnel, to ensure transparency with respect to all the workers. In the context of their oversight mission in Occitanie, the ASN inspectors drew up one violation report in 2017 due to the recurrent storage of gamma ray projectors in premises that do not figure in the license delivered by ASN. Universities and laboratories or research centres ASN conducted 7 inspections in universities and research laboratories in the Occitanie region in 2017. ASN considers that the research laboratories on the whole comply with the regulatory requirements in radiation protection, particularly as concerns personnel training and the radiation protection controls. It observes that the radiation doses received by workers remain low. In addition, the tendency for establishments to share ionising radiation sources and radiation protectionmeans between several research units is continuing in a satisfactory manner. ASN nevertheless expects greater diligence in the reporting of significant radiation protection events in some establishments. ASN observes with approval that the research laboratories are increasingly endeavouring to acquire electrical ionising radiation generators that comply with the regulations, despite the presence on the market of numerous devices that are noncompliant or not referenced by ASN. ASN remains vigilant regarding the use of non-referenced devices. ASN continued to check the implementation of the action plan of the Paul-Sabatier University in Toulouse for the removal of the expired sources and contaminated waste present in its waste bunker. It observes that the university has not achieved its end-of-2017 target deadline for removing these sources and waste and directing them to appropriate management routes. Installations Classified for Protection of the Environment (ICPEs) Regular discussions have been held betweenASNand the Regional Directorate for the Environment, Planning and Housing (Dreal) of Occitanie concerning the modification of the nomenclature of Installations Classified for Protection of the Environment (ICPE)