Workshops

16^th European ALARA Network Workshop, Berne, Switzerland, 14 – 16 March 2016

"ALARA in Industrial Radiography - How can it be improved?"

Aims and objectives

Industrial radiography (for non-destructive testing (NDT)) using gamma and X-ray sources is a long-established and widespread practice. A key radiation protection principle is optimisation, to ensure that the radiation exposure of radiography workers and other persons is As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA). In 2001, in Rome, the 5^th EAN Workshop specifically considered ALARA in industrial radiography. It was concluded that ALARA was not always being achieved, and improvements in radiography equipment, working procedures, training and safety culture were recommended. Since then, industrial radiography has remained an area of concern in radiation protection, due to the levels of radiation exposure received and, in particular, the number and magnitude of accidental exposures. Consequently, EAN has decided to re-visit this topic. 

The objectives of the workshop are:

• To review the conclusions and recommendations of the 5^th EAN workshop, held in Rome in 2001, and determine whether any real improvements have been made (see link in the right column). 
• To ask what else might be done to improve radiation safety in industrial radiography and ensure that exposures are ALARA.

The workshop consisted of presentations (oral and posters) intended to highlight the main issues, and a significant part of the program was devoted to discussions within working groups. From these discussions, participants are expected to produce recommendations on ALARA in industrial radiography, which are addressed to relevant local, national and international stakeholders.

Working Groups

As part of the programme, time has been devoted for discussions between participants (divided in four working groups). The working groups have tackled issues such as :

1. Radiography equipment: can we make it safer (WG1)?
2. Learning from radiography accidents: how do we stop them from happening again (WG2)?
3. Training and Safety Culture: how can these be improved (WG3)?
4. The ALARA process in radiography: setting suitable dose and risk constraints (WG4).

Presentations

Session 1 - Setting the scene

• EAN and ALARA in Industrial Radiography (684 kB) — F. Vermeersch, EAN
• The Role of EFNDT in Industrial Radiography (1078 kB) — M. Purschke, EFNDT
• Application of the Commission Recommendations: Development of User Focused Reports (531 kB) — K. Cho, ICRP
• Industrial Radiography and the ISEMIR Project (750 kB) — R. Van Sonsbeek, Applus RTD
• The Regulatory Inspector's Perspective (684 kB) — H. Synnott, EPA Ireland
• Industrial Radiographic Testing in Public Places in Switzerland (2653 kB) — D. Grütter, SVS
• The Client's perspective: Radiation Protection on EDF NPP sites (472 kB) — E. Carreau, EDF

Session 2 - Industrial Radiography Equipment

• Gamma-Radiography: State of the Art or Unjustified Activity? (2231 kB) — C. Kaps, EFNDT
• Reducing the Size of Radiography Controlled Areas (500 kB) — C. Bergeron, IS Groupe
• Dose Reduction by Digital X-Rays Detectors (2080 kB) — B. Redmer, BAM
• Industrial Radiography Equipment Maintenance (784 kB) — T. Frühwirth, B. Wellens, NES
• Gamma Radiography Sources and Equipment - Design Improvements and Industry Adoption (415.5 kB) (narrative, pdf 75 kB) — M. Fuller, ISSPA
• Ibero-American Forum of Radiological and Nuclear Regulatory Agencies (FORO) (1915 kB) — W. A. Truppa, Argentinian NRA

Session 3 - Learning from Industrial Radiography Incidents

• Annual Reports of Incidents/Accidents in Radiography in France (1530 kB) — B-M Ayadi, A. Cordelle, IRSN
• Radiography Incidens in Germany (716 kB) — M. Sonntag, SGD
• Radiography Incidents in Norway (957 kB) — S. Øvergaard, NRPA
• Gamma Radiography Source Recovery Equipment (1940 kB) — S. Buechi, SUVA
• Radiography Incident in Belgium - Recovery of a Co-60 Source in a Foundry (2983 kB) — R. Berden, FANC
• Radiography Incident in France (Feursmetal) (650 kB) — A. Dubouchet, IRSN

Session 4 - Education and Training and ALARA Culture

• OTHEA Lessons-Learned from Industrial Radiography Incidents (326 kB) — P. Shaw, PHE
• RP Training for Radiographers in Germany (384 kB) — A. Steege, DGZfP
• Web-based Inspections in Industrial Radiography (491 MB) — B. H. Knutsen, NRPA
• ENETRAP: European Guidance on RPE and RPO - Implications for Industrial Radiography? (168 kB) — A. Schmitt-Hannig, BfS
• The Management of Industrial Radiography Incidents (742 kB) — E. Carreau, EDF

Session 5 - Conclusions and Recommendations

• Report from Working Group 1 - Radiography Equipment (85 kB) 
• Report from Working Group 2 - Radiography Equipment (50 kB)
• Report from Working Group 3 - Learning from Incidents (25 kB)
• Report from Working Group 4 - Learning from Incidents (85 kB)
• Report from Working Group 5 - Training and Safety Culture (54 kB) 
• Report from Working Group 6 - The ALARA Process in Industrial Radiography (70 kB)
• Final Conclusions and Recommendations (385 kB) — P. Shaw, PHE