Accidents in Industrial Radiography Authorization and Inspection of

Accidents in Industrial Radiography

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Industrial Radiography Module 1. 4 Objectives To understand the potential for accidents during the use of industrial radiography radiation sources. 2

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Industrial Radiography Module 1. 4 Contents • The potential harmful effects due to the lack of and / or effectiveness of an adequate and appropriate radiation safety programme • The consequences of radiological accidents 3

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Industrial Radiography Module 1. 4 Industrial Radiography Accidents • 48 industrial radiography accidents 1 were reported to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission between 1971 and 1980. • Severe injuries and a number of deaths have since been reported and investigated. 1 involving doses greater than 50 m. Gy to the whole body or 750 m. Gy to a part of the body. (Ref: NUREG/BR-0024). Many accidents may go unreported because those responsible fear the legal consequences. 4

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Industrial Radiography Module 1. 4 Industrial Radiography Accidents (cont) IAEA Safety Report Lessons Learned from Accidents in Industrial Radiography. Series No. 7: 43 cases; 9 involving the public or other non-radiation workers. 5

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Industrial Radiography Module 1. 4 Industrial Radiography Accidents (cont) Severe injuries to a non-radiation worker resulting from the radiography worker failing to use a survey meter to confirm the source had been returned to the shielded container. • 185 GBq 192 Ir in shirt pocket for 90 minutes • estimated skin dose of 30 Gy; whole body as 2 -5 Gy Day 15 6

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Industrial Radiography Module 1. 4 Industrial Radiography Accidents (cont) Poor source security leading to severe injuries and death 137 Cs industrial radiography source; Argentina 1968 7

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Industrial Radiography Module 1. 4 Industrial Radiography Accidents (cont) Poor source security leading to severe injuries and death Doses • • • 17000 Gy (localized) 1 - 8 Gy (internal organs) 0. 6 Gy (head) 137 Cs industrial radiography source; Argentina 1968 8

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Industrial Radiography Module 1. 4 Industrial Radiography Accidents (cont) Yanango, Peru 1999 1. 37 TBq 192 Ir. 2 days after accident; blister on upper thigh. 9

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Industrial Radiography Module 1. 4 Industrial Radiography Accidents (cont) Source not properly secured. Loss not apparent for 6 hours. Skin dose at 1 cm estimated at 10 k. Gy; right leg amputated. The worker’s wife and two children were also exposed. 10

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Industrial Radiography Module 1. 4 Consequences of Accidents • Severe deterministic effects q • • • death, loss of limbs, erythema Increased stochastic risk q fatal cancer Environmental contamination Social & economic consequences 11

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Industrial Radiography Module 1. 4 Causes of Accidents Causes identified as contributing to accidents: • Lack of or inadequate regulatory framework q authorization; q q • inspection; enforcement. Lack of or inadequate safety culture q management; q q quality control; training and qualifications of workers. 12

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Industrial Radiography Module 1. 4 Causes of Accidents (cont) Regulatory control lacking or inadequate Failure to use survey meter Equipment failure ACCIDENT Safety procedures not followed Inadequate or lack of training Lack of safety programme 13

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Industrial Radiography Module 1. 4 Causes of Accidents (cont) Regulatory control lacking or inadequate ACCIDENT The Regulatory Body has inadequate: • authorization processes; • • field inspections; inspection follow up. 14

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Industrial Radiography Module 1. 4 Causes of Accidents (cont) ACCIDENT Inadequate or lack of training Lack of training (and ongoing training) results in: • unqualified and poorly instructed workers; • poor or no understanding of emergency procedures 15

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Industrial Radiography Module 1. 4 Causes of Accidents (cont) ACCIDENT No safety program: • inadequate management • Lack of safety programme lack of safety culture 16

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Industrial Radiography Module 1. 4 Causes of Accidents (cont) Safety procedures not followed indicates: • lack of safety culture • inadequate supervision • lack of training ACCIDENT Safety procedures not followed 17

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Industrial Radiography Module 1. 4 Causes of Accidents (cont) Equipment failure ACCIDENT Equipment failure indicates: • lack of manufacturer’s recommended maintenance; • • poor use of equipment; equipment being used beyond design limits 18

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Industrial Radiography Module 1. 4 Causes of Accidents (cont) Failure to use survey meter indicates: • insufficient and / or non-functioning meters; ACCIDENT • inadequate user safety training; • hurrying to complete the work (employer pressure); • lack of safety culture. 19

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Industrial Radiography Safe use of Radiation Sources Module 1. 4 Radiation Sources: • are widely used; • • provide substantial benefits; but can cause harmful effects (injury or death). Safe operation requires: • training; • maintenance; • control. } SAFETY CULTURE 20

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Industrial Radiography Safe use of Radiation Sources (cont) Module 1. 4 the RISKS BENEFITS should outweigh 21

Authorization and Inspection of Radiation Sources in Industrial Radiography Module 1. 4 References • Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources: • • International Basic Safety Standards. Generic Safety Requirements. GSR Part 3 (Interim) Vienna (2011). Emergency planning and preparedness for accidents involving radioactive materials used in medicine, industry, research and teaching. IAEA Safety Series No. 91, 1989. Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources, Safety Standards Series No. GS-G-1. 5, IAEA, Vienna (2004). IAEA, Lessons learned from accidents in industrial radiography, (reports in) Safety Reports Series. IAEA, Accident reports. 22