The Success of the ALARA Principle the View

The Success of the ALARA Principle – the View of an Inspector Peter Hofvander and Ingemar Lund Swedish Radiation Protection Authority

• Regulators view • Occupational exposure • Nuclear facilities

Nuclear facilities in Sweden • Four NPP sites - 10 operating reactors, three closed • The Studsvik site - closed research reactors, waste treatment facilities • A fuel factory in Västerås • Interim fuel storage (CLAB) & waste repository (SFR) • Siting of geological repository

Table of Content • • Regulatory aspects of ALARA Experiences from inspections Views on the operators ALARA-work Future outlook

ALARA principle a) ‘No practice shall be adopted unless its introduction produces a net benefit; b) All exposures shall be kept as low as reasonably achievable, economic and social factors being taken into account; c) The dose equivalent to individuals shall not exceed the limits recommended for the appropriate circumstances by the Commission. ’

• How do you regulate ALARA? – Understood by operators – Should have the wanted effect – Should be possible to follow/follow up

New regulations from SSI in 1994 • A formalised structure of the ALARA work “ALARA-programme” • Improved radiation protection education • Lowered dose limits • Planning level on collective dose

ALARA Programme 1994 - 1999 • SSI requests each utility to have a site-specific ALARA programme • Objectives and dose targets for short- and long-term planning • Systematic approach – review of dose reduction measures, working conditions, work organisation and workers qualification • Monitoring, follow-up and analysing experience - “learning organisation” • Administrative as well as Technical actions

Extended Radiation Protection Training • Physics • Radiation biology • Radiation regulations • The radiological environment at the NPP • Dosimetry • Measurement instruments • Radiation protection in practice

Revised regulations in 2000 § 4 The work shall be performed in such a way that human exposures are limited as far as reasonably achievable, social and economical factors taken into account. For this purpose the licence-holder shall ensure that goals and needed actions for control are established and documented and that needed resources are available.

Revised regulation in 2000, 2 § 5 The goals and actions of control shall be adjusted with respect to the prerequisite of the plant and be drawn up to take care of the daily as well as the long-term radiation protection. All individuals that are exposed to ionising radiation or are decision-makers in matters that affect the individual doses shall have the needed knowledge of the goals and the means of control.

Revised regulation in 2000, 3 § 5 …The (ALARA-) activities, including the goals and actions of control, shall regularly be followed up and evaluated with respect to what is stated in paragraph 4. Such evaluations shall be performed at least once a year. Documentation on the evaluation shall be sent to the Swedish Radiation Protection Authority.

ALARA Programme Evaluation – Objectives and Performance Criteria – Outcome, completed tasks, new goals – Spread in organisation (education etc. ) – Feed-back from production units/projects

Inspections of ALARA issues

SSI Inspections • • • The last 10 years SSI have performed “ALARA” inspections with focus on several different topics: Management and division of responsibilities Technical measures Education and competence Organisation, co-ordination, adm routines Self-assessment of the operator

SSI inspections, 2 • This year we are performing a new type of “thematic” inspection at one of our NPPs. • Use of a large inspection team • Management, coordination/planning, self assessment, work performance, cooperation with contractors

NPPs ALARA work?

Swedish NPPs since the 90’s: • Extensive refurbishment work at the oldest reactors (O 1, O 2, R 1, B 2) • Change of piping of primary systems (also F 1 -F 3), improved steam separation (F 1, F 2) • Change of steam generators (R 2, R 3) • Modified water chemistry (HWC, zinc-injection, ionexchange resins) • Increase in non-destructive testing and safety measures…

ALARA – work at NPPs • Technical – water chemistry, – reduction of Co-60 – mock-ups – robotics – etc…

ALARA –work at NPPs, 2 • Administrative – education – planning – follow up – exchange of information

Introduction of electronic dosemeters • Access to your own radiation dose • Motivation to the work staff • Ability to continuously follow-up and control occupational doses.

Management commitment Inclusion of radiation protection objectives in the top management steering programmes

Communication and cooperation • Better understanding among all involved parties • Staff with different tasks and competence co-operate in preparatory work for outages and refurbishment activities • Area of improvement: Communication and work planning with external firms

Quality in Radiation Work Instructions Check lists Quality control Documentation Archiving Follow-up Reporting

Information exchange • Benchmarking (WANO, INPO, OSART) • Experience feedback (ISOE, national and regional meetings)

Results of ALARA work?

Collective Doses 1992 - 2004

Year 1993 Collective dose man. Sv/reactor 2, 3 Average 20012005 0, 9 Number of persons receiving > 20 m. Sv/y >200 <10

Future outlook • New ICRP recommendations – no drastic changes • Power up-rates at several plants – investigation out on contract • Radiation protection competence • Review of SSI regulation – ALARA, education, organisation