experience of the european alara network

Daejon . December 2007

Experience of the European ALARA Network

C.Lefaure - EAN chairman


Early development of ALARA from 1973 to 1992

1973-1982 A theoretical approach ICRP 22, 26, 37

1982-1987 A structured empirical approach : the ALARA procedure

1987-1992 Development of more pragmatic approaches and tools: ALARA Programmes, mainly in

NPPs

1990- ICRP 60

1991- The book ALARA from theory towardspractice 1991

1992-1995 Need to disseminate the ALARA concept, culture and tools outside the nuclear

sector


11 Years Old

• 1996 : EAN Founded and sponsored by EC (DG Research / DG Environment)

• Self-sustainable since 2005

• 2007 : 9 21 countries are represented by at least one institution in SG. (13 in the Administrative Board)both nuclear and non nuclear.

Coordination : CEPN (France) - HPA (UK)


EAN Objectives

» To maintain and develop competences in radiation protection, with special emphasis on ALARA for all types of exposures in routine operations and emergency situations

» To contribute to harmonisation of radiation protection policies and practices, particularly concerning ALARA, at regulatory and operational levels

» To cover all types of practices within the different sectors

» To cover radiation protection themes relevant to all sectors, as well as themes specific to one or more sector(s).


EAN Activities 1996-2006 (1)

• 10 Workshops (700 participants)(decommissioning, internal exposures, risks management, industrial radioagraphy, medical sector and radiopharmaceuticals, site rehabilitation, inspection & control), NORM industry,



The annual Workshops

Topics where improvements are possible Few tens of participantsConclusions and recommendations in:

newsletters Web site

National journals…10 Workshops

~ 100 topical recommendations to: EU, ICRP, IAEA, National Authorities,

Operators, Workers trainers, etc.



21 ALARA Newsletters (2 issues/year)

1,000s addressees

1 Website & its Forum/ http://www.eu-alara.net

10,000s/y downloads

Several sub-networks or brother network

RR; NDT; …NORM; EMAN

http://www.eu-alara.net/




Site Web EAN - www.eu-alara.net




EAN a vehicle to support European surveys European regulation (BSS) implementation (2000) (2006) Exchange on incidents (2000-2002) (W2) Outside workers Directive (2004-2005)

In areas where in depth developments are needed EAN to favour working groups and sub networks

Research reactors (EASN since 2002) (W1 to 3) NDT with EFNDT (WG 2003) (W5) Regulatory bodies ( ERPAN since 2005) (W8) working group on ALARA training (2006)


A DECADE OF EUROPEAN ALARA NETWORK

First period (1996-2000), experts from regulatory bodies, research centres, major nuclear utilities … and EC

Second period (2001-2007) other types of participantsrepresentatives of professional bodies such as EFNDT, ECRRT, EFOMP, ESR ;representatives of manufacturers of devices using ionising radiations; or of radiation monitoring devicesrepresentatives of international organisations other than ECrepresentatives of radiological protection training centres,a few representatives of trade unions or of NORM industries


A DECADE OF EUROPEAN ALARA NETWORK

A network of individuals with expertise and enthusiasm from contacts in training courses.

Core on which to build a more structured network

More on individual interactions than organisational ones

But organisations provided time and effort of their staff…

… and EC provided funding.


Impacts examples (1)

A research project on optimisation of radiological protection of internal exposure (W1 & 3)

A european survey for the setting up of a new European system dealing with radiological incidents follow up (W2)

Following a W9 recommendation . ICRP RP06 paragraph 133 is directly related to the results of the research project ( dose coefficients and low radon emanation).

All sub networks have been set up (or will be) after W recommendations.


Impacts examples (2)

One of the most interesting impact has been the setting up by the Norwegian regulatory body of a long term national plan for improving radiological protection in implementing the recommendations from the previous EAN workshops.

Many countries have set up working groups between regulatory bodies and other stakeholders after W5 and W6 workshops

After W5, EDF, the French nuclear utility has promoted the development of an alarm device called “sentinelle” for advising worker when the source is not back in the container.


EAN has been and is still successful, and growing number of countries participating, (last Romania in 2007)number of topics addressed, (EMAN in 2008…)number of recommendations implemented,

- new international European projects- modifications of national regulations and/or regulatory

procedures,

- organisation of specific working groups between regulatory bodies and other stakeholders,

- development of specific monitoring devices,

What are the reasons of that success?

Lessons learned from EAN: a success story


a dialogue structure between stakeholders (1)

EAN is a forum for discussions between stakeholders who otherwise would have little or no opportunity to interact.

Example: the Rome workshop on “Industrial Radiography”. Which brought

together:experts in radiological protection from international

organisations, national regulatory bodies and research centres, representatives of non-destructive testing companies and of their

clients, representatives of monitoring device manufacturers,

training companies and trade unions.


EAN is an arena where no binding decision has to be taken and where participants do not represent officially the

“interest” of the institutions and countries they belong to (no “institutional” stake is directly at work),

Each stakeholder can listen to the “free speeches” of the others. As they all agree that the main objective is to reduce

radiological risks for human beings, they try to reach consensual recommendations

and generally succeed in doing so

a dialogue structure between stakeholders (2)


Personal links and CommunicationOpportunities for communication between individuals,

not institutionsMany “bypasses”,

EnthusiasmA real keywordTo put forward for discussion the real problemsTo try to find together solutions

Through actions favouring a bottom-up approach

Lessons learned from EAN


Flexibility Much more than any other type of organisation

between institutionsNo permission has to be requested No formal rules have to be followed. Initiatives are easily taken

Collective efficiency Differences lead to solutions more genericSolutions with more chance of sustainability



Favouring Team work

A very efficient way of producing recommendationsthat are discussed in plenary sessions is the work insmall groups

Making use of the existing network

An efficient network is a good support for EuropeanSurveys, studies and seminars (outside workers…)

Much more easy to be done when relying on ad hocPartners, participating to the same network.



- 11th Workshop

ALARA in Waste Management:

Focus on the implementation of the ALARA principle with regard to occupational and public exposures arising from the management of radioactive waste.

This includes waste from the nuclear, medical, NORM, industrial, education and research sectors.


Evolution of EAN organisation

When self-sustainable, a co-operation charter (in June 2005)

describing objectives, activities, organisation, financing 13 countries financially support its coordination while others support specific EAN actions such as workshops.

A legal entity, not for profit organisation under the French law, has been set up in July 2005.

Members of Steering group selected by the stakeholders in each country.


Challenges for EAN, EAN NORM and other Networks

To involve more and more stakeholders (authorities, operators, workers, NGO, Trade Unions,...) dealing with radiological protection (prevention, precaution, vigilance)

To become increasingly places where divergences between stakeholders can be discussed and compromises can be worked out

To become active and recognised interlocutors in risk management decision processes by sharing experiences, promoting good practices, influencing international rules and regulations.

To help in launching other networks in other world regions... and collaborate with them afterwards.

experience of the european alara network

Documents

alara training

alara newsletters

alara programmes

book alara

alara procedure

alara concept

european alara networkc

ean activities