SAFETY AND SECURITY OF RADIATION PROCESSING FACILITIES (RPFs) IN INDIA

Avinash U. Sonawane, Ph., D

Head, Radiological Safety Division

ATOMIC ENERGY REGULATORY BOARD, Mumbai

EMAIL: dr.avinashs@aerb.gov.in

Structure of the Legal Framework

Principal requirements

Detailed requirements

Practice specific requirements or guidance

Legislation

Atomic Energy Act 1962

Regulation

e.g. Atomic Energy (Radiation Protection) Rules, 2004:

Standards, Codes of practice, Safety guide, manual

ATOMIC ENERGY REGULATORY BOARD 2

Legislation and Regulations

• Atomic Energy Act, 1962

• Atomic Energy (Radiation Protection) Rules, 2004 (AE(RP)R)

• Atomic Energy (Radiation Processing Of Food And Allied Products) Rules, 2012

• Atomic Energy (Safe Disposal Of Radioactive Wastes) Rules, 1987

• AERB Standard Specifications For Design And Installation (AERB-SS-6, 1993)

• AERB Safety Code for O & M, (AERB-SC-IRRAD, 1993)

• AERB Safety Code On Safe Transport Of Radioactive Material

• AERB Standard Specifications For Sealed Sources

National Regulatory Body Atomic Energy Regulatory Board

(AERB)

• AERB constituted in 1983. The mission of the Board is to ensure that the use of ionizing radiation and nuclear energy in India does not cause undue risk to health and the environment.

Legal Authority Of AERB

• Chairman, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) is the Competent Authority for Radiation Protection In India.

Design Safety Of GRPFs(AERB/RF-IRRAD/SS-6 (Rev-1), 2007)

Licensing stage

How AERB Ensures ?

• Issues Regulatory Consents at Following StagesSiting,

Deisgn,Consruction,

Pre-commisioning, Source Loading

Licence for operation

• Verification of compliance with AERB Safety Standard On Design And Installation of GRPF

Design principles

• Defence in depth

• Inherent safety

• Redundancy

• Diversity

• Independence

• Programmable electronic systems

Multi-tier Safety Review of RPFs

AERB Safety Review Committee For Radiation Processing Plants (SRC-RPP)

AERB Safety Committee For Applications Of Radiation (SARCAR)

BARC-Committee For Verification of Dosimetry in Food Irradiation (DVC)

AERB Regulatory Control

• Licensing under AE(RP)R, 2004 (From radiological safety & security view point)

• During the useful life

• Post use

Licensing Under Atomic Energy (Radiation Processing Of Food and Allied Products) Rules, 2012

Licence from the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) for processing of food/allied products subject to submission of following,

- Licence from AERB under AE(RP)R, 2004

- Licence fee : Rs. 10000/-

• Terms and Conditions of Licence

- Dose Limits as per the classes

- Label on the package

- Certificate of Radiation Processing

- Valid licence under Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.

During the useful life Operational Safety Of GRPF’s

Personnel & Responsibilities

• Licensee/User

• Facility-In-Charge

• Radiological Safety Officer (RSO)

• Quality Control Officer (QCO)

(For Food Irradiation Facility)

• Operators

Training courses in Radiation Safety

• Long Term

• Name of the Training /Certification Course Duration

• 1. RSO Certification for Medical Radiation Facilities (RSO-MRF) *One to three years

• 2. RSO Certification for Industrial and Research Radiation Facilities (RSO-IRF) * One year

• 3. RSO Certification for Nuclear Medicine Facilities (RSO-NM) * One to three years

• 4. RSO Certification for Radiation Processing Facilities (RSO-RPF) Three months

* Only examination is conducted

• Short Term

• 5. RSO Certification for Diagnostic Radiology (RSO-DR) Seven Days

• 6. Radiation Safety Certification of Radiotherapy Technologists (RS-RTT) Seven Days

• 7. Radiation Safety Certification of Service Engineers for Radiotherapy Equipment (RS-SRE) Seven Days

• 8. RSO Certification for Gamma Irradiation Chambers (Category-I Irradiator) (RSO-GIC) Seven Days

• 9. RSO Certification for Nucleonic Gauges (RSO-NG) Seven Days

• 10. RSO Certification for Research Applications of Ionizing Radiation (RSO-RA) Seven Days

• 11. RSO certification for Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM)

Industries. Seven days

• 12. RSO certification for Radiological Calibration Laboratories. Seven days

• 13. Radiation Safety Certification of Operators of Radiation

Processing Facilities (OP-RPF) Six weeks

• 14. Certification in Industrial Radiography Testing- Level-1 (RT-1) Fifteen days

• 15. Certification in Industrial Radiography Testing- Level-2 (RT-2) Twenty-two days

During Useful life

– Responsibilities of Employer/Licensee (terms &conditions of licence) ….

• Ensuring safety and security of radiation sources at alltimes

• Submission of periodic safety status report to Regulatory

Body

• Information of unusual occurrences to Regulatory bodywithin 24 hrs of its occurrence

• Ensure Personnel Monitoring is provided to all radiationworkers.

• Appoint Local Safety Committee (LSC)

• Ensure availability of additional/alternate Radiation Safety Officer (RSO)

• Ensure sufficient number of Operators per shift

• Ensure implementation of S & M schedule and maintain records about failure of safety systems/components

• Ensure appropriate dosimetry procedures

• Ensure that prescribed AERB annual dose limits are not exceeded

Adult Occupational Dose Limits of AERB

Whole Body (everything except extremities)

30 mSv maximum per year

20 mSv averaged over 5 years

Skin of the Whole Body

500 mSv per year

Extremities

500 mSv per year

Lens

150 mSv(New limit 20

mSv/y)

• In case of a WOMAN worker of Reproductive age , once PREGNANCY has been established, the Conceptus shall be protected by applying Supplementary Equivalent Dose Limit to the Surface of the Women’s Abdomen (Lower Trunk) of 1 mSv for the remainder of the pregnancy.

Adult Occupational Dose Limits of AERB

Whole Body (everything except extremities)

30 mSv maximum per year

20 mSv averaged over 5 years

Extremities

500 mSv per year

Skin of the Whole Body

500 mSv per year

Lens

150 mSv(New limit 20

mSv/y)

Post use- Decommissioning

•Responsibility of licensee/employer

•Permission from Regulatory Body for decommissioning ofthe irradiation facility

• Permission to transport sources to the supplierfor safe disposal

• Verification of safe arrival of the source to its destination

• Updating the inventory of the sources

•Certificate of release by licensing authority

Security of Radiation Facilities

AERB Safety Guides:

Security of Radioactive Sources in Radiation Facilities (AERB/RF-RS/SG-1)

Security of Radioactive Material During Transport (AERB/NRF-TS/SG-10)

Security Plan(To be registered with the local law & enforcement authorities)

A description of sources A description of building, environment, where sources are

used Access control points and procedures Perceived security threat Technical & administrative measures Checks to determine trustworthiness of personnel Maintenance and testing of Security System Control & reporting of security incidents Periodic updating of security plan procedures for reporting security related events

Offences and Penalties

• Section 24, 25 & 26 Of Atomic Energy Act, 1962

Fine or Imprisonment or both

• Regulatory Actions under AE(RP)R, 2004

* Warning

* Suspension / Withdrawal /Modification

of Licence

* Withdrawal of Certificates Of

Personnel

CONCLUSION

The safety performance of RPFs in the country is satisfactory and need to me

further improved and ensured at all times.

The high standard of safety and security in respect of radiation processing

facilities can be achieved through the inherent safety features incorporated in

the design and effective operational and administrative controls. Such facilities

need to be operated with due care to avoid potential exposures.

The complete involvement of the management & operating personnel and their

commitment to safety and security culture is essential to operate such

facilities safely and efficiently.

The primary responsibility for ensuring safety and security of RPFs rests with

the licensee and operating organisation.

Thank You