INDUSTRIAL RADIOGRAPHY IN CROATIA –NEW APROACH Mladen Novaković EKOTEH dosimetry Co. Radiation Protection, Zagreb, Croatia

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach The objective of most non-destructive testing (NDT) methods is to detect internal defects with respect to their nature, size and location. This testing is subject to many variable factors, and demands specialized skills, training, and certification.

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach Common factor to all NDT methods is the operator The operator is the person responsible for executing the tests and reporting the results for further consideration and decision about the fate of the tested part. The operator should be knowledgable, trained and experienced, otherwise the results could be misjudged with adverse and often costly consequences.

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach NDT based on radiography uses radiation sources: Radioactive source X-ray device.

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach Ignorant or careless radiographer about the potential hazards Malpractice, Negligence regarding safe use of radiation sources Himself and other people at RISK

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach Quality –control of NDT procedures and applications fueld by greater international competition in the marketplace and stricter consumer protection and product liability legislation. Efforts toward the international harmonization of training and certification

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach NDT is not taught routinely to undergraduate science and engineering students, Academic absence of the underlying NDT philososophy Demands for specialized training.

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach Specialised training: Professional NDT societes, Private NDT schools and institutions Their objective is to prepare the personnel for certification examinations Certification: Professional societies Regulatory body Approved technical body.

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach The common element is that each country has a national standard on NDT training and certification that lays down the education and experience requirements of candidates: ISO 9712 inspection performance (National equivalent Level 2) ISO 9712 supervisory personnel (National equivalent Level 3)

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach ISO-three levels of competence: Level 1 – may be authorized to set up equipment, do tests under written instructions under supervision of Levels 2 or 3 personnel; can clasify and report results under such supervision. Level 2 - may be authorized to perform and direct testing according to established or recognized procedures. Level 3 - may be authorized to direct any operation in the NDT methods for which certification has been received.

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach National approach with independent certification presents certain problems at the international level (multi-national companies). Various types of certifications present a problem to the movement of NDT personnel from one country to another. International harmonizations: Unifications of ISO 9712 standard and EN 473 standard to smooth out the differences

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach Croatian Society for NDT (CrSNDT) provides for training and certification of professionals in the field of NDT for more than 30 years. Faculty for Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture o University of Zagreb Member of European Federation for NDT (EFNDT)

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach Number of workers who received doses >10 mSv

Number of workers in annual dose range (mSv) Total number of workers Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach Occupational exposure of workers engaged in industral radiography procedures Year Number of workers in annual dose range (mSv) Total number of workers Collective dose (x 10-3 man Sv) Average dose (mSv) 0 -1 1 - 5 5 - 10 10 - 15 15 -20 1996 82 5 4 96 146,0 1,5 1997 88 6 1 7 102 154,0 1998 11 3 121 168,5 1,4 1999 113 10 2 129 136,0 1,0 2000 132 76,0 0,6

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach To many workers received to high doses some even above 10 mSv. To many not-reported accidents with not known exposures: Failure to follow operational procedures, Human error or vilful violation, Inadequate maintenance of equipment, Inadequate regulatory control, Inadequate training.

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach 1999.: The Act on Protection against Ionising Radiation published in Official Gazette No. 27/99 on 19 March 1999. 2000.: The Regulations on the Conditions and Measures for Protection against Ionising Radiation for Practices Involving X-Ray Apparatus, Accelerators and Other Devices Generating Ionising Radiation. Official Gazette No. 84/00. (30 August 2000). The Regulations on the Conditions and Measures for Protection against Ionising Radiation for Practices Involving Radioactive Substances. Official Gazette No. 84/00 (30 August 2000). The Regulation on Qualifications and Education of Persons Involved in Practices with the Sources of Ionising Radiation. Official Gazette No. 67/00. Zagreb (13 July 2000).  

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach Centralisation of all relevant data within Croatian Radiation Protection Institute (CRPI) about practices, sources and workers involved in practices, Concept of quality assurance programmes and quality control measures, including acceptance testing and performance testing of the equipment: Training, and continuous training of the professionals in the field of radiation protection is strongly emphasised, Licence for the practice (i.e. industrial radiography) as the precondition for obtaining the separate licence for the source within practice have been introduced. Only licence for the source was needed according to old regulations.

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach The licensee has the responsibility for the fulfilment of the national radiation protection regulations. To obtain the licence for practice it is necessary for the licensee to verify competence and internal organisation as further described:

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach In all companies and establishments performing industrial radiography the radiation protection officer shall be appointed to take care of all relevant aspects of radiation protection. He must be given the authority necessary to perform his duties. The radiation protection officer shall be approved by the national radiation authority, theoretical skill and practical experience taken itnto consideration as well as participation in the radiation protection course organised by CRPI.

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach Radiographers and their assistants shall have satisfactory knowledge of the fundamentals of radiation protection and proper use of all radiographic equipment which is encountered during the work. They must fulfill prescribed health conditions as well. They should pass health examination prior starting their work with sources of ionising radiation.

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach The licensee shall provide a system for control of radiation protection at his establishment. In particular routines for regular checking and maintenance of the equipment shall be set up. This should be done by engagement one of the approved legal persons for radiation protection. These legal persons are approved by Minister of Health as a technical support assisting the authorities and inspectors in the process of ensuring that license holders comply with regulations.

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach The licensee shall provide a monitoring system with personal dosimeters provided by the service approved by the Minister of Health as the national radiation protection authority. Contingency plans for action to be taken in the case of radiation incidents shall be prepared. In case of incidents detailed reports shall without undue delay be presented to the national competent authority.

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach Regulations include a number of issues, which have potential to improve the safety and quality of radiation protection for industrial radiography workers. Four types of requirement pursue these objectives: a)Provisions related to duties, responsibilities and qualifications of the staff; b)Provisions related to equipment; c)Provisions related to procedural requirements; d)Provisions related to emergency situations.

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach Before radiography is started the licensee shall make sure that the following requirements are fulfilled: The purchasing of each set of X-ray or gammaray equipment shall be approved by the national radiation protection authority. All radiographic equipment including the equipment needed for safe operation such as radiation monitors, collimators, diaphrgms, warning signs, roping etc., shall be available in proper condition whenever a radiography task is presented to a radiographer.

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach There are no manufacturers of equipment for industrial radiography nor manufacturers of gamma sources for gamma cameras in Croatia. Industrial radiography equipment and sources should be imported from suppliers abroad. By exclusively licensing the importer and strict administrative and operational control at the borders we expect that illicit purchasing of strong sources would be reduced to minimum.

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach Training and high qualifications criteria are unfortunately no guarantee against decisions to bypass safety systems. Voluntary compliance with safety standards is normally quite high but pressure of time, economic competition, or worker dissatisfaction, can result in a serious violation of regulatory standards.

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach No industrial radiography should be undertaken by personnel who do not have sufficient knowledge and skills in the field of radiation protection. Licensees shall ensure that all person involved in industrial radiography are adequately trained. Adequate training and re-training of industrial radiographers is a most important factor in establishing end maintaining a safety culture throughout the entire organization.

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach CrSNDT in association with Faculty for Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture of University of Zagreb, developed the system of specialized formal training for radiographers including certification according to the current standards (EN 473 and 45013) in accordance with the requirements of the European Federation for Non-Destructive Testing (EFNDT). According to the Law and regulations in Croatia CRPI organises specialised training courses in radiation protection and safety for all workers.

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach Topics: Basic ionising radiation physics. Detection and measurement of radiation, units. Regulations Biological effects from ionising radiation Use of equipment – protective measures Lessons learned from accidents in industrial radiography Emergency preparedness Exercises Test of competence.

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach The training course is considered to give satisfactory radiation protection competence for a period of 5 years. After this period or when it is considered necessary, the radiographer has to re-attend the course.

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach The lecturers and trainers are appointed from the pool of experts with specialist scientific or engineering degrees nominated by various institutions. A core group of lecturers includes individuals trained according to one of appropriate training courses sponsored by IAEA with graduate and post-graduate qualifications in radiation protection theory coupled with practical experience: physicist, chemists, biologist, mechanical engineers, medical doctors and legal experts.

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach Conclusion (1)  Croatian legislation, the Law and regulations include a number of features, which have the potential to improve the safety the workers engaged in industrial radiography. A prerequisite for further improvement in this field is the dissemination of knowledge and ongoing commitment to training to enhance and maintain the efficiency and effectiveness of radiation protection and safety of workers.  

Industrial Radiography in Croatia – New Approach Conclusion (2)  The direction of new initiatives should not come only from the top down, as would be case with any governmental edict. Rather work should start from the bottom up so that appropriate professional groups work together to create progress. In Croatia more and more radiographers can see the results, which indicate a certain course of action.