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

2. Regulators view
Occupational exposure
Nuclear facilities

3. 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

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

5. 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.’

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

7. 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

8. ALARA Programme
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

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

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

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

14. Inspections of ALARA issues

15. 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

16. 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, co-operation with contractors

17. NPPs ALARA work?

20. Swedish NPPs since the 90’s:
Extensive refurbishment work at the oldest reactors (O1, O2, R1, B2)
Change of piping of primary systems (also F1-F3), improved steam separation (F1, F2)
Change of steam generators (R2, R3)
Modified water chemistry (HWC, zinc-injection, ion-exchange resins)
Increase in non-destructive testing and safety measures…

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

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

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

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

25. Communication and co-operation
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

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

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

28. Results of ALARA work?

29. Collective Doses

30. Year
1993
Average
Collective dose
manSv/reactor
2,3
0,9
Number of persons receiving > 20 mSv/y
>200
<10

31. 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