The European ALARA Network

« Managing of Occupational Radiological and Non-Radiological Risks: Lessons to be Learned », Antwerp, Belgium, November 2000

The aim of the 4^th Workshop was to provide an opportunity to put radiological risk management into context with the management of other occupational risks, by engaging interested parties (managers, workforces, contractors, regulatory bodies, communicators etc.) in the exchange of information and experience. About 50 participants attended the Workshop: with about two third coming from fields with radiological risk as a major occupational risk, the others coming from sectors with totally different types of risk, such as chemical, oil platform operation, non ionising radiation’s, poultry farming. The presence of representatives from international organisations dealing with all types of occupational diseases and injuries such as International Labour Organisation, International Atomic Energy Agency and European Commission (DG Employment) was very fruitful.

Three major conclusions were raised during that Workshop:

« To effectively manage occupational risk(s), requires the development of a common risk culture among all stakeholders. It is therefore recommended that encouragement be given to including lessons and discussions concerning risk management in the day to day life during studies as early as at school level. It is also recommended that strategies be set up at national and corporate levels to present and discuss occupational risks management with the workers, managers, media and public, as well as those in charge of regulations. It is also recommended that consideration be given to making regulations concerning risk management more clear and transparent, both in respect of the requirements and the culture needed to implement them. »

« Risk transfer is a major topic we have, and will have more and more to deal with, not only between occupational risks but also between public and occupational risks and even between human and ecological risks. Therefore it is mandatory to learn how to manage them, through a better knowledge of details of the actual transfers of risks, the factors involved and the interactions of the stakeholders in the decision making process. This could be achieved by developing studies to improve that knowledge, as well as research to define procedures and criteria relevant to making reasonable decisions. »

« The participation of all concerned stakeholders appears to be a key element in arriving at decisions that are reasonable and receive broad acceptance. »

« Managing Internal Exposures », Neuherberg, Germany, November 1999

Download the Summary and Recommendations

The European ALARA Network held its third Workshop devoted to « Managing Internal Exposure » in November 1999 at Bundesamt fur Stralhenschutz (BfS), Institut fur Stralhenhygiene facilities in Munich. The 80 participants from 12 countries were specialists of internal dosimetry, representatives of regulatory bodies, managers in charge of risks management within different types of facilities (nuclear industry, phosphate industry, radio-pharmaceutical industry, , nuclear medicine services in hospital…). More than thirty oral presentations and twenty posters gave rise to very fruitful discussions and led to a final panel session where the most important lessons learned from the Workshop were formulated into conclusions and recommendations.

« Good Radiation Practices in Industry and Research », Chilton, UK, November 1998

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The second EAN Workshop was attended by 60 participants from 11 countries with a good mix of operators, health physics experts and regulators; all with interests in the industrial and research sectors. This paper summarises some of the highlights and the recommendations to the European Commission that arose from the discussions.

« ALARA and Decommissioning », Saclay, France, December 1997

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Optimisation of radiological protection has been shown to be a routine feature during major decommissioning operations in the nuclear industry sector. ALARA is not only considered as a principle but corresponds also to practices that determine important steps during the planning, the operation and feedback evaluation.

The presentations during the workshop described a wide variety of national approaches which depend on the legal requirements, the availability of funds, the industrial resources and, last but not least, the waste disposal routes in the different European countries. It was also shown that, as far ALARA implementation is concerned, the reality is still far from being ideal everywhere, and that a lot of problems have still to be solved.

If you would like a copy of one presentation, just ask us by e-mail; we will send it to you by post. If you would like to have a copy of the proceedings, they are available at the European Commission in its publication Radiation Protection issue108 ISBN 92-828-7107-X. (Luxembourg Office for Official Publications of the European Communities)