NDT In Canada Presentation

Radiation Safety
June 2014

WELCOME
Speaker

introduction
Purpose & Scope of Presentation
Radiation Safety in Laymen's Terms (IR)
Brief Radiation Safety History- IR
Introduction to CIRSA.
Best Practices & Prevention
Current initiatives

Purpose & Scope of Presentation

The purpose of this presentation is to provide an overview of radiation
safety in Canada as it pertains to the NDT industrial radiography
industry.
The presentation also attempts to provide awareness of and
exposure for CIRSA as a small occupational radiation safety
organization that services a relatively unknown niche area of industry.

The scope includes and is limited to general information on radiation

safety. It may also include some initiatives being made for continuous
improvement.

Radiation Safety
Radiation Safety in Laymen's Terms (IR)
NDE Companies are required to have a CNSC
license
Adhere to Federal CNSC Regulations
Adhere to Transportation of Dangerous Goods

Radiation Safety
Licensee Radiation Safety Program Key
elements

Use, Transfer and Storage of devices & sources

Security
Radiation Protection
Training
Equipment and Maintenance
Radiographic Operations
Emergency Procedures
Forms.
5

Radiation Safety
Typical radiation used in
Radiography?
Electromagnetic Energies (Gamma & Xradiation)

High energy short wavelength

It travels only in straight lines
Has the ability to penetrate dense materials
It is non-destructive and is not residual

Radiation Safety
HEALTH RISKS

Crossing the radiation barrier may subject you to unsafe levels

of ionizing radiation. (Exposure).

Radiation cannot be detected by any of the human senses.
At very close proximity and/or for variable lengths of time, it can

kill cells.

Radiation Safety
RADIATION PROTECTION
How do we protect everyone?

Time
Distance
Shielding
Use calibrated radiation detection
equipment
Follow procedures - rules and regulations
ALARA As Low As Reasonably
Achievable

Radiation Safety
DOSE RATES AT BARRIERS
Barrier limits are set by CNSC at 10 mRem/hour (0.1 mSv/hour)
Warning signs are posted at 2.5 mRem/hour (0.025 mSv/hour)

Radiation Safety
RADIATION ZONES CAN
BE RECOGNIZED BY:
Radiation signs around

the exposure area.

Trained Nuclear Workers
inside the area with
special monitoring
equipment
Designated as Nuclear
Energy Workers. They
control the radiation zone

10

Radiation Safety
EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE

11

Daily Equipment checks

Quarterly Maintenance
Annual Maintenance
Documentation/Traceability

Applicable Regulations:
(CNSC)

General Nuclear Safety Regulations (GNSR)

Radiation Protection Regulations (RPR)
Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Regulation (NSRD)
Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulation (PTNS)
Transport Canada -Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations
(TDG)
1996 IAEA Regulations for the safe transport of Radioactive Material
No. TS-R-1 (ST-1, Revised)
http://www.cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca/eng/lawsregs/index.cfm

Provinces regulate X-ray (Tube) Safety

Radiation Safety
Maximum Allowable Dosages Set by
CNSC Regulations

Item
1
2
3

Column l
Person's
Status
Nuclear energy worker, including a
pregnant nuclear energy worker
Pregnant nuclear energy worker
Non-nuclear energy worker

Column ll
Period
of Time

Column lll
Effective Dose
(mSv)

One (1) year dosimetry period

Five (5) year dosimetry period
The balance of the pregnancy
One (1) calendar year

50
100
4
0.5

13

Radiation Safety
SECURITY
Some requirements for security:

Equipment must be under direct visual care of an

authorized person at all times or placed in secure
storage.

14

Prescribed Locks/Barriers

Alarms/Warning devices

Training/Emergency response

Criminal background checks

Device and source tracking

Radiation Safety
COMPANY INTERNAL MONITORING

RSO Conducts regular field audits

Audits for records, storage, security, etc.
Training assessment / annual reviews

EXTERNAL MONITORING
Audited by CNSC Type I and Type II audits

15

History of Industrial Radiography

Pig & Pole (Can you detect the PPE??Safety Culture?)

History of Industrial Radiography

Training? What training?
Certification

Helpers no radiation safety

Junior/Senior limited radiation safety
Qualified Operators Grandfathered
Qualified Operators by examination no
course read book / wrote exam

History of Industrial Radiography

Radiation Detection Equipment

Canadian
Admiral

1930 Victoreen
1940 Neutron detector

History of Industrial Radiography

Types of Radiographic Equipment used

Budd 520 - 1960

Radium Source

Shoe fitting x-ray machine

50 Kv-8ma
20-30 min exposures

Shoe fitting certificate

Weve come a long way!

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Introduction to CIRSA

Canadian Industrial Radiography Association

Objectives

Radiation Safety is our prime objective

Influence the industry and change culture
Improve working relationship with CNSC / Industry
Promote exchange of information on health, safety, environment,
and related topics between Industrial Radiography Companies,
CIRSA members and allied industries
Provide for representation to government bodies for Industrial
Radiography
Conduct itself in agreement with the Associations Mission
Statement

MISSION STATEMENT
To be the leading radiation safety advocacy group and source
of communication for the industrial radiography industry.
This is achieved by promoting a strong radiation safety

culture, member support, radiation safety awareness,

providing direction and fostering cooperative working
relationships with regulatory bodies, while at the same time,

maintaining a common voice for the industry.

CIRSA

CIRSA started as a grass roots association in western

Canada in 2005 and is a registered non-profit organization.
We have approximately 49 licensees as members now
across Canada of a total of approx 150 licensee companies
in this industry.
A formal Constitution is in place to guide the association in
its daily operations.
Association Executive comprised of 9 elected members
meets approximately once / month.
Spring and Fall member/AG meetings.

Stakeholders

Radiation
Safety

CIRSA

In the past:

CIRSA continued to strive to communicate its existence,

gain credibility and membership across Canada. This has
been a challenge at times, given the industry regional
disparities between Eastern and Western Canada.

It has been a steady advocate for the industry and working

hard to achieve recognition with both the industry and
regulatory bodies such as the CNSC.

Industry issues and needs:

Requests for responses from regulatory bodies were/are often not

answered or acknowledged as received.

No process for clear understanding for clarification of regulations.

Continually changing CNSC staff we did not/do not know to

whom we should address questions.
Inconsistent interpretations of regulations from regulatory
inspectors.
Industry incidents should be better communicated. Not knowing is
unsafe. Knowing is an opportunity to prevent.

In the Present:

Bringing together all members from coast to coast as one team

with an agreed focus on the implementation of radiation safety
for our industry. Promote mutual respect for regional differences.

CIRSA is recognized as an industry association by the

CNSC/DNSR.

Promote and maintain goodwill and working mutual respectful

relationships with the CNSC/DNSR. The above points are
achieved by volunteering and being involved in the CNSC
meetings and focus groups.

In the Present:

Website: www.cirsa.ca

We have an active website that is constantly being improved that

currently includes but is not limited to:
A new overall look to the site.
Access and links to 3rd party radiation safety training.
Information for clients and the general public on the basic purpose,
use, training, regulatory and safety controls and measures in place for
industrial radiography.
Updated safety alerts and flashes, Rad Safety form templates.
Industry performance/Incident stats.
Free links for member businesses.
Industry and regulatory news/updates/photos/equipment museum.

Industry Perception (Safety today with the aid of CIRSA

and the CNSC Industry Working Group

Radiation Safety has improved.culture has improved.

Hard working, safe, and relatively compliant industry.
We know our businesswe are well positioned to assist
in the communication between CNSC and industry
We have learned and continue to learn from mistakes and
improved procedures and practices.
Exposure devices and detection equipment have improved.
We have better training programs than in the past.
We are on a steady decline in incidents and the dosages to
workers.

Industry Best Practices

Examples of Failure
Reference: Cable drive systems
Reasons for the checks:
Damage from normal use
Design of connector
Environment
Damage from Operator neglect

Industry Best Practices

Examples of Failure
A MDS Nordion connector that disconnected from the drive cable
likely excessive force at drive cable return to device.

Industry Best Practices

Examples of Failure
A MDS Nordion G6 connector that had design deficiencies

Industry Best Practices

Examples of Failure
A MDS Nordion worn connector

Industry Best Practices

Examples of Failure
A MDS Nordion G6 broken female connector

Industry Best Practices

Examples of Failure
A MDS Nordion worn male connector

Worn

New

Industry Best Practices

Maintain your equipment

Operator neglect during storage

Industry Best Practices

Perform Go/No Go checks

Industry Best Practices

Drive Cable Checks

Visually inspect the drive cable for at least 1

foot of length Flex test.
Ensure male connector is attached securely
Check for rust or damage to connector and
cable.

Lessons Learned

Safe Positioning of Magnet Stands

Incidents can easily occur where a magnet stand

falls during exposure and kinks the guide tube.

41

Lessons Learned

Safe Positioning of Magnet Stands

Make sure that the thumbscrew is not damaging

the guide tube.
Length of tube is
too long and
causes the screw
to miss the source
stop.

42

Best Practices

Prevention of Incidents
Good Training program inform operators
Good equipment maintenance program
Audit operators to ensure they are following
procedures.
Key procedure to enforce is proper survey at
front of devices after each exposure.
Ensure operators radiation detection
equipment is worn, calibrated and in working
order.

Current Inititives
CNSC/Industry Focus Group

Industrial Radiography Focus Group that was requested and

put together by the CNSC/DNSR as a result of 2007/2008
information meetings and a subsequent CNSC
commissioners meeting that Industry reps including CIRSA

executive attended.

CNSC/Industry Focus Group

This is a massive step forward for CIRSA, the CNSC and the
industry in addressing some of the known issues and
concerns. It is also precedence setting for the CNSC/Industry
and its success could prove to be beneficial to other industries
and regulatory bodies.
The group has formalized itself with a mission statement and
terms of reference and is aggressively moving forward with
goals and action items in place to tackle the issues. With the
current two meetings per year, the group continues to progress
and meet its mission now and in the future.

Initiatives

Decertification and Fines

The CNSC has increased enforcement tools at

their disposal. This includes but is not limited to:
Stop work orders.
Monetary fines to operators and companies.
Unannounced inspections.
Decertification of operators.
Revocation of company operating license.

46

New & Improved Equipment

New Style Magnet Stands

These new style stands hold much more weight

(200 lb/600lb pull) and are an improvement

47

Improved devices

Radiographic Exposure Devices

Improved Shielding

Decertification of older devices

Average worker dosage (mSv) from 1988 to Dec 31-2010

Safety Culture
SAFETY
A condition that exists when hazards are managed
to an acceptable level of risk