Title: Risk assessment in the industrial radiography practice in India using probabilistic approach

Authors: Alok Pandey; Prashant S. Rawat; Avinash U. Sonawane

Addresses: Radiological Safety Division, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, Niyamak Bhavan, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, India ' Department of Nuclear Science & Technology, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Bidholi, Dehradun 248007, India ' Radiological Safety Division, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, Niyamak Bhavan, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, India

Abstract: Industrial gamma radiography utilises appropriate radioisotopes housed in the radiography devices which provide shielding from the ionising radiations, for imaging of the weld joints and castings. The radiography devices are operated manually by rotating the control unit to project the gamma source outside the shielding, in a projection sheath. Deviation from the standard operating procedures or malfunctioning of the gamma radiography equipment may result in potential exposure to occupational workers. Probabilistic safety assessment has been carried out to calculate the probabilities of potential exposure to occupational workers in industrial gamma radiography practice in India. Fault trees have been designed for failure assessment of radiation area monitoring instruments, the functionality of which is crucial to ensure safe industrial gamma radiography operations. Operational procedures leading to the potential exposure scenarios have been sequenced in the event tree. The probability of most severe potential exposure category is calculated as 3.506E-04 for open field radiography operations and slightly lower value of 1.293E-04 for enclosed radiography operations. Assessment results identify the contributory factors to potential exposure, along with their relative contribution. Results indicate that probability of potential exposure can be reduced by adopting safe work practice by operators and responsible attitude of radiological safety officers towards trainees and untrained persons.

Keywords: potential exposure; industrial radiography; risk assessment; radiation safety; probabilistic safety assessment; Delphi survey; occupational exposure; radiation protection; India.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRAM.2018.093752

International Journal of Risk Assessment and Management, 2018 Vol.21 No.3, pp.232 - 247

Received: 10 Nov 2016
Accepted: 17 Aug 2017
Published online: 03 Aug 2018 *

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