ASN Report 2017

260 ASN report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2017 Chapter 08  - Regional overview of nuclear safety and radiation protection whether it concerns the spent fuel storage pool on the Pégase installation, the Rapsodie experimental reactor (shut down), the enriched uranium processing facilities, the central fissile material warehouse or the radioactive waste storage yard, ASN notes that the milestones for removal of waste and spent fuel are duly followed. With regard to the ATPu and the LCP, the work coordinated by Areva NC to remove the glove boxes and proceed with the radioactive clean-out of the cells is finished. Concerning the continued operation of the old facilities, the licensee submitted ten periodic safety review reports in 2017. These reports, which analyse the regulatory conformity of the facilities and present continuous improvement action plans for nuclear safety and radiation protection, will be examined in the years to come. With regard to the BNI construction or redevelopment work, ASN considers that construction of the Jules Horowitz Reactor (JHR) is proceeding with the required rigour. The qualification tests of the Cabri reactor in its new configuration were satisfactory, although management of the reactor trips associated with these tests could be improved. The measures taken in the Centre with regard to the management of nuclear safety and radiation protection are on the whole satisfactory, despite the complexity of the CEA’s organisation. With regard to the monitoring of outside contractors, ASN notes the entry into application of monitoring plans for work performed on elements important to protection. In addition, the coordination of analyses to learn lessons from significant events that could be of interest to several BNIs at the Centre is now operational. ASN makes a positive assessment of operation of the BNIs in several areas. Skills and training are well managed. Social, organisational and human factors are generally properly taken into account in the events analyses and in the modifications requests. The management of periodic checks and tests has improved and reached a satisfactory standard. ASN notes the progress in compliance with the operating rules and related documents. ASN considers that the CEAmust continue its efforts to improve protection against the fire risk and waste management. With regard to protection against the fire risk, ASN has asked the CEA to ensure greater operational readiness of its emergency teams. It will notably be attentive so ensure that the “fire” drills are conducted under as realistic conditions as possible. With regard to waste management, an in-depth inspection conducted from 25th to 29th September 2017 concluded that waste management in the centre was relatively satisfactory, with good practices to be consolidated and some areas to be improved, such as compliance with the storage rules. Overall coordination of the Cadarache centre is relatively satisfactory, but must be tightened, particularly in taking into account the challenges of the BNIs concerned by waste management and deviation management. ASNwill also be attentive to ensure that ASN resolution 2017-DC-0587 of 23rd March 2017, applicable on 1st July 2018, is taken into account in the centre’s planned change in coordination. With regard to experience feedback from the Fukushima accident, the CEA has met with difficulties in starting the construction of robust premises for emergency situation management provided for in ASN resolution 2015-DC-0479 of 8th January 2015. The licensee has asked that the initial prescribed deadline of 30th September 2018 be pushed back. This request is currently being examined. ASN will take into account the fact that these premises will have to be designed to withstand extreme earthquake and tornado hazards. The environmental protection measures taken by the centre are satisfactory. The revision of the provisions relative to the discharge authorisations was concluded in July 2017 when ASN signed resolutions relative to the discharge “conditions” and “limits” for the site BNIs. The new arrangement takes better account of the actual operating situation of the centre’s BNIs and governs the updating of the impact studies of some of the BNIs. The licensee is currently integrating the new provisions of these resolutions in its operating baseline requirements. ITER ASN carried out 3 inspections of ITER in 2017, including one 3-day inspection of the European domestic agency 1 Fusion for Energy (F4E) in Barcelona. This inspection was carried out as a follow-up to ASN’s request to the nuclear licensee ITER Organization to reinforce its monitoring of the domestic agency F4E with regard to certain work packages manufactured in Europe. Despite substantial delays, the construction and manufacturing work and the procurement of equipment for the facility continued under satisfactory conditions. ASN notes the continued efforts in the organisation of this international project. The nuclear licensee asked for a modification of ASN resolution 2013-DC-0379 of 12th November 2013 governing the project design/construction, further to ITER’s adoption of a strategy of gradual commissioning of the facility and “critical path” management of the project schedule. ASN resolution 2017-DC-0601 of 24th August 2017 amends the abovementioned resolution. The ASN inspections have highlighted a significant improvement in the way the licensee ITER embraces the safety requirements and in their dissemination along the subcontracting line. ASN nevertheless expects more attentive monitoring of the activities important to protection of certain work packages, particularly concerning the buildings and utilities. Gammaster ioniser ASN carried out one inspection of Gammaster in 2017 and considers that the level of nuclear safety and radiation protection remains satisfactory. Improvements have been observed in deviation management. The licensee must continue its efforts, for example, by taking into account international experience feedback from similar facilities, by improving its environmental sampling methodology and control, and by finalising the regulatory watch measures undertaken. The licensee moreover submitted the first periodic safety review of the installation to ASN on 30th December 2016, for which an additional information request was made on 24th July 2017. 1. Each of the seven countries or group of ITER member countries (China, the European Union, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia, the United States) has created a “Domestic Agency” responsible for providing the nuclear operator with the elements of the installation for which it has been entrusted the manufacture. PROVENCE-ALPES-CÔTE D’AZUR