 INES |
External contamination of a worker beyond the annual statutory limit to the skin |
On 25 July 2025, the operator of the Gravelines nuclear power plant reported a significant radiation protection event concerning the exceeding of an annual individual dose limit by an EDF contractor.
Reactor 1 at the Gravelines nuclear power plant was in shut down for maintenance and refuelling. During the night of 23 to 24 July, as part of radiographic testing of a pipe located in the reactor building, a worker was contaminated on the head. This contamination was detected at the exit of the reactor building during a radiological check.
The worker was taken care of by the changing room attendant in order to remove the radioactive particles, and then by the site's medical service.
The occupational physician carried out a conservative assessment of the dose received, taking into account the worker's activities within the reactor building. This assessment showed that the dose received by the worker's neck exceeded the regulatory limit for equivalent skin dose (500 mSv).
As soon as the contamination was discovered, the operator took action to identify its source. However, radiological checks carried out in the premises where the agent was present did not reveal any particular anomalies.
The ASNR carried out an on-site inspection on 28 July 2025 to verify that the operator had taken all necessary measures to manage the event adequately, analyse its causes and resume operations safely. During the inspection, contamination checks were carried out on the pipework involved in the activity, with negative results.
Event date: Thu, 24-07-2025
