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The main objective of the present work was to assess the increased radiological risk due to the deficiencies detected during the regulatory inspections of Cobalto therapy services. The method used was the Risk Matrix, developed by the Ibero-American Forum of Regulatory Bodies, through which the relationship of the deficiencies found with the deterioration of the barriers and frequency and consequences reductors described in the practice risk model was studied. As a result of the work, the heterogeneous contribution of the deficiencies was found in a considerable number of initiating events of the stated model. The analysis carried out demonstrates the feasibility of applying this method in evaluating the impact of the deficiencies detected, as well as its support in the grouping of the recommended coercive actions to compensate those deficiencies with the greatest impact on the general state of the security of the service. Risk monitoring, based on the impact of defense measures as a consequence of the impact of deficiencies detected during regulatory inspections, is a useful resource for the inspector, who finds in it a scientific support that relates the regulations to be applied with the computerized code capabilities based on risk matrix. This makes it possible to optimize decision-making, which is important, both for the inspector and for the regulated entity. The use of the suggested methodology would make it possible to reduce the dependence on the inspector's expertise during inspections, a criterion that has traditionally prevailed in this activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of substances to diagnose or identify a system specific phase, that is, which function as tracers, is an effective tool in the study of multiple phenomena. There are several kinds of tracers and, within them, radioactive tracers are the most sensitive and used for the study and online diagnosis of many systems, hence their use in industrial processes has an extensive use. However, an authorization from the National Regulatory Body is necessary to use radioactive sources. The safety assessment, the radiation protection program, operational and safety procedures as well as the emergency plan were prepared and presented to the Regulatory Body to apply for authorization. The safety assessment includes the dose estimations for normal operations and potential doses in accidental situations. The safety analysis used the methodology of risk matrixes. As a result, it was obtained that the doses under normal operating conditions comply with the annual limits for occupationally exposed workers and for the public, while the risk levels are predominantly low, so it was concluded that it is possible to carry out the practice under adequate security conditions and the CPHR obtained the operating license. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking into account that Latin America and the Caribbean countries have common interests in the practical application of the optimization principle and that the networks existing in other regions of the world were contributing to the improvement of occupational radiation protection infrastructures, the Network for the Optimization of Occupational Radiation Protection in Latin America and the Caribbean (REPROLAM) was created. In current international context, the increase of peer information exchange on topics dealing with safety and radiological protection using state-of-the-art information and communication technology has been promoted. In this scenario, the REPROLAM Website is developed as an information and communication tool in the field of occupational radiological protection and as a means of social appropriation of knowledge in this field, from which all countries in the region can benefit. In this paper the main characteristics and results of the created platform are shown. In a dynamic environment for the development of information technologies and networks, the existence of the REPROLAM Website has contributed to the network being able to meet its goals of grouping people whose professional activities are developed in the field of protection occupational radiological protection in Latin America and the Caribbean, contributing to the harmonization of policies and practices in this field, and to the integration and cooperation in relation to the knowledge and specialized services in occupational radiological protection available to the countries of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The kilovoltage radiotherapy is a recently re-implemented practice in the National Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Cuba to treat patients. One of the problems to approve its use is the assessment of risks associated to this practice. The present paper shows a summary of the pattern of accidental sequences proposed for this practice and its risk is quantified by using the risk matrix methodology. The SECURE-MR code has been used as the tool selected to implement such a practice. In addition to customary analysis facilities, this code has some other novel characteristics allowing us to establish the contributors' priorities. The global results of the risk assessment for the proposed pattern, as well as some particular optimization practices are included in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiological safety assessments are required by in force regulations as a means to verify compliance with the requirements. Different methods have been used for this purpose and this paper presents the results of applying the Risk Matrix method, which was first applied to the practice of well logging. The work included the identification of major equipment failures and human errors that could lead to accidents as well as safety barriers provided. For each initiating event, its frequency of occurrence, the severity of its consequences and the probability of failure of the barriers identified were evaluated. Starting from these assumptions, associated risks were determined for each of the identified accident sequences, using the SEVRRA, "Risk Assessment System", code originally designed to be used in radiotherapy. As a result of this research sequences of increased risk associated to the practice of well logging, were identified being the starting point for the further implementation of a coherent program of dose optimization in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of the Probabilistic Safety Assessment to the radiotherapy treatment with an Electron Linear Accelerator for Medical Use, which was conducted in the framework of the Iberian-American Forum of Radiological and Nuclear Regulatory Agencies. Potential accidental exposures during the treatment of patients, workers and members of the public were assessed, although the study was mainly focused on patients. The methodology of failure modes and effects analysis was used to define accident initiating events and methods of event tree and fault tree analysis to determine the accident sequences that may occur. After quantifying the frequency of occurrence of the accident sequences, an important analysis was carried out in order to determine the most significant events from the point of view of safety. The major contributors to risk were identified as well as the most appropriate safety recommendations to reduce it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Risk Matrix method is a standardized procedure with a wide application in Industry with regard to risk approach to safety management by addressing events' frequency and consequence, however it is not customary used in the safety evaluation of radioactive facilities. This report introduces a modification to Risk Matrix methods for the evaluation of safety in the treatment with radiotherapy and, also presents the results of an evaluation for cobalt 60 treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The validity of using Event Trees as an adequate quantitative analysis approach for conducting radiological safety assessments is presented in this work. The radiological safety assessments made for five Radiotherapy Facilities, during the authorization process, were taken as the base for the analysis. The risk values were obtained by the combination of the probabilities of each success and its consequences. The use of this approach allowed to suggest improvements to safety systems and also to confirm that present regulatory requirements for this type of facilities lead to practices with acceptable risk levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of the Probabilistic Safety Assessment (PSA) to the cobalt Therapy Treatment Process in the Oncological Unit of Pinar del Rio city to evaluate occupational, public and medical exposures during cobalt therapy treatment. Equipment's failures modes and human error were evaluated for each system and treatment stage aimed at obtaining an exhaustive list of the deviations with a reasonable probability to occur and may produce significant adverse outcomes. The lowest exposures probabilities correspond to the public exposures during the treatment process; around E-10 per year, being the workers exposures around E-04 per year. Regarding the patient, exposures frequencies vary in dependence of the extent to which the error affect individual treatment, individual patients, or all the patients treated on a specific unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important concerns of the postindustrial societies lies on the specification and quantification of risk, the Risk Assessment. However, the efforts and resources devoted to such goal have not avoided a growing worry about both the environmental conditions and the situations that potentially threaten it, generating an intense social debate about risks. In this framework, discrepancies between experts and public evaluations of risks leaded to the study of Social Risk Perception. Several theoretical scopes have tried to characterize the phenomenon. A worthy conclusion of the empirical studies carried out on this issue is that all of them, experts and public, are influenced by some factors which, in turns, affect their risk perception. Specially striking is the fact that perception of risk among experts is also modulated by qualitative, personal and social factors. Social Risk Perception, through the processes of Communication and Social Participation, has been configurated as a critical tool for both risk prevention and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]