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Event Report Forms (ERFs) are filed to the IAEA. Sometimes there are multiple event reports, updating the rating, the event description. Here you only see the latest event report

ERF send date: Fri, 07-11-2008
ERF description: Exposure of more than 10 non-classified workers over regulatory annual limits for the public

The French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) was informed, on 7 October 2008, of the discovery of elevator buttons contaminated by colbalt-60 produced by the Mafelec company in South East of France. ASN performed an inspection at the Mafelec site, on October 8, with the technical support of IRSN, to assess the levels of radiation exposures and found that more than 10 individuals received an effective dose of radiation in excess of annual limits for the public. ASN decided to rate this event at level 2 on INES.
ASN got in contact with regulatory Authorities of the other countries involved in order to exchange information on this event. The Swedish Nuclear Safety Authority informed ASN that Sweden received contaminated goods. In India, companies BUNTS, LAXMI, SKM STEELS, VIPRAS CASTINGS LTD, PRADEEP METALS LTD may have forwarded contaminated goods with colbalt-60 to several countries. ASN remains in contact with the Indian Nuclear Safety Authority in order to receive information on inspections performed at these sites.
ASN pursues its investigations in France, in particular at the OTIS company, main client of Mafelec, were measurements of parts originating from Mafelec were performed and contaminated parts were found. Sorting and isolation operations are being performed at all sites and in all the distribution network of OTIS in France. Radiation exposures at these sites are lower than those found at Mafelec and below annual regulatory limits.
ASN requested OTIS the complete and immediate cease of use of parts found to be contaminated and the inventory of all the buttons which may have been installed during the last weeks. OTIS committed itself to replace the buttons so needing. ASN requested Mafelec to refrain from using the buttons received from India since the first of August 2008. This company resumed the delivery of buttons from its stock older than this date.
More information is available on : www.asn.fr

ERF rating date: 21-10-2008
ERF contact person: David Landier
ERF address: 10 route du Panorama, 92266 Fontenay -Aux-Roses France
ERF affiliation: ASN

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