3.1.4 Regulation in the field of health protection
against radiation

The role of the state health regulator in nuclear facilities is to verify how radiation protection of workers and of the population in the vicinity of a nuclear installation is being provided for. The principal requirements with respect to health protection against radiation have been laid down in legal regulations mentioned in Section 4.6.1.

Since, in the end-effect, the ÚJDś safety requirements on technological equipment and operation of nuclear installations based on the requirements related to health protection and vice versa, cooperation of ÚJD and Slovak Ministry of Health is of importance, as they are complementary. ÚJD and MZ SR made an agreement whose objective has been coordination of regulatory activities and provisions for the complementarity of regulation. A joint commission on issues of common interest was established under the agreement.

3.1.4.1 Approval proceedings

Approving of activities resulting in irradiation follows Act No. 71/1967 Coll. on administrative proceedings. Act No. 470/2000 Coll.LL. on public health protection, as amended, lays down detailed conditions for granting permits, including in particular:

• requirements on applicants for permits,
• requirements on expert representative for the provision for radiation protection,
• requirements concerning the contents of the application for permit,
• list of documents to be approved and other documents.

The Act further lays down the terms of the permit and conditions under which permit may be changed, revoked or under which it loses validity.

The mandatory documents to be attached to the application for permits of activities resulting in irradiation are of two types: those subject to approval, and other documents. The documents subject to approval include:

• radiation protection quality assurance,
• radiation protection programme,
• suggested definition of restricted zone,
• workplace monitoring plan,
• emergency plan.

Other documents include a list of background documents and documents used by the applicant to provide evidence of the meeting of the requirements concerning radiation protection and safe operation of the nuclear facility.

3.1.4.2 Regulatory Authority

The regulatory authority in charge of health protection against radiation in the Slovak Republic are the State Health Institutes , pursuant to the provisions of Act No. 470/2000 Coll.LL. on public health protection, as amended. The bodies of the State health regulator for protection against radiation include Chief Hygienist and the corresponding State Regional Hygienists. With respect to health supervision in nuclear facilities, the responsible body is the Chief Hygienist.

Fig. 3.1.4.2 Structure of state regulatory authorities in the field of health protection against radiation

3.1.4.3 Scope of responsibilities of the regulatory authority

In terms of the provisions of the Act mentioned, with respect to nuclear installations, the Chief Hygienist:

• grants permits for:

  	commissioning of nuclear reactors - physical start-up,
  	permanent operation of nuclear reactors,
  	performance of maintenance and repair works on nuclear reactors,
  	structural and technological changes,
  	transport of radioactive sources,
  	cancellation of workplaces containing nuclear reactor (final removal of radiation sources and of radioactive contamination),
  	release of radioactive substances into the environment, while setting limits for radioactive emissions and liquid discharges,

• approves selected documents and of restricted zones,
• issues opinions on:

  	construction and structural and technological changes during construction relevant from the aspect of radiation protection,
  	the individual steps of commissioning,
  	the individual steps of decommissioning and on structural and technological changes during decommissioning relevant from the aspect of radiation protection,
  	physical planning documents in connection with the location of nuclear reactors,
  	suggestions to set hygienic protection zones,

• issues instructions concerning the elimination of shortcomings identified,
• establishes commissions to review professional competence for activities resulting in irradiation,
• imposes sanctions.

Moreover, the Chief Hygienist grants permits for activities relevant from the aspect of radiation protection:

• for personal dosimetry,
• for monitoring of the general and working environment,
• for the performance of professional training for performance of activities.

Permits issued by Hygienist General of activities resulting in irradiation and concerning nuclear facilities are not final licences granted; they nevertheless represent the precondition for licence to be granted by the state administration authority of jurisdiction.

3.1.4.4 Exercise of state regulatory activities

Regulatory activities connected with radiation protection in nuclear facilities are the responsibility of the Department for Health Protection Against Irradiation at the State Health Institute of the Slovak Republic. This Department is in charge of checking the provision for radiation protection of the staff of nuclear facilities and also of the provision for radiation protection of the population in areas adjacent to the facility. The act referred to regulates the responsibilities of licence holders with respect to the provision of information and with the enabling of the exercise of state regulatory activities, and also sets authorisations of persons exercising the regulatory activities. More details concerning the activities of the division in charge of the regulation may be found in Section 4.6.4.