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Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology, Vol. 64 No. 2, 2013.

Professional paper

https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-64-2013-2289

Attitude towards Personal Protective Equipment in the French Nuclear Fuel Industry

Irina Guseva Canu ; IRSN/PRP-Homme/SRBE/LEPID, Fontenay-aux-Roses1, In VS/ DST, Saint Maurice2, Service Santé du Travail, Pierrelatte, France
Ségolène Faust ; IRSN/PRP-Homme/SRBE/LEPID, Fontenay-aux-Roses1, DIRECCTE, Service Santé du Travail, Pierrelatte, France
Pierre Canioni ; EURODIF-production, Service Santé du Travail, Pierrelatte, France
Philippe Collomb ; AREVA5, Service Santé du Travail, Pierrelatte, France
Eric Samson ; IRSN/PRP-Homme/SRBE/LEPID, Fontenay-aux-Roses1, DIRECCTE, Service Santé du Travail, Pierrelatte, France
Dominique Laurier ; IRSN/PRP-Homme/SRBE/LEPID, Fontenay-aux-Roses1, DIRECCTE, Service Santé du Travail, Pierrelatte, France

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Abstract

This descriptive cross-sectional study examines the compliance of workers from the European Gaseous Diffusion Uranium Enrichment Consortium (EURODIF) with personal protection equipment (PPE) in view of the various hazards in the nuclear fuel industry. The PPE inventory was drawn up by an industrial hygienist in charge of the PPE at EURODIF. Two hundred and twenty seven (10 %) randomly selected, active and retired, EURODIF workers filled in a questionnaire on their attitudes towards PPE. Exposure data from the EURODIF job exposure matrix were used to examine whether PPE usage varies according to exposure level. The study suggests a PPE usage profile that varies depending on the hazards present and PPE available. Anti-uranium PPE and gloves were among the best rated, while anti-spray goggles were the least used. We found that, for most hazards known to cause cancer or irreversible health damage, PPE usage varied according to exposure (homogeneity test, p<0.05; trend test, p<0.05). The continuous use of PPE among workers should be encouraged through improvements to the PPE management system. A precise model of individual exposure can only be designed if the use and efficiency of PPE are taken into consideration.

Keywords

epidemiology; nuclear workers; uranium

Hrčak ID:

103939

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/103939

Publication date:

18.6.2013.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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