Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Face Nuclear Risks

Before considering to operate in a nuclear environment, it is obviously important to assess both specific risks: irradiation and contamination. For the last 60 years, various strategies have been worldwide implemented including policies like ALARP, ALARA, TEDE … in view of reducing the impact of these risks on the worker. In the meantine, various PPE have been developed against these risks for all working configurations (Fuel cycle industry, Electricity production, Post Nuclear accident…), combining a higher whole body protection efficiency comparing to the old full face mask combined with a non ventilated suit and a more comfortable way to perform the task with the associated impact on the dose reduction. Starting from the EC 89/686 European directive, we will try to offer a way to compare the PPE performance. (author)