The Information System on Occupational Exposure (ISOE): Current and future developments

Since 1992, the Information System on Occupational Exposure (ISOE), jointly sponsored by the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and the International Atomic Energy Agency, has provided a forum for radiological protection professionals from nuclear power utilities and national regulatory authorities worldwide to discuss, promote and co-ordinate international undertakings for the radiological protection of nuclear power plant workers. The ISOE objective is to improve occupational exposure management at nuclear power plants by exchanging broad and regularly updated information, data and experience on methods to optimise worker radiological protection. To this end, ISOE includes a global occupational exposure data collection and analysis programme, culminating in the world's largest occupational exposure database for nuclear power plants, and a communications network for sharing information and experience amongst participants. At the end of 2007, the programme included 71 Participating Utilities in 29 countries, as well as the regulatory authorities of 25 countries. The ISOE occupational exposure database covers about 90% of the world's operating commercial power reactors, providing an important technical basis for benchmarking ALARA practices between plants and undertaking detailed analyses on current issues in operational radiation protection. A network of utility and authority radiation protection experts allows the exchange of information and experience, facilitating the learning of lessons and the growth of expertise. With a view towards the future, an important goal of this work is to capitalise on these strengths to better meet the needs of ISOE participants and inform the ongoing evolution of occupational radiation protection based on the extensive ISOE operational experience. (author)