Cuban experience in the licensing of the recharge and commissioning of a px-γ -3 irradiator

The Cuban Regulatory Authority has paid special attention to the verification of compliance with the radiological safety requirements during the licensing process of category 1 practices executed in the country. To this end, it has followed a consistent policy based on demands collected in the legal framework established in Resolution No. 334/2011 Regulation on notification and authorization of practices associated with the use of ionizing radiation. The work exposes the experiences, technical criteria, requirements of the safety evaluation and the rigorous conditions that the licensee must meet in the process of recharging and putting into service a irradiator model PX-γ .30 to obtain a license in order to extend the life of the installation, in accordance with the recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency. In addition, they are detailed aspects of safety assessment related to the construction and use of a swimming pool in the discharge operations of 24 radioactive sources of 60Co; as well as the control and verification of requirements of radiological protection and physical security during the activities of import, transport, discharge, loading, and commissioning of the irradiator. The experience gained and the results of the evaluation constitute a source of reference and consultation necessary for the future work of the Regulatory Authority, which will be considered in processes analogs in other irradiation facilities in the country. (author)