Hygienic assessment of the working conditions of personnel of nuclear shipbuilding and ship repair enterprises when handling radioactive waste

An increase in recent years in the volume of work on the construction and repair of nuclear facilities for marine equipment has led to an increase in the amount of radioactive waste generated and, consequently, work on their processing, which may contribute to an increase in personnel radiation doses. The study of the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of a complex of production factors that negatively affect personnel when performing work on radioactive waste management is necessary to develop preventive measures aimed at improving working conditions and prolonging professional longevity. The study aims to explore the working conditions of employees of nuclear shipbuilding and ship repair enterprises when handling radioactive waste. The researchers assessed the levels of exposure to harmful and(or) hazardous production factors based on materials from the company's production control, a special assessment of working conditions, and field research data. The scientists carried out measurements of the parameters in accordance with certified measurement methods. All measuring instruments used have passed metrological control in a timely manner. The authors have obtained new data to assess the impact of harmful and(or) dangerous environmental factors of a chemical and physical nature on personnel. The working conditions of the main professional groups are considered harmful and in some cases dangerous due to a number of environmental factors (ionizing radiation, noise, microclimate, light environment). The most radiation-hazardous work takes place at the site for processing liquid and solid radioactive waste, as well as at the site for storing solid radioactive waste. In the workplaces of personnel during the storage and processing of radioactive waste, the prevailing harmful and(or) dangerous production factors are ionizing radiation, industrial noise, irrational lighting and microclimate. At the same time, non-compliance of illumination levels, noise and microclimate parameters in workplaces with hygienic standards can lead to an increase in the time required to perform radiation-hazardous work and an increase in the individual effective radiation dose received by personnel. Thus, reducing the impact of these factors can be considered a priority for improving working conditions.