France’s nuclear regulator ASN carried out 18 onsite inspections between 15 March and 15 May, 12 of which included examinations for the potential impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
In an update on its website ASN said it had suspended most onsite inspections, but is keeping open the option of carrying them out if necessary. It said six of the inspections were of safety related work.
Most supervisory procedures are being carried out using remote technology. ASN said some of the innovations it has developed for remote inspections will continue to be used even when coronavirus restrictions are lifted.
In an update on its website ASN said it had suspended most onsite inspections, but is keeping open the option of carrying them out if necessary. It said six of the inspections were of safety related work.
Most supervisory procedures are being carried out using remote technology. ASN said some of the innovations it has developed for remote inspections will continue to be used even when coronavirus restrictions are lifted.
ASN said it plans to continue with scheduled 10-years tests for a number of reactor units and had participated in such an inspection at the Chooz B1 pressurised water reactor unit on 15 May.
“ASN teams are currently reviewing the 2020 inspection programme in order to determine inspection priorities in the coming months, taking into account the issues linked to the Covid-19 epidemic,” ASN said. “In this context, particular attention will be paid to organisational and human factors.”
