ABSTRACT
The pandemic situation, originated due to the appearance of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, changed many aspects of our lives and jobs. This health crisis also affected the day-to-day work of radiation protection experts, including the wide range of areas involved in this sector. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of this pandemic on the Spanish radiation protection experts. For that purpose, a Google Forms online survey was developed with 39 questions. The survey covered different aspects related to the work developed by the Spanish professionals, taking into account three different time periods along the pandemic situation. According to this survey, the appearance of COVID-19 modified the labour conditions and modalities of many Spanish radiation protection professionals, especially at the beginning of the pandemic. Most on-site activities were related to the health sector and the nuclear industry, other sectors were more flexible, and the workload increased for half of the surveyed participants. Many operational activities suffered delays due to the pandemic, whereas the one-month wearing period of passive personal dosimeters was extended in most cases during the first Spanish alarm state (15th March 2020 up to the 21st June 2020). Finally, difficulties faced in terms of the working area have been identified and may be useful for the future.
ABSTRACT
The measures implemented to limit the spread of Covid-19 have brought many challenges on the work organization, the radiation protection being no exception. The IRPA Young Generation Network has investigated through a collection of testimonies the impacts of these measures and how the continuity and consistency of radiation protection was ensured. This article presents the results of the analysis of the testimonies. The impacts of the Covid-19 for each of the radiation protection related sectors covered by the survey are presented from a young generation perspective. The impacts are never negligible and even more important in some sectors and for some type of work. The adaptations made to the radiation protection and how they were implemented are shown, as well as the lessons-learned from these unprecedented circumstances.