Design and practices at four European synchrotron radiation facilities

The European Directive 96/29/Euratom of 13/05/1996, based on the ICRP 60 Recommendations, defines basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionising radiation. Member states of the European Union have had to integrate these basic standards in their national legislation. Synchrotron radiation facilities are affected by this new radiation protection legislation. In the UK, the Daresbury Synchrotron Radiation Source (SRS) operates under the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999, and the third generation Diamond Light Source (DLS) project is largely benefiting from their experience. In France, the ESRF case is presently being used to define detailed prescriptions, that will also apply to future sources in this country, for example the third generation light source Synchrotron Soleil, presently under construction. This paper summarises general policies and practices of these four SR facilities: SRS, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), DLS and Synchrotron Soleil.