Abstract
Nuclear Energy Agency organise a series of international nuclear emergency exercises
On 7 November 1996, the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD/NEA) initiated a series of international nuclear emergency exercises (INEX-2) involving specific Member country nuclear facilities. The first of these exercises is to be conducted in conjunction with a regional exercise (FORTUNA) in Switzerland and south-western Germany. The sponsorship of such exercises by the OECD/NEA started in 1993 with INEX-1.
The objectives of this first exercise in the INEX-2 series are:
to test the communications systems to be used in a real emergency for notification and exchange of information;
to test decision-making on countermeasures in the early phase of an accident based on incomplete or uncertain information; and
to test the communication of information to the public in nuclear emergency situations.
This exercise will be followed by three similar exercises in the INEX-2 series in 1997 and 1998, to be organised in conjunction with regional exercises in Finland, Canada and Hungary.
IAEA new publications
Safety Series No. 119. Emergency Planning and Preparedness for Re-entry of a Nuclear Powered Satellite Price: 280 Austrian Schillings (61 pp, 4 figures) 1996
Although the probability of nuclear powered satellite re-entries is small, the present guidebook was prepared to assist States in planning for possible re-entry events and to provide international consensus guidance for responding to such a situation. In particular, this document provides guidance for specific actions to be taken from the time of the announcement of an impending re-entry event through the locating, monitoring and recovery phases.
1. Introduction; 2. Risks associated with re-entry of an NPS; 3. Emergency planning and preparedness; Annex I: Guidance for local organizations response (local police, civil defence, fire-fighting); Annex II: Guidance for hospitals; Annex III: Guidance for local agriculture organizations; Annex IV: Guidance on approaching debris; Annex V: Example criteria for protective actions with respect to direct exposure to widely dispersed radioactive particles from reactor powered satellites; Annex VI: Example guidance on decision criteria for protective actions with respect to direct exposure to widely dispersed radioactive particles; Annex VII: Guidance on establishment of screening centres following re-entry; Annex VIII: Guidance concerning food use following re-entry; Annex IX: Guidance concerning water use following re-entry.
Proceedings Series. One Decade After Chernobyl - Summing up the Consequences of the Accident Price: 1600 Austrian Schillings (555 pp 42 figures) 1996
Proceedings of an international conference, jointly sponsored by the European Commission, IAEA and WHO, and held in cooperation with UNDHA, UNESCO, UNEP, UNSCEAR, FAO and OECD/NEA, Vienna, 8 - 12 April 1996. Two major objectives were to reach agreement on established scientific facts and to clarify their interpretation in order to promote comprehension of the consequences of the Chernobyl accident and to help dispel misapprehensions. Background papers were prepared by teams of scientists from around the world who collaborated to ascertain and present the current state of knowledge on the health and environmental consequences of the accident. Nuclear safety aspects and the accident's social and economic impact were also considered, as well as the conclusions drawn at related conferences and in other national and international projects. The conference was attended by more than 800 experts in the field of radiation protection and nuclear safety, including medical, environmental and engineering specialists. The conference did much to achieve a broad consensus on the accident's consequences and to consolidate a common understanding of their nature and magnitude. In particular, the results of the conference will assist those countries most affected by the consequences in developing well informed and balanced policies for their alleviation. The proceedings contain a summary of the conference results and the texts of oral presentations and discussions, while an IAEA technical document (TECDOC) will reproduce material from 181 poster presentations as well as the List of Participants.
Summary of the conference results: Opening session; Briefing seminar: Updating sessions; Keynote presentations. Technical symposium: Topical session 1: Clinically observed effects; Topical session 2: Thyroid effects; Topical session 3: Long term health effects; Topical session 4: Other health related effects: Psychological consequences, stress, anxiety; Topical session 5: Consequences for the environment; Topical session 6: Social, economic, institutional and political impact; Topical session 7: Nuclear safety remedial measures; Topical session 8: The consequences in perspective: Prognosis for the future; Concluding session of the technical symposium; Panel discussion; Closing session.
INSAG Series No. 10. Defence in Depth in Nuclear Safety - A Report by the International Nuclear Safety Advisory Group Price: 200 Austrian Schillings (33 pp) 1996
The present report deals with the concept of defence in depth in nuclear and radiation safety, discussing its objectives, strategy, implementation and future development. The report is intended for use by governmental authorities and by the nuclear industry and its supporting organisations. It is intended to stimulate discussion and to promote practical action at all levels to enhance safety.
1. Introduction; 2. The approach to defence in depth; 3. Implementation of defence in depth; 4. Enhancement of defence in depth for plants currently operating; 5. Development of defence in depth for future nuclear power plants.
Safety Series No. 50-P-12. Procedures for Conducting Probabilistic Safety Assessments of Nuclear Power Plants (Level 3): Off-Site Consequences and Estimation of Risks to the Public Price: 280 Austrian Schillings (68 pp, 4 figures) 1996
This report on Level 3 Probabilistic Safety Assessments (PSAs) completes the series on procedures for conducting PSAs of nuclear power plants. It provides insights into the relative importance of accident prevention and mitigative measures, expressed in terms of the adverse consequences for the health of the public and the contamination of land, air, water and foodstuffs. The relative effectiveness of emergency response planning aspects of off-site accident management and their economic impacts are another important part of a Level 3 PSA.
1. Introduction; 2. Probabilistic consequence analysis; 3. Performing a Level 3 PSA; 4. Managing a Level 3 PSA; Annex I: Current developments in probabilistic consequence analysis; Annex II: Selection of a consequence analysis code; Annex III: Sample structure for a Level 3 PSA report.
The Radiological Accident at the Irradiation Facility in Nesvizh Price: 280 Austrian Schillings (76 pp, 37 figures) 1996
On 26 October 1991, a fatal radiological accident occurred at an industrial sterilisation facility in Nesvizh, Belarus. Following a jam in the internal product transport system, the operator entered the irradiation chamber to clear the fault. In doing so, he bypassed a number of safety features, leaving the controls in a position such that exposure was imminent. It was estimated that he received a whole body dose of 11 Gy, with localised areas of up to 20 Gy. Despite intensive medical treatment, he died 113 days later. The significant feature of this case was related to the medical management. In its post-accident review, the IAEA also brought to light other circumstances of the accident. The present report documents the causes and consequences of the accident and defines the lessons learned with a view to assisting those people with responsibility for the safety of such facilities and those medical authorities who might be involved in the management of a radiation event.
1. Introduction; 2. Irradiation facility; 3. Radiation accident; 4. Dose estimation; 5. Lessons learned; 6. Medical management; Annex I: Estimation of whole body dose from blood cell counts; Annex II: Results of cytogenetic analyses; Annex III: List of drugs, doses and administration dates.
Lessons Learned from Accidents in Industrial Irradiation Facilities Price: 240 Austrian Schillings (52 pp, 10 figures) 1996
The purpose of this publication is to present the results of a review of accidents in industrial radiography which have either been reported to regulatory authorities or to professional associations, or been published in scientific journals. Use of ionising radiation in medicine, industry and research for technical development continues to increase throughout the world. Although this industry has a good safety record, there is a potential for accidents with serious consequences to human health because of the high dose rates produced by these sources. Five fatal accidents occurred between 1975 and 1994. Such accidents have prompted the present review, carried out by a team of manufacturers, regulatory authorities and operating organisations. Having closely looked at the circumstances of each accident, the apparent deficiencies in design, safety and regulatory systems and personnel performance, the team made a number of recommendations. The findings of extensive research pertaining to the lessons that can be learned from irradiation accidents are presented.
1. Introduction; 2. Brief description of accidents; 3. Major causes of accidents and lessons learned; 4. Prevention of remedial actions; Annex: Accidents with fatal consequences and with severe radiation injuries; References.