Managing a radiological emergency

Overview

ABSTRACT

Regardless of the constant improvements applied to security measures concerning facilities or transport, and of the regular reinforcement of safety devices, the zero risk of a nuclear accident is unachievable. Therefore, one must be ready to address potential radiological emergency situations that may impact public health. This is the duty and responsibility of the operators from the nuclear sector and of public authorities who must, on a regular basis, conceive, develop and test specific organizations which are to be implemented in the event of such situations.

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AUTHOR

Philippe DUBIAU: Atomic Engineer - Head of the Emergency Situations and Crisis Organization Department, Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire IRSN

INTRODUCTION

No matter how much we constantly improve the safety of our facilities and transport systems, and how much we regularly reinforce our safety measures, the "zero" risk of a nuclear accident can never be achieved. As a result, we need to be prepared for possible radiological emergencies that could affect public health.

It is the duty and responsibility of nuclear operators and public authorities to design and develop a specific organization for such situations, and to test it regularly.

The protection of people is the absolute priority which must motivate the decisions taken in such circumstances by the various people in charge, and in particular by the operator of an accidented installation, who must first and foremost take all the necessary steps to return his installation to a safe state.

Following a review of potential radiological emergencies and the associated risks, this document describes the organization of crisis management in France and how it operates on a national and international scale. It is completed by the , which successively presents exercises to test this organization, feedback from past accidents and exercises, and a few points on post-accident management.

Both dossiers deal mainly with accident situations that could affect nuclear facilities. Additional information is provided to clarify the transposition to other events.