Simulated sources

摘要

A recent report by safety experts revealed that staff at a major UK nuclear facility did "not have the level of capability required to respond to nuclear emergencies effectively," a situation that "could have led to delays in responding to a nuclear emergency and a prolonged release of radioactive material off-site." The inspectors found evidence of "significant deficiencies around availability of resources, frequency and quality of training, competency and operational preparedness". The safety exercise had been designed to test the capabilities of the site's fire and rescue team to locate two people after a fictional accident that led to the spillage of radioactive liquid and an aerial release of radioactivity. Despite the fact that the exercise presented 'simple scenarios under ideal conditions,' the service's resources were judged to be 'stretched', according to a report by the UK's Office for Nuclear Regulation. On the positive side, a spokesman for the site said the successful introduction of an IRMP (Integrated Risk Management Plan) had subsequently led to an improvement notice being closed by the regulator). The IRMP was the first of its kind for the site and has been considered of such value that the ONR has asked for the advice within to be shared with other operators as an example of best practice.