|
A. BACKGROUND
Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) is the owner and operator of a number of nuclear facilities which include nuclear power plants, research reactors, nuclear medical centers, nuclear agricultural and biotechnology centers, industrial units using radioactive sources, research and training centers etc. PAEC being the licensee of nuclear facilities has overall responsibility for the fulfillment of safety requirements for its nuclear activities. The purpose of this document is to establish and declare the basic nuclear safety policy from which specific safety rules, procedures and other requirements follow. However it is appropriate to mention that PAEC has been fulfilling the safety objectives even prior to this formal policy statement.
B. STATEMENT OF THE POLICY
It is the policy of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) that the general public is protected such that no individual bears significant additional risk to health and safety from the operation of a PAEC nuclear facility above the risks to which the members of the general population are normally exposed. PAEC is committed to taking appropriate steps so that occupational radiation exposure to personnel working in its nuclear facilities is maintained as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA). PAEC is also committed to achieving excellent performance in all activities important to safety and to striving for improvements in safety related equipment and practices wherever it is reasonably practicable to do so. PAEC undertakes that necessary financial and material resources as well as qualified and trained manpower continue to be provided for safe operation and safety upgrades of operating facilities, and for safe design of new facilities. PAEC is committed to ensuring that an acceptable level of nuclear safety is accorded the highest priority and is not compromised for any reason.
C. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLICY
To implement this nuclear safety policy, PAEC undertakes to establish safety objectives, effective management, safety oversight and assessment programs, decommissioning and radioactive waste management programs, emergency preparedness plans, physical protection plans and manpower development programs. PAEC also undertakes that adherence to safety regulations and standards, establishment of an adequate safety culture and information to public about nuclear emergencies are ensured.
1. Safety Objectives
i) PAEC is committed to taking all reasonably practical steps to achieve the following two safety objectives:
a) The risk of prompt fatality to an average individual in the vicinity of a PAEC nuclear facility, as a result of an accident in the facility, should not exceed 0.1 % of the sum of prompt fatalities due to other accidents to which the members of the public are generally exposed.
b) The risk of cancer fatalities to population in the area of a PAEC nuclear facility that might result from the operation of the facility should not exceed 0.1 % of the sum of all cancer fatalities due to all other causes.
It is appropriate to mention that these safety objectives are not substitutes for compliance with regulations.
ii) In striving to realize these objectives PAEC is committed to designing, constructing, operating and decommissioning its nuclear facilities with:
· appropriate barriers and engineered safety features to prevent or minimize potential radioactive releases.
· procedural controls to mitigate the effects of potential releases.
iii) Proposed modifications to existing facilities to achieve these objectives shall be prioritized based on their safety significance.
2. Management
PAEC is committed to establishing clear lines of authority and responsibility for ensuring safety at all levels. The management of a PAEC nuclear facility has the primary responsibility for safe operation of the facility according to the applicable regulations. The management of the facility is also responsible for providing clear and adequate guidance to its contractors to ensure that safety is integrated into all the activities. Contractor responsibility for safety does not in any way relieve the management of the facility of the responsibility of assuring safety. Assurance of safety is not to be compromised to achieve production or research objectives.
3. Safety Regulations and Standards
PAEC is committed to compliance with national safety regulations and adherence to applicable national standards for its licensed nuclear facilities.
4. Oversight and Assessment of Safety
PAEC undertakes to ensure that the managements of its nuclear facilities have adequate capability for monitoring and assessing their safety performance. PAEC is committed to establishing and maintaining a capability at the corporate level, independent of the management of its nuclear facilities, to monitor and oversee all aspects of safety. Independent oversight is not a substitute for the responsibility of the management of a nuclear facility. It serves as an independent source of information for senior management. Independent reviews and assessments performed by national regulatory body and international expert organizations are also beneficial in the fulfillment of safety objectives.
5. Decommissioning and Waste Management
PAEC undertakes to establish aging management programs at its nuclear power plants for maintaining the level of safety. PAEC is committed to carrying out decommissioning of its nuclear facilities in a safe manner when it becomes necessary. PAEC is also committed to safe and secure management of radioactive waste generated from activities in its nuclear facilities in compliance to National Policy on Radioactive Waste Management. PAEC undertakes to ensure provision of adequate financial resources for decommissioning and waste management at important nuclear facilities by creating funds for decommissioning and waste management.
6. Emergency Preparedness
PAEC is committed to taking appropriate steps to ensure that there are on-site and off-site emergency plans for nuclear facilities that are routinely tested and cover the activities to be carried out in the event of an emergency. For new nuclear installations such plans will be prepared and reviewed before shifting nuclear materials to the site. PAEC undertakes to provide information to the public about nuclear and radiological emergencies in a timely, open and transparent manner. PAEC also undertakes to arrange for raising the level of public awareness about the risks implied in appropriate context of the benefits of nuclear technology.
7. Physical Protection
PAEC is committed to taking appropriate measures for ensuring physical protection of nuclear materials and radioactive sources. It is also undertaken that adequate recovery procedures are adopted if control is lost over such materials or sources.
8. Manpower Development
PAEC is committed to ensuring that its nuclear facilities are staffed with adequately qualified personnel at all times. Potential hazards associated with nuclear operations dictate that PAEC personnel possess necessary technical competence, commitment, discipline and high standards of professional and personal excellence. PAEC undertakes to ensure that its training institutes and other establishments have the ability to recruit, train and qualify personnel for specific job positions. PAEC is committed to allocating adequate resources for technical training of its manpower in PAEC’s training institutes and other national and international institutions.
9. Safety Culture
PAEC is committed to establishing and promoting a safety culture at its nuclear facilities, which encourages setting high standards, identifying and resolving problems and openness to questioning and criticism. It undertakes to maintain a blame-free environment for the workers at its nuclear facilities ensuring mutual respect and effective communication with various levels of management for continuous enhancement of safety in all the activities.
|
