The purpose of Nuclear Emergency Plans
Emergency plans exist for a number of reasons. The nuclear industry identifies moral, legal and commercial reasons.
(1) Moral The nuclear industry produces a lot of radioactive materials as a by-product of generating electricity from nuclear fission. If handled in an
appropriate manner this is not a problem but if control is lost the radioactive material can damage the environment and, in extreme cases, health.
There is known to be a general dread of both radioactivity and cancer in the public. The former is often disproportionate to the real risks but must be respected. Emergency
plans are one line of defence in the industry's defence in depth policy to protect the public, workforce and environment from harm.
(2) Legal There are a number of regulations that apply to the nuclear industry. These include the Nuclear Industry Act, the Health and Safety at Work Act,
the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations, and the Civil Contingencies Act.
(3) Commercial It is understood that if there were to be an accident in the UK that was not responded to well then it would probably be the end of the UK
civil nuclear programme. A rapid and successful response to a problem can prevent it from spreading and so reduce the damage caused, the number of people affected
and the cost.
The IAEA in publication
GS-R-2 notes the following practical aims for emergency plans:
- To regain control of the situation;
- To prevent or mitigate consequences at the scene;
- To render first aid and to manage the treatment of radiation injuries;
- To prevent, to the extent practicable, the occurrence of stochastic health effects in the population;
- To protect, to the extent practicable, property and the environment;
- To prepare, to the extent practicable, for the resumption of normal social and economic activity;
The nuclear industry in the UK often summarises these as Protect the Public, Protect our People, Protect our Place and Protect our Plant. With signs
giving varients of these 4Ps visible in many of the emergency control centres across the country.
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