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Safe operation of nuclear power plants
Journalof NuclearEnergy.Vol. 24,p. 226. PerpamonPress1970.printedIn NorthernIreland
BOOK REVIEWS
Safe Operation of Nuclear Power Plants: Code of Practice sponsored by I.A.E.A. and W.H.O., and
Technical Appendices. I.A.E.A. Safety Series No. 31, I.A.E.A. Vienna 1969,121~~. $4.00, HMSO E1.13.4. THE FIRST part of the book is a 12 page code of practice prepared by panels of experts in 1966-67. In 1968 the I.A.E.A. approved the Code and recommended Member States to take it into account in formulating national regulations. The Code is brief, and deals with general principles of responsibility; in particular it requires that a Government shall ensure that operational safety is subject to surveillance by a regulatory body independent of the operating organization. Details of ways in which the general principles can be applied are illustrated in five technical appendices which give examples based on current practice. For example, the contents of safety reports are illustrated by detailed reference to the reports for Douglas Point, Hunterston B, and Haddam Neck. Apart from the obvious value of the book in encouraging some necessary parity of organization between different countries it is also a useful training manual for teaching some aspects of managing nuclear plant. B. M.
WHEATLEY
Planning for the Handling of Radiation Accidents: A Manual published on behalf of I.L.0, F.A.0
W.H.0 & I.A.E.A. HMSO El .5.0.
1.A.E.A Safety Series No. 32, 1.A.E.A Vienna 1969, 91pp. $3.00,
THIS manual is designed to give practical guidance in making plans to minimize human risks and material damage consequent to radiation accidents. The emphasis is on land-based plant and transport systems, but some attention is paid to sea-borne plant and to air and sea transport. The Brst 32 pages describe the way in which responsibilities can be allocated and give the essential components of plans required by public authorities and the operating authorities. In giving guidance on action levels the principles on which suitable levels can be determined are set out with commendable clarity, although of course no numerical values are quoted since they would not be equally appropriate in all circumstances. The last 36 pages of the manual consist of summaries of specimen plans for nuclear research establishments, power reactors and processing plants, together with brief descriptions of the national emergency plans for France, Japan, U.K. and U.S.A. The book will be useful as a reference for reassuring the public on the high degree of responsibility shown by governments and industry, but its main value will probably be in passing on experience and so helping to maintain high standards of preparedness in countries now planning nuclear installations. B. M. WHEATLEY
226
BOOK REVIEWS
Safe Operation of Nuclear Power Plants: Code of Practice sponsored by I.A.E.A. and W.H.O., and
Technical Appendices. I.A.E.A. Safety Series No. 31, I.A.E.A. Vienna 1969,121~~. $4.00, HMSO E1.13.4. THE FIRST part of the book is a 12 page code of practice prepared by panels of experts in 1966-67. In 1968 the I.A.E.A. approved the Code and recommended Member States to take it into account in formulating national regulations. The Code is brief, and deals with general principles of responsibility; in particular it requires that a Government shall ensure that operational safety is subject to surveillance by a regulatory body independent of the operating organization. Details of ways in which the general principles can be applied are illustrated in five technical appendices which give examples based on current practice. For example, the contents of safety reports are illustrated by detailed reference to the reports for Douglas Point, Hunterston B, and Haddam Neck. Apart from the obvious value of the book in encouraging some necessary parity of organization between different countries it is also a useful training manual for teaching some aspects of managing nuclear plant. B. M.
WHEATLEY
Planning for the Handling of Radiation Accidents: A Manual published on behalf of I.L.0, F.A.0
W.H.0 & I.A.E.A. HMSO El .5.0.
1.A.E.A Safety Series No. 32, 1.A.E.A Vienna 1969, 91pp. $3.00,
THIS manual is designed to give practical guidance in making plans to minimize human risks and material damage consequent to radiation accidents. The emphasis is on land-based plant and transport systems, but some attention is paid to sea-borne plant and to air and sea transport. The Brst 32 pages describe the way in which responsibilities can be allocated and give the essential components of plans required by public authorities and the operating authorities. In giving guidance on action levels the principles on which suitable levels can be determined are set out with commendable clarity, although of course no numerical values are quoted since they would not be equally appropriate in all circumstances. The last 36 pages of the manual consist of summaries of specimen plans for nuclear research establishments, power reactors and processing plants, together with brief descriptions of the national emergency plans for France, Japan, U.K. and U.S.A. The book will be useful as a reference for reassuring the public on the high degree of responsibility shown by governments and industry, but its main value will probably be in passing on experience and so helping to maintain high standards of preparedness in countries now planning nuclear installations. B. M. WHEATLEY
226