International Conference on Research Reactors: Safe Management and Effective Utilization

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS WHEN IMPLEMENTING SECURITY AT RRAFs

18 Nov 2015, 16:50

20m

VIC Board Room A

Oral Presentation Security of Research Reactors Security of Research Reactors

Speaker

Prof. Jose Lolich (Instituto Balseiro)

Description

Concern about malicious acts involving Research Reactors and Associated Facilities (RRAFs) is not new; however, recent world events have demonstrated that an attack on RRAFs must be strongly considered and protected against. Changes in the global threat environment have served as an incentive for RRAF’s organizations to give adequate attention to nuclear security of their facilities. Many RRAF organizations are currently planning or implementing nuclear security measures. In parallel to these efforts, the majority of RRAF organizations continue to implement modification and refurbishment projects as mitigating measures for ageing facilities. In addition, more than 20 Member States are currently implementing (or planning) new RRAF facilities. Most of these Member States are planning their first RRAFs and are in a process to develop the necessary nuclear safety and security infrastructures. Although the activities addressing nuclear safety and nuclear security focus on different protection aspects, they can sometimes overlap each other. Actions that are taken to further one activity can have implications on the other. Recognizing that nuclear safety and nuclear security share the same ultimate goal–to protect individuals, the public, and the environment from harmful effects of radiations–a well-coordinated approach is mutually beneficial, and safety and security measures should be established and implemented in a manner that they do not compromise one another but rather they should mutually enhance. The interface between nuclear safety and nuclear security should be addressed in an integrated manner throughout the RRAF lifetime. This paper provides information for a better understanding that nuclear security management at RRAFs could have an impact on nuclear safety, so that any security action should be fully analysed and its interface with safety understood to mitigate potential negative impacts.