Year
2010
Abstract
Regulations only have a beneficial impact on safety when they are fully and properly implemented at the operating level. During recent years, there have been increasing signs of improved consistency in interpretation of the requirements. However, a single interpretation has the potential to remove any flexibility and can be viewed by some as tightening the requirements and by others as relaxing the requirements. The paper analyses this phenomenon, using emergency response requirements as a case study. The IAEA Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material require National/International Organisations to develop emergency response capability. IAEA Safety Guide TS-G-1.2, “Planning and preparing for emergency response to transport accidents involving radioactive materials” provides guidance on emergency planning and preparedness for dealing effectively with transport accidents involving radioactive material. Implementation of this requirement varies, where emergency response systems in some countries are state managed, and others require consignors to develop their own systems. Differing views of just what is required may lead to varying capabilities and efficiencies amongst the national crisis management organisations. It also has a direct and potentially costly impact on organisations consigning radioactive material. It is important that industry shares its knowledge, and collaborates in the development of consolidated positions. The World Nuclear Transport Institute (WNTI) formed an industry working group to share experiences amongst its members on transport emergency response preparedness. Over the last two years, the working group has prepared questionnaires and held workshops in France, UK & Russia. This paper gives an insight into how the regulations can be implemented very differently and whether this level of flexibility may help or hinder the global efficiency of crisis management organisations. In particular, it addresses the consequences for the transport operational stakeholders, with respect to emergency preparedness. Finally, it summarises the lessons learned so far from the WNTI Emergency Response Industry Working Group; discussing emergency incident communication processes and tools to encourage best practice.