Framework for the development of guidelines for nuclear power plant decommissioning workers based on risk information

Highlights: • Risk assessment on a nuclear power plant decommissioning worker. • Sensitivity analysis of exposure dose for decommissioning workers. • Guideline for the workers to improve radiation safety based on risk information. In nuclear power plant decommissioning, it is essential to reduce radioactive waste while, in the reducing process, radiation exposure for the decommissioning workers is inevitable. Therefore, a guideline development framework for decommissioning workers based on radiation safety is suggested in this study. In a previous study, a risk assessment for the decommissioning worker was conducted. Based on the risk assessment methodology, the framework is developed. First, all factors that affect the radiation safety of the decommissioning workers are analyzed. Moreover, the factors are classified to each level, distinguished by controllable conditions and radiation safety influence. Factors in certain levels are analyzed through sensitivity study, and guidelines from significant factors are obtained. In addition, by dividing the workers' exposure into inevitable and additional, limitations for each exposure are suggested. Consequently, the practical instructions for the workers are conducted. Therefore, the guidelines suggested in the framework are intuitive and quantitative to apply in decommissioning. This study improves the radiation safety of workers in nuclear power plants.