Optimization of public and occupational radiation protection at nuclear power plants. A review of occupational dose assessment considerations in current probabilistic risk assessments and cost-benefit analyses. Vol. 1

This report reviews current value-impact analysis and probabilistic risk assessment methods and discusses the manner and degree to which these methods consider occupational radiation exposure that may form a variety of in-plant activities, including: (1) normal operation and maintenance, (2) repair, (3) retrofit, (4) minor incidents and cleanup, (5) major accidents, and (6) decommissioning. Value-impact analysis methods which include occupational exposure as an element of the value-impact equation have been developed, however, no standard approach to such analysis has been adopted. Comparison of the results of value-impact analyses must, therefore, be done with caution because different value-laden assumptions made by the analyst can have strong effects on the outcome. Such assumptions include the monetary equivalent of a person-rem, and the relative value of occupational and public exposure. Probabilistic methods have been used in value-impact evaluations to quantify incremental or averted occupational exposure from reactor accidents, however, occupational exposure has not been addressed in probabilistic risk assessments (PRAs) of nuclear power plants. Consideration of occupational exposure in a PRA would greatly increase the complexity of the plant model and the benefits from such an analysis are uncertain. In lieu of expanding the scope of PRAs to address occupational risk, the separate, limited-scope probabilistic evaluations developed for value-impact analysis should provide a more practical analytical capability to support the evaluation and optimization of occupational and public radiation exposure