Infrastructure and regulatory control for radiation protection in the nuclear industry in India

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), constituted in November 1983 by the Government of India, carries out certain safety and regulatory functions envisaged under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962. The paper describes the legal provisions, responsibilities, structure and organization of AERB, with special emphasis on radiation protection. The responsibilities of the Board cover nuclear, radiological and industrial safety within the installations of the Department of Atomic Energy and radiological safety in the manifold applications of radioisotopes and radiation sources within the country. An adequate and competent infrastructure has been built to cater to the diverse radiation protection requirements of all nuclear installations in India, arising at different stages from site selection to day-to-day operation. The paper describes the multilevel review which is carried out by the Board prior to issue of authorization for nuclear installations. A number of safety codes, guides and manuals have been prepared to provide specific guidance to design, construction and operating organizations of nuclear power plants. The Regulatory Board receives considerable support from the Health and Safety Group of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in discharging its responsibility with regard to radiation protection surveillance. The Safety Review Committee of AERB monitors the safety status of all nuclear fuel cycle facilities in operation. In addition, periodic inspections of the installations are carried out. AERB has conducted an in-depth study of specific areas of operational safety of nuclear power plants. AERB ensures that the radiation exposures of workers and radioactive releases to the environment are kept as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) and that the installations maintain at all times a capability to handle local, site and off-site emergencies. (author). 3 figs