Features and abilities of a trustworthy regulator

A nuclear regulator should aim to become the trustee of the public taking care for all its concerns about nuclear safety and radiation protection. Some rules are given; use every opportunity to state that the persons of your organisation are highly motivated for safety and protection but they are not perfect; explain, as often as you can, that your surveillance and inspection programme cannot cover 100% of the areas to be covered; repeat that uncertainties are an inherent part of scientific knowledge and that incidents and accidents cannot be totally avoided. This discourse will keep the expectations of the public at a reasonable level and when the crisis comes, the credibility loss will be manageable. (N.C.)