Nuclear Safety Review for the Year 2004

In the nuclear area, challenges continue to emerge from the globalization of issues related to safety, technology, business, information, communication and security. Scientific advances and operational experience in nuclear, radiation, waste and transport technology are providing new opportunities to continuously improve safety and security by utilizing synergies between safety and security. The prime responsibility for nuclear, radiation, waste and transport safety rests with users and national governments. The Agency continues to support a Global Nuclear Safety Regime based on strong national safety infrastructures and widespread subscription to international legal instruments to maintain high levels of safety worldwide. Central to the Agency's role are the establishment of international safety standards and the provision for applying these standards, as well as the promotion of sharing information through managing the knowledge base. Nuclear power plant operational safety performance remains high throughout the world. Challenges facing the nuclear power industry include avoiding complacency, maintaining the necessary infrastructure, nuclear power plant ageing and long-term operation, as well as new reactor designs and construction. The research reactor community has a long history of safe operation. However nearly two-thirds of the world's operating research reactors are now over 30 years old and face safety and security challenges. In 2004, the Board of Governors approved the Code of Conduct on the Safety of Research Reactors to help address these challenges. In 2004, there was international consensus on radionuclide activity concentrations in materials below which regulatory controls need not apply. Key occupational radiation protection performance indicators continued to improve in 2004. Challenges include new medical practices where workers can receive high exposures, industrial radiography and worker exposure to naturally occurring radioactive material. New medical techniques using radiation continue to pose patient safety challenges. By the end of 2004, 69 countries had made a political commitment to work towards following the guidance contained in the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources. International initiatives by the Agency and others are also strengthening the control over radioactive sources, and in 2004 guidance was developed regarding the import and export of radioactive sources. The safety record for the transport of radioactive material continues to be excellent. Even with this record, there are continual challenges to limit the volume of radioactive material transport activities. The lessons from these challenges are being identified, analysed and shared so that the transport of radioactive material essential for medical and industrial applications will continue. A number of countries continue to develop geological disposal facilities for spent fuel and high level radioactive waste and many countries operate near surface disposal facilities for low and intermediate level radioactive waste. With the delays in the development of permanent disposal facilities, increasing attention is being given to the safety of storage facilities. The lack of appropriate funding mechanisms for nuclear installation decommissioning remains a concern. Although most countries operating nuclear installations have adequate emergency preparedness and response systems in place, others - particularly those without nuclear installations - still lack a basic level of radiological emergency preparedness.