[en] By considering the examples of the 1957 Windscale fire, the Three Mile Island incident, and the Chernobyl accident, the author explores the causes of and reasons for accidents in nuclear power generation. While the nuclear industry has a favourable record compared to other forms of energy generation, human error seems to emerge as the potentially most hazardous parameter. While training of operators must be rigorous to ensure the safe operation of nuclear plants, the design of these facilities should led to safe shut-down when danger does occur, for example, using coolants which do not boil away. (UK)