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1. ANTICIPATING
Fourmainprinciples underpin theprotectionof the general
public against BNI risks:
•
risk reduction at source, wherein the licenseemust take
all steps to reduce the risks to a level that is as low as
reasonably achievable inacceptable economic conditions;
•
the emergency and contingency plans, designed to
prevent and mitigate the consequences of an accident;
•
controlling urban development around BNIs;
•
informing the general public.
1.1 Looking ahead and planning
1.1.1 Emergency and contingency plans
concerning BNIs
The emergency plans relative to accidents occurring in a
BNI define themeasures necessary toprotect sitepersonnel,
the general public and the environment, and to control
the accident.
The On-site Emergency Plan (PUI), prepared by
the licensee, is designed to restore the plant to a
safe condition and mitigate the consequences of an
accident. It defines the organisational actions and
the resources to be implemented on the site. It also
comprises arrangements for informing the public
authorities rapidly. Pursuant to Decree 2007-1557 of
2nd November 2007, the PUI is one of the items to
be included in the file sent by the licensee to ASN
prior to commissioning of its facility. The licensee’s
obligations in terms of preparedness and management
of emergency situations are determined by the Order
of 7th February 2012 setting the general rules for BNIs
(Title VII). These obligations will be clarified by an
ASN resolution currently under preparation.
The Off-site Emergency Plan (PPI) is established by
the Prefect of the
département
concerned pursuant to
Decree 2005-1158 of 13th September 2005,
“to protect the
populations, property and the environment, and to cope with
the specific risks associated with the existence of structures
and facilities whose perimeter is localized and fixed. The
PPI implements the orientations of civil protection policy
in terms of mobilisation of resources, information, alert,
N
uclear activities
sare carriedoutwith the two-fold aimof preventing accidents
andmitigating any consequences should they occur. Despite all the precautions
taken, anaccident cannever be completely ruledout and thenecessaryprovisions
for dealing with and managing a radiological emergency situation must be
planned for, tested and regularly revised.
Radiological emergency situations, arising from an incident or accident, which risk leading
to an emission of radioactive substances or to a level of radioactivity, liable to affect public
health, include:
•
emergency situations arising in a Basic Nuclear Installation (BNI);
•
accidents involving Radioactive Substances Transports (RMT);
•
emergency situations occurring in the field of small-scale nuclear activities.
Emergency situations affecting nuclear activities can also comprise non-radiological risks,
such as fire, explosion or the release of toxic substances.
These emergency situations are covered by specificmaterial and organisational arrangements,
which include the emergency plans and involve both the licensee and or the party responsible
for the activity and the public authorities.
The Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) is involved in managing these situations, with regard to
questions concerning the regulation of nuclear safety and radiation protection and, backed
by the expertise of its technical support organisation, the Institute for Radiation Protection
and Nuclear Safety (IRSN), it has the following four key duties:
•
to ensure and verify the soundness of the steps taken by the licensee;
•
to advise the Government and its local representatives;
•
to contribute to the circulation of information;
•
to act as competent authority within the framework of the international conventions.
In 2005, ASN also set up a Steering Committee to prepare for management of the post-
accident Phase (Codirpa) following on from the management of a radiological emergency.
The doctrine concerning the emergency phase exit, transition and long-term periods, was
published in November 2012.
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CHAPTER 05:
RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY AND POST-ACCIDENT SITUATIONS
ASN report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2015