12 Oct (NucNet): The Nuclear Research Group (NRG) of the Netherlands has promoted and developed a strong safety culture based on a mature management system at its high flux research reactor (HFR) in Petten, concluded experts of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Integrated Nuclear Safety Assessment of Research Reactors (INSARR) mission yesterday.
NRG pays “strict attention” to safety procedures in waste management, radiation protection of workers, effective emergency plans as well as training staff in various areas to maintain the reactor to the highest standards, the experts found.
The HFR is one of the main radioisotope production facilities in the world, supplying about 70% of the medical isotopes in Europe, and contributes to about 30% of world production, the IAEA said.
“By requesting INSARR missions, the Netherlands has made a strong commitment to nuclear safety and to its continuous improvement,” said Greg Rzentkowski, IAEA director of nuclear installation safety.
The expert team, made up of IAEA nuclear safety experts and international experts in the field of research reactor safety, conducted a comprehensive assessment of the safety procedures and regulations at the HFR from 4 to 11 October 2016.
The team also noted a high level of the implementation of the recommendations of the previous IAEA INSARR mission conducted in 2011, which included follow-up actions to the relevant lessons learned from the March 2011 Fukushima-Daiichi accident.
