Risk-Informed Approach for the Regulation of Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities

2010 ◽  
Vol 132 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yukihiro Iguchi ◽  
Masami Kato
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
High Activity ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Spent Fuel ◽  
Nuclear Facilities ◽  
Uranium Enrichment ◽  
Periodic Safety ◽  
Distribution Of Resources ◽  
Safety Enhancement ◽  
Reprocessing Plant

During decommissioning of nuclear facilities, it is generally thought that the risk is relatively low after high activity inventory such as the spent fuel is removed. However, dismantlement works may be carried out with nonmultiple barriers with a nonregular process depending mainly on human activities. Moreover, fire or gas incidents caused by conventional industry methods may lead to accidents with radioactivity release. This means more attention is necessary for safer dismantlement, especially for nuclear reactors with high activity. Therefore, utilization of risk information based on risk assessment of the decommissioning was proposed. A method of risk assessment for decommissioning was developed and applied for the dismantlement of typical reactor facilities and nuclear fuel facilities (a uranium enrichment plant and a reprocessing plant). The results show that the consequences of such troubles are low but their occurrences are still not negligible. This fact is supported by past trouble cases. Taking into account the risk assessment results, a methodology to secure the safety of decommissioning was proposed. It consists of four steps, i.e., (1) risk-informed approach, (2) graded approach, (3) phased approach, and (4) layered approach and the results can be reflected to the management and regulation. The regulation means, for example, the review of decommissioning plan or the operational safety program, the periodic safety inspections and usual monitoring. The methodology can evaluate the risk level of decommissioning more objectively and enable reasonable regulation based on the risk level. This leads to the appropriate distribution of resources for safety enhancement.

Risk-Informed Approach for the Regulation of Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yukihiro Iguchi ◽  
Masami Kato
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
High Activity ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Spent Fuel ◽  
Nuclear Facilities ◽  
Uranium Enrichment ◽  
Periodic Safety ◽  
Distribution Of Resources ◽  
Safety Enhancement ◽  
Reprocessing Plant

During decommissioning of nuclear facilities, it is generally thought that the risk is relatively low after high activity inventory such as the spent fuel is removed. However, dismantlement works may be carried out with non-multiple barriers with a non-regular process depending mainly on human activities. Moreover, fire or gas incidents caused by conventional industry methods may lead to accidents with radioactivity release. This means more attention is necessary for safer dismantlement especially for nuclear reactors with high activity. Therefore, utilization of risk information based on risk assessment of the decommissioning was proposed. A method of risk assessment for decommissioning was developed and applied for the dismantlement of typical reactor facilities and nuclear fuel facilities (a uranium enrichment plant and a reprocessing plant). The results show that the consequences of such troubles are low, but their occurrences are still not negligible. This fact is supported by past trouble cases. Taking into account of the risk assessment results, a methodology to secure the safety of decommissioning was proposed. It consists of four steps i.e. 1) risk-informed approach, 2) graded approach, 3) phased approach and 4) layered approach and the results can be reflected to the management and regulation. The regulation means are for example, review of the decommissioning plan or the fitness-for-safety, the periodic safety inspections and usual monitoring. The methodology can evaluate the risk level of decommissioning more objectively and enable reasonable regulation based on the risk level. This leads to the appropriate distribution of resources with safety enhancement.

scholarly journals MELCOR Demonstration Analysis of Accident Scenarios at a Spent Nuclear Reprocessing Plant

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth C. Wagner ◽  
David L. Y. Louie
Keyword(s):  
Source Term ◽  
Model Development ◽  
Source Terms ◽  
Spent Fuel ◽  
Nuclear Facilities ◽  
Demonstration Analysis ◽  
Nuclear Reprocessing ◽  
Probabilistic Risk Assessments ◽  
Accident Scenarios ◽  
Reprocessing Plant

Abstract The work presented in this paper applies the MELCOR code developed at Sandia National Laboratories to evaluate the source terms from potential accidents in non-reactor nuclear facilities. The present approach provides an integrated source term approach that would be well-suited for uncertainty analysis and probabilistic risk assessments. MELCOR is used to predict the thermal-hydraulic conditions during fires or explosions that includes a release of radionuclides. The radionuclides are tracked throughout the facility from the initiating event to predict the time-dependent source term to the environment for subsequent dose or consequence evaluations. In this paper, we discuss the MELCOR input model development and the evaluation of the potential source terms from the dominated fire and explosion scenarios for a spent fuel nuclear reprocessing plant.

Methods of risk assessment in forecasting the consequences of accidents at pipeline transport facilities

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 663-673
Author(s):  
Vladislav N. Slepnev ◽  
◽  
Alexander F. Maksimenko ◽  
Elena V. Glebova ◽  
Alla Т. Volokhina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Assessment Procedure ◽  
Expert Evaluation ◽  
Main Pipeline ◽  
Pipeline Transport ◽  
Forecasting Accuracy ◽  
Distribution Of Resources ◽  
Expert Evaluation Method

The choice of risk assessment procedure is one of the essential stages of efficient structuring of processes on prevention, localization and elimination of the consequences of accidents at main pipeline transport facilities. The authors analyzed themed publications and regulatory documents, governing procedures of risk assessment and forecasting of the consequences of possible accidents, and defined main problems in this area. Procedure for the risk assessment of accidents at main pipeline facilities was developed, the basis of which is the expert evaluation method. The procedure includes the determination of the main criteria for the assessment the probability of accident initiation and development and the evaluation of the severity of its consequences, an expert evaluation of criteria significance, their classification, and creation of a rating for hazardous pipeline sections. The application of the procedure application allows to specify the list of facilities that require high priority forecasting of accidents consequences, thus to optimize the distribution of resources and the overall increase of efficiency in planning while defining forces and special technical devices, necessary for containment and rectification of emergencies. Expert evaluation method application allows considering the specifics of certain enterprises, their technical and technological peculiarities, thereby increasing forecasting accuracy.

The prospects of occupational risk management during reforms of regulatory legislation basis

2019 ◽  
pp. 39-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vadim B. Alekseev ◽  
Nina V. Zaitseva ◽  
Pavel Z. Shur
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Risk Management ◽  
Social Insurance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Occupational Risk ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Federal Law ◽  
Work Safety ◽  
Risk Levels ◽  
Legal Principles

Despite wide legislation basis of regulating relations in work safety and workers’ health, one third of workplaces demonstrate exceeded allowable normal levels of workers’ exposure to occupational hazards and present occupational risk for health disorders.In accordance to national legislation acts, evaluation should cover factors of occupational environment and working process, and occupational risk is understood in context of mandatory social insurance. This approach has been formed due to mostly compensatory trend in legal principles of work safety in Russia by now. Implementation of new preventive concept of work safety, based on idea of risk management for workers, necessitates development of legal acts that regulate requirements to evaluation of occupational risk and its reports with consideration of changes in Federal Law on 30 March 1999 №52 FZ “On sanitary epidemiologic well-being of population”.Those acts can include Sanitary Rules and Regulations “Evaluation of occupational risk for workers’ health”, that will contain main principles of risk assessment, requirements to risk assessment, including its characteristics which can serve as a basis of categorizing the risk levels with acceptability.To standardize requirements for informing a worker on the occupational risk, the expediency is specification of sanitary rules “Notifying a worker on occupational risk”. These rules should contain requirements: to a source of data on occupational risk level at workplace, to informational content and to ways of notifying the worker. Specification and implementation of the stated documents enable to fulfil legal requirements completely on work safety — that will provide preservation and increase of efficiency in using work resources.

scholarly journals Biological risk assessment: A challenge for occupational health and safety practitioners during the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Pandemic

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Carlos Carvalhais ◽  
Micaela Querido ◽  
Cristiana C. Pereira ◽  
Joana Santos
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Biological Risk ◽  
Occupational Risks ◽  
Qualitative Risk Assessment ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Medium Risk

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 global pandemic brought several challenges to occupational safety and health practice. One of these is the need to (re)assess the occupational risks, particularly, biological risks. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this work is to promote guidance to occupational safety and health practitioners when conducting a biological risk assessment in this context. METHODS: The main steps of the biological risk assessment are explained with some inputs regarding the novelty posed by SARS-CoV-2 and an example of a qualitative risk assessment method is presented. Also, its application to two different activities was exemplified. RESULTS: In both cases, the assessment considered that vulnerable workers were working from home or in medical leave. The results showed low or medium risk level for the assessed tasks. For medium risk level, additional controls are advised, such maintain social distancing, sanitize instruments/equipment before use, use proper and well-maintained PPE (when applicable), and promote awareness sessions to spread good practices at work. Employers must be aware of their obligations regarding biological risk assessment and OSH practitioners must be prepared to screen and link the abundance of scientific evidence generated following the outbreak, with the technical practice. CONCLUSIONS: This paper could be an important contribution to OSH practice since it highlights the need to (re)assess occupational risks, especially biological risk, to ensure a safe return to work, providing technical guidance.

Applying the risk principle to optimize accuracy and equity in correctional risk assessment: Results From a Simulation

2021 ◽  
pp. 0306624X2098652
Author(s):  
Grant Duwe
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Predictive Accuracy ◽  
Ethnic Disparities ◽  
Simulated Data ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Risk Levels ◽  
Risk Principle ◽  
Changes In Risk ◽  
The Impact

As the use of risk assessments for correctional populations has grown, so has concern that these instruments exacerbate existing racial and ethnic disparities. While much of the attention arising from this concern has focused on how algorithms are designed, relatively little consideration has been given to how risk assessments are used. To this end, the present study tests whether application of the risk principle would help preserve predictive accuracy while, at the same time, mitigate disparities. Using a sample of 9,529 inmates released from Minnesota prisons who had been assessed multiple times during their confinement on a fully-automated risk assessment, this study relies on both actual and simulated data to examine the impact of program assignment decisions on changes in risk level from intake to release. The findings showed that while the risk principle was used in practice to some extent, the simulated results showed that greater adherence to the risk principle would increase reductions in risk levels and minimize the disparities observed at intake. The simulated data further revealed the most favorable outcomes would be achieved by not only applying the risk principle, but also by expanding program capacity for the higher-risk inmates in order to adequately reduce their risk.

scholarly journals Pb Content, Risk Level and Primary-Source Apportionment in Wheat and Rice Grains in the Lihe River Watershed, Taihu Region, Eastern China

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6256
Author(s):  
Lian Chen ◽  
Shenglu Zhou ◽  
Qiong Yang ◽  
Qingrong Li ◽  
Dongxu Xing ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Source Apportionment ◽  
Health Risk Assessment ◽  
Eastern China ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Primary Sources ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
River Watershed ◽  
Rice Grains

This study detailed a complete research from Lead (Pb) content level to ecological and health risk to direct- and primary-sources apportionment arising from wheat and rice grains, in the Lihe River Watershed of the Taihu region, East China. Ecological and health risk assessment were based on the pollution index and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) health risk assessment model. A three-stage quantitative analysis program based on Pb isotope analysis to determine the relative contributions of primary sources involving (1) direct-source apportionment in grains with a two-end-member model, (2) apportionment of soil and dustfall sources using the IsoSource model, and (3) the integration of results of (1) and (2) was notedly first proposed. The results indicated that mean contents of Pb in wheat and rice grains were 0.54 and 0.45 mg/kg and both the bio-concentration factors (BCF) were <<1; the ecological risk pollution indices were 1.35 for wheat grains and 1.11 for rice grains; hazard quotient (HQ) values for adult and child indicating health risks through ingestion of grains were all <1; Coal-fired industrial sources account for up to 60% of Pb in the grains. This study provides insights into the management of grain Pb pollution and a new method for its source apportionment.

Disaster Risk Assessment Among Iranian Exceptional Schools

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Seyedeh Samaneh Miresmaeeli ◽  
Nafiseh Esmaeili ◽  
Sepideh Sadeghi Ashlaghi ◽  
Zahra Abbasi Dolatabadi
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Disaster Mitigation ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Fire Extinguishing ◽  
Disaster Risk Assessment ◽  
The Right

Abstract Background: Exceptional children, like other children, have the right to be educated in a safe environment. Disasters are considered as serious issues regarding safety and security of educational environments. Following disasters, vulnerable groups, especially children with handicaps and disabilities are more likely to be seriously injured. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the safety and disaster risk assessment of exceptional schools in Tehran, Iran. Method: The cross-sectional study was conducted in exceptional schools in Tehran, 2018. First, 55 exceptional schools in all grades were selected based on census sampling method and evaluated by using a checklist designed by Tehran Disaster Mitigation and Management Organization (TDMMO) and Ministry of Education in 2015. The data were analyzed using Excel software and statistical descriptive tests. Result: Based on the results, school facilities are worn and have unsafe elevators (least safety: 7.69%), yards (least safety: 9.52%), laboratories (least safety: 16.67%), libraries (least safety: 24.24%), fire extinguishing systems (least safety: 28.99%), and storage rooms and kitchens (least safety: 33.33%) which require immediate considerations. In total, the safety of exceptional schools in this study was 70.13%, which suggests medium-risk level. Conclusion: The educational settings must be reconsidered, along with identifying the risk and safety at school. In addition, a standard should be established for evaluating safety, especially in exceptional schools.

Bereavement risk assessment of family caregivers of patients with cancer: Japanese version of the Bereavement Risk Assessment Tool

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (04) ◽  
pp. 448-452
Author(s):  
Tomohiro Uchida ◽  
Noriaki Satake ◽  
Toshimichi Nakaho ◽  
Akira Inoue ◽  
Hidemitsu Saito
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Japanese Version ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Risk Assessment Tool ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Distress Scale

AbstractObjectivesThe Bereavement Risk Assessment Tool (BRAT) seems to be useful in identifying those who are likely to suffer from the more severe consequences of bereavement. To date, however, only a few studies have examined bereavement risk using the BRAT. This study investigated bereavement risk in family caregivers of patients with cancer using the Japanese version of the Bereavement Risk Assessment Tool (BRAT-J). We also investigated the relationship of bereavement risk with psychological distress and resilience among caregivers to determine the validity of the BRAT-J.MethodsWe conducted family psychoeducation in the palliative care unit of Tohoku University Hospital with participants who were recruited in this study. Among the participants, 50 family caregivers provided their written informed consent and were included in this study. Participants were assessed using the BRAT-J and completed the Japanese version of the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) and the Tachikawa Resilience Scale (TRS).ResultsAccording to the BRAT-J, five individuals (10%) were in the high category of bereavement risk (level 4 or 5). We also found that family caregivers of patients experienced many different pressures, such as facing the unknown; their own work; and insufficient financial, practical, or physical resources. These issues are associated with various mental problems. Additionally, the level of bereavement risk was significantly correlated with K6 scores (ρ = 0.30, p = 0.032), and the TRS score (ρ = –0.44, p = 0.001). These correlations confirmed previous findings and that the BRAT-J can be an efficient screening tool for the bereavement risk of family caregivers of patients with cancer.Significance of resultsIt appears that the BRAT-J is useful in predicting the likelihood of difficulties or complications in bereavement for family caregivers and could help to provide support with these issues when needed.

scholarly journals Application of microbial risk assessment on a residentially-operated Bio-toilet

2006 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 479-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoko Nakagawa ◽  
Hana Oe ◽  
Masahiro Otaki ◽  
Katsuyoshi Ishizaki
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Microbial Risk Assessment ◽  
Microbial Risk ◽  
Infectious Risk ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Pathogenic Viruses ◽  
Scale Experiment ◽  
Time Required

The Sustainable Sanitation System is a new wastewater treatment system that incorporates a non-flushing toilet (Bio-toilet) that converts excreta into a reusable resource (as fertilizer or humus for organic agriculture) and reduces the pollution load to environments of the rivers, the lakes, and the sea. However, the risk of exposure to pathogens should be considered, because excrement is stored in the Bio-toilet. The aim of the present work is to analyze the health risk of dealing with the matrix (excreta and urine mixed with sawdust) of the Bio-toilet. Therefore, the fate of pathogenic viruses was investigated using coliphages as a virus index, and the modeling of the die-off rate in matrix was introduced. Then the microbial risk assessment was applied to a Bio-toilet that was actually used in a residential house; the infection risks of rotavirus and enterovirus as reference pathogens were calculated. According to the lab-scale experiment using coliphages for investing the die-off rate of viruses in the Bio-toilet, Qβ had a higher die-off, which was greatly influenced by the water content and temperature. On the other hand, T4 showed a lower rate and was independent of water content. Therefore, these two phages' data were used as critical examples, such as viruses having high or low possibilities of remaining in the Bio-toilet during the risk assessment analysis. As the result of the risk assessment, the storage time required for an acceptable infectious risk level has wide variations in both rotavirus and enterovirus cases depending on the phage that was used. These were 0–260 days' and 0–160 days' difference, respectively.

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