9 June 2000
The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) said nuclear safety in Australia would be enhanced through the formal introduction of an international rating system for nuclear incidents.
Representatives from the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are in Australia this week to issue instructions on the International Nuclear Event Scale (INES).
Head of ARPANSA's Regulatory Branch, Mr Don Macnab, said INES was similar to the Richter scale used to inform the community about the severity of earthquakes.
"INES is now being used by operators of nuclear installations and regulatory organisations in more than sixty countries, coordinated by IAEA," Mr Macnab said.
"Fortunately, Australia has an excellent record for safely managing nuclear activities and those involving radiation and radioactive materials, but we are constantly looking for ways to enhance safety.
"Through using the scale, the significance of any events involving nuclear or radiation safety, here or overseas, could be communicated to the community both quickly and consistently.
"So everyone, from the organisation involved, to safety authorities, emergency services, the media and the public, can have a common understanding of the safety significance of an event.
"Under INES, the Chernobyl accident was rated 7, the highest level, while last year's accident in Japan was level 4.
"The system has been used informally in Australia, where in recent times our most significant event have been rated level 2, when there was no threat to the community.
"The scale can cover nuclear power plants, research reactors, transport of radioactive materials and radiation activities.
"INES will be used alongside the procedures that are in place for the technical analysis and reporting of events involving nuclear or radiological safety, which ARPANSA will continue to enforce," Mr Macnab said.
He said this week's visit from the IAEA was the final step before the scale was formally adopted in Australia.
"Where it is to be introduced, the IAEA is particular about ensuring that relevant people have a good understanding of INES," Mr Macnab said.
"It's representatives are here this week to instruct not only nuclear professionals, but also people from other government agencies and media, who would play a part in communicating nuclear events.
"This should reassure the community that ARPANSA is committed to a high level of nuclear safety in Australia," Mr Macnab said.
ENDS