Belarusian nuclear power plant's safety evaluation seen as part of multistep oversight system

MINSK, 24 October (BelTA) – The evaluation of safety of the Belarusian nuclear power plant by experts is part of the efforts to establish a multistep oversight system, BelTA learned from Oleg Lyubochko, Director of the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Center.

The Nuclear and Radiation Safety Center has been established in line with the president's decree in order to organize scientific and technical support for operations in the area of promotion of nuclear and radiation safety. The center has been designated to be the main organizer and performer of expert evaluation of safety parameters in the field of use of nuclear energy and sources of ionizing radiation.

Oleg Lyubochko said: “This decision allows reducing the time needed for safety evaluation by experts. Respectively it can save quite a lot of government money. By entrusting the center with this function, we also improve quality, justification, and authenticity of safety evaluation by all the subjects belonging to the scientific and technical support system. You have to understand that safety evaluation does not cast doubts on the competence of the nuclear power plant management. It is only part of the efforts to establish a multistep oversight system with a view to minimizing and ultimately ruling out all kinds of technical errors.”

On 24 October the Emergencies Ministry granted the license for commercial operation of the second unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant. The Emergencies Ministry made sure that the limits and conditions of safe operation specified by the nuclear power plant design are confirmed and well-warranted while decisions incorporated into operational documents and accident prevention documents meet safety requirements. The power-generating unit and its safeguards perform their functions.

The readiness of all the safety systems as well as the buildings where they are housed was inspected. Including recordkeeping and control of nuclear materials, radioactive waste, and sources of ionizing radiation. All the measures were taken to ensure the physical protection of the nuclear power plant.

Apart from that, knowledge of executive personnel and operational personnel was evaluated and personal permits to perform operations were issued. Safety requirements represent an overriding priority. And the enterprise management system takes it into account. Accident prevention exercises have been held. All the necessary management and internal control bodies have been created and operate. The ability of the nuclear power plant to interact with state administration bodies and organizations across the republic as well as with the relevant organizations of the Russian Federation was also checked.