Technical Meeting on the Management of the Interfaces Between Nuclear and Radiation Safety and Nuclear Security

HYBRID EVENT

While recognizing that nuclear safety, radiation safety and nuclear security are the responsibility of the Member States, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is implementing projects and activities to assist the Member States to carry out this responsibility. The storage, handling, processing and transport of nuclear and radioactive materials present specific challenges within the fields of nuclear safety and nuclear security. Incidents during operation or conduct of such facilities and activities incur risks, regardless of whether a radiological release is caused by a natural event, human error, equipment failure or a malicious act.

The areas of nuclear safety and nuclear security are distinct but have a common aim of protecting human life and health and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation. To achieve synergy between these areas, a well-coordinated approach is necessary, and the nuclear safety and nuclear security measures during operation or conduct of such facilities and activities should be planned and implemented in close coordination while conducting the activities and throughout all phases of the facilities’ lifetime. The IAEA Safety Standards Series No. SF-1, Fundamental Safety Principles states that “Safety measures and security measures must be designed and implemented in an integrated manner so that security measures do not compromise safety and safety measures do not compromise security.” The IAEA Nuclear Security Series No. 20, Objective and Essential Elements of a State's Nuclear Security Regime reiterates the same principle and further highlights the need to develop synergy between these two areas.

The IAEA Nuclear Security Series Publication No. 13, Nuclear Security Recommendations on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities (INFCIRC/225/Revision 5) and the IAEA Nuclear Security Series Publication No. 14, Nuclear Security Recommendations on Radioactive Material and Associated Facilities present recommendations related to Nuclear Security. These publications include the recommendations related to the nuclear security interface with safety, that are applicable to facilities and activities. Similarly, the IAEA Safety Standards Series No. SSR-2/1, Safety of Nuclear Power Plants: Design, IAEA Safety Standards Series No. SSR-2/2, Safety of Nuclear Power Plants: Commissioning and Operation, IAEA Safety Standards Series No. SSR-3, Safety of Research Reactors and IAEA Safety Standards Series No. SSR-4, Safety of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Facilities establish requirements on safety and on managing the interfaces between nuclear safety and nuclear security for these facilities.