Safety values, norms and attitudes

The licensing process for ITER as a nuclear installation is making good progress. Work continues on updating the preliminary safety report (RPrS) and other licensing files in response to requests from the nuclear safety authorities. In January 2008 we delivered the documents to the French nuclear regulatory authority. In response, they requested a list of requirements giving more technical details, and a list of all pressurised equipments.

Our department is currently working its way down this list and toward other requirements, knowing that we have to deliver the answer by September. That gives us only limited time and thus all ITER Responsible Officers are deeply involved in providing the updated input data to the Nuclear, Safety and Environment Division, in charge of writing the DAC files. Sending off these files for the Demand of Authorization for Creation (DAC), the fundamental legal documents enabling us to obtain ITER nuclear license, has the highest priority.

Also, technical information has been provided to the nuclear safety authority showing that the ITER divertor does not fall within the scope of the French Pressure Equipment Decree on the basis that stresses on that component are dominated by electromagnetic and thermal loads.

Then, last but not least, a three-part series of training sessions were launched in order to achieve and maintain a strong safety culture within the ITER Organization. The first training session covered a general introduction including safety leadership and was mandatory for all ITER safety staff and senior management. The goal of the second session will be to gain a basic understanding of the nuclear safety framework here in France and its applications to the ITER Project. This part is intended for senior management and about 150 technical staff. For part three, the French safety authorities will come on site to train senior management, line-management and all ITER about nuclear regulations in France and the role of the regulator-operator. This will take place on the 1st of July and I strongly recommend to attend.

All this is set up in order to enhance our safety values, norms and attitudes which must be integrated into the entire operating organization from the design and construction phase of the facility and during the operation until its dismantling.