[en] This paper deals with a simple but practical medical support of geographically distributed nuclear reactors in isolated areas. A staff of experts at a centre devote their full attention to accident prevention and preparedness at reactor sites. They establish and maintain emergency medical programs at reactor sites and nearby support hospitals. The emphasis is on first aid and emergency treatment by medical attendants who are not and cannot be experts in radiation but do know how to treat patients. (author)

[en] The continuing development of nuclear power and the siting of nuclear power stations in densely populated areas makes it necessary to work out and apply special measures to protect station staff, the general population and the environment from the effects of radiation in various operating regimes. There is at present no single, comprehensive solution to the problem of ensuring radiation safety at nuclear power plants; the goal can be attained only by applying a complex set of technological, engineering, medical and administrative measures. This paper examines the main design and operational approaches to preventing excessive irradiation of staff and population in nuclear power plant emergencies, a number of different classes of emergency being considered. Questions of the tactics to be followed when specific anti-emergency measures are called for are also discussed. Stress is laid on the reliability and radiation safety of nuclear power stations currently in operation. (author)

[en] An employee of the Valduc Centre (France) suffered an injury to his right thumb when working in a glove-box on a pipeline which had contained a solution of ²³⁹Pu and Am. The lesion was slight but attempts at decontamination were fruitless. The contamination was deep-seated (activity of not less than 18nCi). DTPA was injected intravenously, and it was decided to excise the lesion surgically. Thanks to the quality of its physical facilities and the professional quality of its radiation medicine and surgery team, the Valduc Centre was able to carry out the operation successfully. The result was excellent, and the contamination was eliminated to the satisfaction of both the patient and the physician. (author)

[en] History, basic concepts, organization and means of the Swiss Emergency Organization are described and some specific problems and solutions are discussed. Preference is assigned to organizations, structures and means already in existence. The frame for coordination of the efforts is given by the principal arrangements of the total defense. The most important installation is a permanent Monitoring Center operating 24 hours a day attached to the national weather service. The concept of the emergency organization is based on an analysis of the possible types of events, the sequences of phases of an accident, the dominant character of an incident, the protection objectives and the possible or available preventive and protective measures. The systematic analysis of these factors shows clearly in which cases the federal emergency organization has to operate and which events can be handled with the normal means of the civil authorities. Special topics such as the concept of dose limits, vertical evacuation to civil defense shelters or cellars and the project for an automatic nation-wide meteorological and radiological monitoring network are presented. (author)

[en] An attempt is made to classify the types of potential accidental radioactive releases from a nuclear power plant equipped with a pressurized water reactor of the model which is in most common use at present. In this way the authors arrive at a limited number of categories characterized by the extent and kinetics of release. Each category is represented by a typical accident. It is possible to perform dose calculations for such typical accidents by relating them to transfer conditions. This procedure thus yields catalogues of data which are of use in preparing appropriate emergency plans and in evaluating risks in the case of an actual accident. (author)

[en] The U.S. Federal Government is encouraging, guiding, and assisting State and local Governments in the development of radiological emergency response plans. Several Federal agencies are involved. This report summarizes the efforts of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency which is responsible for providing guidance and criteria for determining whether protective actions are needed and which protective actions would be most appropriate for accidents involving fixed nuclear facilities and transportation. The report discusses three accident phases for releases: (1) the emergency phase where quick decisions and actions will be required to protect the public from whole-body exposure and inhalation exposure, (2) the intermediate phase where whole-body exposure from deposited materials and ingestion of contaminated food and water will be the critical exposure pathways, and (3) the long-term or recovery phase where low-level direct radiation and food contaminated by uptake or resuspension from the soil would be the critical exposure pathways. Separate Protective Action Guides (PAGs) are being developed for each phase. PAGs for the emergency phase have been established as a range of 1 to 5 rem projected whole-body dose and 5 to 25 rem projected thyroid dose for the population. Emergency phase PAGs for the lung are under development as well as PAGs for the intermediate and long-term phases. Conclusions from studies of evacuation and shelter are provided, and current studies on restorative actions for the long-term phase are discussed. (author)

[en] U.S. Radiological Emergency Response Planning and Preparedness Training Programs for State and local government emergency response personnel have been established to support fixed nuclear facilities and for transportation accidents involving radioactive materials. This paper outlines the perceived need for this training in two basic categories - planning and preparedness. An overview of the curriculums for these training programs is presented which includes training for emergency medical personnel, radiological emergency monitoring teams, and supervisory and management personnel at the State and local government level. Realistic practical exercises in responding to industrial radiography accidents, transportation accidents involving radioactive materials and power reactor accidents are part of the training program. Generic experience gained from the conduct of practical exercises is outlined, highlighting those areas of planning and preparedness that require the most improvement. Relative costs of these training programs are indicated. (author)

[en] Factors which must be considered in advance planning for accident/incident investigation are discussed and developed in analytical tree format. Basic areas developed are those relating to: Reporting and classifying events; Methods for preservation of evidence; Considerations in setting up the investigation group; Methods for establishing the investigation group; Methods for initiating and conducting the investigation; Training of personnel; Reporting procedures and controls; Post-investigation activities. This paper also relates advance preparations for formal accident investigation to the comprehensive investigation methodology recently developed by the United States Energy Research and Development Administration. These considerations are, however, perfectly general and represent the necessary and sufficient conditions for establishing a state of readiness for any investigating methodology. (author)

[en] In the event of a nuclear accident it will be necessary to start operations as soon as possible in zones inaccessible to man in order to determine the nature and extent of damage (measurement of various parameters, visual observation and photography) and to take action with a view to limiting the consequences of the accident. These various operations will have to be performed by remote-handling equipment containing measurement devices, television cameras and manipulators. The development of devices for immediate action is not independent of that of devices for subsequent operations either for repair or for dismantling. The paper describes the devices used at present in France and reports the experience gained over several years by the CEA Mobile Remote-Handling Team during action at nuclear facilities. It suggests a strategy for the utilization of such equipment and outlines a programme for developing essential facilities, taking into account the possibilities of international assistance. (author)

[en] The organization and means of the emergency organization of the Federal Institute for Reactor Research (EIR), the eldest and largest nuclear installation in Switzerland, are described. It consists of a central command group and the following emergency teams: fire brigade, radiation protection, first aid, control, operating teams (reactors, hot laboratory etc.). The radiation protection team is formed by the Health Physics Division and is discussed in detail. A description of the alarm system and the first actions to be taken in case of an emergency is given. The importance of frequent and well-planned exercises and of radio communication between the teams and the command group is stressed and the emergency training programme of the EIR School for Radiation Protection, operated by the Health Physics Division, is presented. A fortunate lack of incidents at EIR is partly compensated for by experience gained from emergency team assistance operations during incidents outside the Institute. (author)