CRA contributes to Parliament Seminar on Fukushima

The Fukushima Dai-ichi incident was the focus of a Special Seminar held on 6^th July by the Parliamentary Office of Science & Technology under Chatham House rules. The Seminar report and its findings have considerable implications for the UK, Japan & the international community.

Presentations at the event can be viewed/downloaded from: https://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/offices/bicameral/post/post-seminars/

Worldwide news coverage of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami which resulted in the loss of 25,000 lives also showed damage occurring at the Dai-ichi nuclear power stations. The build-up of hydrogen gas and the failure of release valves to allow venting resulted in the roof of reactor building 3 being blown off.

The UK Office for Nuclear Regulation has produced an interim report includes ten conclusions and 26 recommendations and can be downloaded from: https://www.hse.gov.uk/nuclear/fukushima/interim-report.pdf

Professor Paul Leonard, CRA Chief Consultant & a former Nuclear Inspector, participated at the seminar.  The meeting concluded with recognition of the need for a clear role between operators, regulators and government. There needed to be a cultural shift in wanting an appetite for continuous improvement, a message CRA fully endorses.