International experts' report critical of safety at Chornobyl

Eastern Economist

KYIV - The International Association of Operators of Atomic Energy Stations, a non-governmental organization, has produced a negative report on safety conditions at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant.

A group of international experts who visited Chornobyl in July at the invitation of the station's management was critical of Chornobyl staff's approach to safety procedures. The experts noted that the implementation of measures to increase safety at the station was unsatisfactory and the resulting level of safety unacceptable.

The association has carried out several dozen similar inspections at Chornobyl in the past, but this is the first time it has come to such damning conclusions.

According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Nuclear Safety, the association made serious mistakes in assessing the state of the reactor and equipment and the situation with measures to improve safety. The association's remarks are not new and some are already included on the list of reasons for completely shutting down the Chornobyl plant by the year 2000.

Experts from non-government nuclear organizations, who preferred to remain anonymous, have suggested that the association's conclusion could have been designed to intensify Western pressure on Ukraine to close down Chornobyl by 2000, even though full financing for completing construction of two new compensatory energy blocks at the Rivne and Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plants will not be forthcoming. The source pointed out that the conclusions of a non-governmental organization could not provide grounds for a decision on the Chornobyl shutdown.

The Chornobyl Information Service reported on September 11 that, in view of the conclusions of the International Association of Operators of Atomic Energy Stations, corrective measures would be included in previously planned work to improve safety. With technical support from the G-7 countries and the European Union, the Chornobyl plant is not only working to prepare the station for eventual shutdown but also taking measures to improve safety at the third energy block.

Specific measures to be taken shortly include improvements in: radiation control and control over metals in the reactor; fire safety measures; and quality of equipment maintenance and repairs. According to the information service, the introduction of new safety measures should significantly enhance the reactor's reliability.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, September 28, 1997, No. 39, Vol. LXV

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