The CNSC’s Nuclear Emergency Preparedness and Response document highlights requirements and guidance related to the emergency preparedness programs development for Class I nuclear facilities and uranium mines and mills.
The programs are intended to prevent or mitigate the effects of accidental releases from a Class I nuclear facility or a uranium mine or mill.
The regulation particularly mandates pre-distribution of KI pills in cooperation with all government authorities.
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission president and chief executive officer Dr Michael Binder said: "Since the Fukushima accident, the CNSC has updated its requirements to further enhance nuclear safety and ensure that licensees and Canadians are thoroughly prepared to respond to any scenario.
"The pre-distribution of KI pills are just one of the many requirements established to protect people in the event of a nuclear emergency, no matter how improbable."
CNSC’s other regulatory document, Accident Management, highlights the requirement of the development, implementation and validation of integrated accident management programs for reactor facilities, and provides guidance on how these requirements should be met.
In addition to addressing lessons learned from the Fukushima nuclear accident, the two new regulatory documents comprise international post-Fukushima best practices and guidance for use by current and future Canadian licensees.
The Nuclear Emergency Preparedness and Response is meant to enhance public preparedness through improved emergency information provisions while the Accident Management is intended to boost and upgrade the CNSC’s accident management regulatory framework.
