How ANSTO manages safety

Hot cells protect workers from radioactive material

ANSTO strives to ensure that potential hazards and risks are as low as reasonably achievable.

ANSTO undertakes a wide range of activities that benefit Australia through the careful application of nuclear-based science. The potential hazards associated with ANSTO's activities are similar to those found at any large industrial site or research facility.

Through the development and application of a robust safety management system, ANSTO strives to ensure that these risks are as low as reasonably achievable, and in line with the expectations of its regulators.

Occupational health, safety and environmental management system

ANSTO operates an Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Management (OHSE) system designed to ensure the safety of its employees, partners and members of the public. Equally, it aims to minimise the impact of its activities on the environment.

The basic requirements of ANSTO's OHSE management system are:

• Hazard identification: All activities are assessed to identify any hazards to staff, members of the public and the environment.

• Risk assessment: The risks from the identified hazards are assessed, accounting for both the likelihood of occurrence, and the potential worst-case consequences.

• Control measures are identified and implemented: The most appropriate means of controlling risks are identified, implemented and monitored to ensure continuing effectiveness.

Hierarchy of controls
  

In specifying control measures, ANSTO applies the accepted hierarchy of controls, namely:

• Eliminate: Where a hazard can be eliminated. This is the first choice.

• Substitute/reduce: Where a hazard cannot be eliminated, it is reduced as far as practicable. For example, minimising the quantities of hazardous chemicals used and using low voltage equipment where possible.

• Engineering controls: Measures are used to isolate hazards to prevent harmful interactions with personnel, or the environment. Examples include the use of hot cells for processing of radioactive material, and fume-cupboards within laboratories for handling hazardous chemicals.

• Administrative controls: Engineering controls are supported by a robust suite of administrative controls, including task and plant specific risk assessments, operator training, operating procedures and supervision.

These generic requirements are detailed in ANSTO's comprehensive safety management system, which is designed to meet international best practice.

Regular audits of the system are undertaken to ensure compliance with, and improvements to, the safety management system.