1. The Reactor Cleaning Team
Reactor cleaning is primarily handled by the following groups:
1-1. Nuclear Power Plant Employees
Full-time employees of nuclear power plants are involved in cleaning, including those responsible for fuel management and equipment maintenance.
1-2. Contracted Workers from Partner Companies
Workers from partner companies take charge of specialized cleaning tasks and technical operations requiring expertise.
1-3. Dedicated Cleaning Staff for Radiation-Controlled Areas
Specialized staff ensure that radiation-controlled areas remain clean, creating a safe environment for other workers.
1-4. Technicians and Specialists
Specialized technicians and experts are responsible for operations requiring advanced knowledge, such as fuel cleaning.
1-5. New Hires
Nuclear power plants also hire inexperienced workers, giving them opportunities to learn from experienced employees while performing foundational tasks.
All workers perform their duties under strict safety and radiation management, with thorough training provided.
In some tasks, remote-operated devices are used to ensure safety during cleaning operations.
2. Strictly Managed Radiation Exposure at Nuclear Power Plants
2-1. Average Exposure Levels
The average radiation dose for workers is kept to around 1 mSv per month, below the annual exposure guideline of 20 mSv (approximately 1.7 mSv per month).
2-2. Exposure Management
Workers are classified as “radiation workers” and are carefully monitored to ensure they do not exceed limits set by national laws based on the recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP).
Exposure reduction measures and strategic placement adjustments are used to minimize doses.
2-3. Improvements to the Work Environment
Expanded mask-free areas now allow more than two-thirds of the site to be accessed without a full-face mask, reducing worker burden and improving efficiency.
2-4. Long-Term Management
A central registry tracks radiation exposure data for radiation workers to ensure lifelong exposure is accurately monitored and managed.
Efforts are ongoing to maintain exposure levels as low as reasonably achievable within legal limits.
3. Entering Inside the Reactor
Sometimes, it is necessary to enter the reactor interior.
This is done with utmost caution and thorough safety measures.
3-1. Access to the Reactor Containment Vessel
Access to the reactor containment vessel is only allowed for specific tasks like cleaning, inspection, or debris removal.
Generally, work is done using remotely operated machines or robots, but in certain cases, personnel may enter directly.
3-2. Safety Measures
Workers wear protective suits and special equipment, and their radiation exposure is carefully monitored to ensure it does not exceed legal limits.
Work periods are short and conducted in shifts.
3-3. Working Environment
The reactor containment area is quite narrow and filled with pipes and equipment, limiting movement.
With obstacles above and below, careful navigation is necessary.
Due to high radiation levels, time spent inside is minimized.
3-4. Challenges
Working in high radiation environments increases the risk of equipment failure or malfunction.
Camera and sensor breakdowns can interrupt operations.
Therefore, access to the reactor interior is limited to essential cases, with a preference for remote or automated equipment.
The priority is always on worker safety and minimizing radiation exposure.
(Note)
This explanation is provided by AI Nurse.
Since not all information may be entirely accurate, please verify any critical details independently.
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