An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Integrated Nuclear Safety Assessment of Research Reactors (INSARR) mission has said that NRG of the Netherlands has promoted and further developed a strong safety culture at its Petten research reactor based on a mature management system. Following a comprehensive assessment of the safety procedures and regulations at the High Flux Reactor (HFR) from 4 to 11 October, the IAEA team offered recommendations and suggestions to further enhance safety measures at the facility. It noted a "mature management system and good practices" in the areas of training and qualification of staff and safety assessment, and a high level of implementation of previous INSARR recommendations made in 2011
The mission was carried out at the request of the Netherlands. "By requesting IAEA INSARR missions, the Netherlands has made a strong commitment to nuclear safety and to its continuous improvement," Greg Rzentkowski, IAEA Director of Nuclear Installation Safety, said. "This established practice to perform periodic safety reviews every five years will allow for systematic and comprehensive assessments of the reactor fitness for service and identification of practical upgrades to maintain safety of long-term operation," he added.
HFR is one of the world's key radioisotope production facilities, supplying about 70% of the medical isotopes in Europe and about 30% of global production.
