APPLICATION OF SAFETY ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGIES FOR NEAR SURFACE RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES (ASAM)

Introduction

The safety of radioactive waste disposal facilities can be evaluated by using safety assessment methodology. In this context safety assessment means evaluation of the actual and potential hazards to human health and the environment associated with the natural evolution of a radioactive waste disposal facility over time, and with events, both deliberate and accidental, which could affect its integrity. By means of such assessment it is possible to identify the strengths and weaknesses in the overall safety of such facilities and, as necessary, develop actions to improve their status.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is organizing a new Coordinated Research Project (CRP) "Application of Safety Assessment Methodologies for Near-Surface Radioactive Waste Disposal Facilities" (ASAM). It will build on the experience gained with the ISAM programme (1997-2000), with special emphasis on application of the ISAM methodology to practical problems of topical interest.

Scope:

The ASAM project will consider practical application of the ISAM safety assessment methodology to proposed and existing near surface radioactive waste disposal facilities. The emphasis of the ASAM project will be on post-closure safety assessment, although, where considered appropriate, operational safety might also be assessed.
The waste types to be considered will include a range of low and intermediate level waste arising from: the extraction and processing of naturally occurring radioactive materials; the generation of nuclear power; the use of radionuclides in research, industry, medicine and education; and the decommissioning of nuclear facilities. The primary focus will be on the radioactive contaminants in the waste, however, where considered appropriate, non-radioactive contaminants will also be addressed.

Objectives:

The prime objectives of the project are to:

• explore practical application of the ISAM methodology to a range of near surface disposal facilities for a number of purposes, such as development of design concepts, safety reassessment and upgrading of existing facilities; and
• develop practical approaches to assist regulators, operators and other specialists reviewing safety assessments.

Work programme

The ASAM project will be controlled and co-ordinated through several Research Coordination Meetings (RCMs) in which the focus, direction and outcome of the project will be discussed and agreed. The work programme will be implemented through five working groups; three dealing with application of the ISAM safety assessment methodology to different waste types and two crosscutting groups dealing with various common issues:

(a) Safety Reassessment - reassessment of the safety of existing disposal facilities

(b) Disused Sealed Sources and Heterogeneous Waste - assessing the disposal of disused sealed sources and other heterogeneous radioactive waste

(c) Mining and Minerals Processing Waste - assessing disposal of mining and minerals processing waste and other waste with an enhanced content of naturally occurring radionuclides

(d) Review and Regulatory Aspects - review of safety assessments and associated regulatory aspects, including the development of recommendations for the regulatory review of a safety assessment; incorporation of safety assessment in a safety case, and review of safety case, and

(e) Common Application Aspects - specific common aspects in application of safety assessment methodologies such as the assessment of disruptive events (e.g. human intrusion) and the performance of engineered barriers.

The rationale, scope, objectives and anticipated outcomes of each of these working groups are outlined in the document, "ASAM - The International Project on Application of Safety Assessment Methodologies for Near Surface Radioactive Waste Disposal Facilities"(.pdf - 260KB).

Work Plan

The detailed activities of the ASAM project will be discussed at the research coordination meetings (RCMs) and working groups (WG) meetings. A coordinating group will be established comprised of the ASAM chairman and the working group leaders with the responsibility to coordinate the working group activities and the overall project and it will meet as necessary (CG meetings).

The ASAM project will be launched at the First Research Coordination Meeting (RCM) to be held 11 - 15 November 2002 at the IAEA Headquarters in Vienna, Austria. In this regard, please review the documents below:

• Tentative Agenda (.pdf - 138KB)
• Participation Form (pdf - 82KB). Mandatory for persons wishing to attend.

ASAM Newsletters

A newsletter will be issued periodically reporting on progress with the project and achievements.

Outcomes

It is envisaged that the main outcomes of the project will be improvement and harmonisation in the way that safety assessment methodology is applied in practice, development of a coherent and consistent approach to the treatment of a number of common issues and the development of consensus on approaches to regulatory review of safety assessments and the associated decision making processes.

Participants

Participants in the CRP should be from organizations or regulatory bodies concerned with assessing the safety of near surface disposal facilities or related decision making in respect of new facilities, continued operation of existing facilities or upgrading of facilities. They will be expected to contribute to the project by participating in technical discussions, applying methodologies to real problems and taking part in the development of test cases.