Safety Assessment Methodologies (ASAM)

Coordinated Research Project on Application of Safety Assessment Methodologies for Near-Surface 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) launched a new Coordinated Research Project (CRP) "Application of Safety Assessment Methodologies for Near-Surface Radioactive Waste Disposal Facilities" (ASAM) in 2002. It builds 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 considers practical application of the ISAM safety assessment methodology to proposed and existing near surface radioactive waste disposal facilities. The emphasis of the ASAM project is on post-closure safety assessment, although, where considered appropriate, operational safety might also be assessed.

The waste types under consideration 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 is on the radioactive contaminants in the waste, however, where considered appropriate, non-radioactive contaminants are also addressed.

Objectives

The prime objectives of the project are to:

Work programme

The ASAM project is 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 is being implemented through five working groups; three dealing with application of the ISAM safety assessment methodology to different waste types and two cross-cutting groups dealing with various common issues:

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"(260KB).

Work Plan

Research Coordination Meetings

The detailed activities of the ASAM project are discussed at the research coordination meetings (RCMs) and working groups (WG) meetings. A coordinating group was established at the first RCM 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 is planned to meet as necessary (CG meetings).

First Coordination Meeting - 11-15 November, 2002, IAEA, Vienna:

The ASAM project was launched at the First Research Coordination meeting (RCM) held 11 - 15 November 2002 at the IAEA Headquarters in Vienna, Austria. The main documents from the meeting are:

Reassessment Working Group:

Disused Sealed Sources Working Group:

Mining and Mineral Processing Waste Working Group:

Common Application Working Group:

Regulatory Review Working Group

Joint ASAM Working Group Meeting - 2-6 June 2003, IAEA, Vienna

A meeting of the three Application Working Groups and the two Cross-cutting Working Groups is planned to take place from 2 to 6 June 2003 at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna. The main purposes of the meeting are to discuss the progress made by the individual working groups, further develop the documents and structure the test cases of the Application Working Groups. The meeting will also discuss the key aspect to be addressed in the 2nd RCM in February 2004.

Second Coordination Meeting - 5-13 February 2004, IAEA, Vienna:

The second research co-ordination meeting of the ASAM project was held in Vienna 5 - 13 February, attended by eighty participants from forty countries. The project is exploring the application of safety assessment methodologies to near surface radioactive waste disposal facilites, focusing on topical issues faced by many facility operators and regulatory authorities alike. The project has three working groups concerned with application of safety assessment methodology in respect of; re-assessing the safety of existing facilites, disposal of disused sealed radiation sources and other heterogeneous waste and mining and minerals processing waste disposal. It also has two cross cutting working groups, the first considering regulatory review of safety assessments and confidence building, the second looking at aspects common to all facilities, such as dealing with limited information and the role of conservatism versus realism. The project is on track and making excellent progress and is clearly of value to many Member States, particularly in view of the Joint Convention highlighting the need for systematic demonstration of safety of disposal facilites.

Working Group Meetings

Mining and Mineral Processing Working Group - 17-21 March 2003, IAEA, Vienna:

Regulatory Review Working Group - 17-21 March 2003, IAEA, Vienna:

Safety Reassessment Working Group - 15 April 2003, IAEA, Vienna.

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 are 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 contribute to the project by participating in technical discussions, applying methodologies to real problems and taking part in the development of test cases.

For further information please contact P. Metcalf


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