Commentary on Sections Part 3: Nuclear Regulation Chapter 1: The ONR’s purposes Section 68: Nuclear safety purposes
354.This section defines the ONR’s nuclear safety purposes. These relate to protecting persons against the risks of harm from ionising radiation arising from, or in connection with, “GB nuclear sites”. Risks of harm from ionising radiation that may arise from the design and construction, operation and decommissioning of relevant nuclear installations, or from the storage of nuclear matter used or stored on GB nuclear sites, are also within the scope of this purpose (see subsections (1)(a) to (c)), as well as the arrangements to minimise those risks in the event of an escape or release of such ionising radiation (see subsection (1)(d)). This section brings the specific hazards posed by nuclear installations and nuclear sites within the ONR’s remit.
355.“Relevant nuclear installation” is defined in subsection (3). The term includes former, current or proposed “nuclear installations” within the meaning of section 26 of the Nuclear Installations Act 1965, located (or to be located) anywhere in Great Britain and which required, require, or would require (as the case may be), the operator to hold a site licence under section 1 of that Act. These installations include nuclear reactors, enrichment facilities and installations that are designed or adapted to store nuclear fuel. Reactors that are part of a means of transport (such as a nuclear submarine) are not included within this definition. Only installations on “GB nuclear sites” are within the scope of this purpose. Such sites are nuclear sites (within the meaning of section 112) in England, Wales or Scotland.