CIRCULAR

ON THE FORMULATION AND APPROVAL FOR THE ON-SITE AND PROVINCIAL PLANS FOR RESPONSE TO NUCLEAR AND RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCIES

Pursuant to the Law on Atomic Energy dated June 03^rd 2008;

Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 28/2008/ND-CP dated March 14^th 2008, defining the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Science and Technology;

The Minister of Science and Technology guides the formulation and approval for the on-site and provincial plans for response to nuclear and radiological emergencies,

SECTION 1. GENERAL REGULATIONS

Article 1. Scope of regulation and subjects of application

1. This Circular guides the formulation and approval for the on-site and provincial plans for nuclear and radiological emergency response.

...

...

...

a) The organizations and individuals doing radiological works;

b) People’s Committees of central-affiliated cities and provinces (hereinafter referred to as provincial People’s Committees)

c) The agencies competent to license radiological works and approve plans for nuclear and radiological emergency response.

Article 2. Interpretation of terms

In this Circular, the terms below are construed as follows:

1. Nuclear and radiological emergencies (hereinafter referred to as emergencies) are the lack of radiological safety and nuclear safety, the lack of security of radioactive sources, nuclear materials, nuclear equipment, and the facility.

2. Threat category is a group of facilities, radioactive sources, radiological devices, and activities with potential for an emergency and equivalent damage.

3. Emergency response is the quick implementation measures for mitigating the consequences of an emergency that could affect the safety and health of humans, and cause damage to the environment and property.

4. Emergency plan is the documents specifying the operation principles, responsibilities, the mechanism of operation and cooperation among the organizations and individuals participating in the emergency response; assessing the risks, and provide general response procedures; the preparedness for emergency response is to mitigate the consequences of the emergency.

...

...

...

The emergency plans made by the organizations and individuals doing radiological works and provincial People’s Committees must:

1. Be conformable with law and the plans for responding to other kinds of emergencies.

2. Be conformable with the corresponding threat category of each facility and locality in radiological and nuclear activities.

3. The emergency plan must ensure that the response is prompt, controlled, and the cooperation is consistent and efficient; the responsibilities of organizations and individuals participating in the preparation and emergency response are clearly defined.

Article 4. Responsibility for making emergency plan

1. Based on the corresponding threat category provided in Annex I of this Circular, the organizations and individuals doing radiological works shall make on-site emergency plans and submit them to competent agencies for approval.

2. Provincial People’s Committees shall make provincial emergency plans based on the corresponding threat category in the province and the provisions in Chapter II of this Circular, and submit them to competent agencies for approval.

Article 5. Approving emergency plans

1. Requirement of the application for approval

...

...

...

- The written request for the approval;

- 03 copies of the on-site emergency plan made in accordance with Chapter II of this Circular; signed and sealed by the head of the unit. All pages must be sealed and covered.

b) The dossier of application for the approval for an provincial emergency plan includes:

- The written request for the approval;

- 04 copies of the provincial emergency plan made in accordance with Chapter II of this Circular; signed and sealed by the head of the unit. All pages be sealed and covered.

2. Authority to grant approval

a) The agencies competent to issue Licenses to do radiological works as prescribed in Article 23 of the Circular No. 08/2010/TT-BKHCN dated July 22^nd 2010 are also competent to approve on-site emergency plans;

b) The Minister of Science and Technology shall approve provincial emergency plans.

3. Approving procedure

...

...

...

b) The provincial People’s Committee that applies for the approval for the provincial emergency plan shall submit 01 dossier as prescribed in Point b Clause 1 Article 5 of this Circular to the Ministry of Science and Technology. Within 10 days from the day on which the Ministry of Science and Technology receives the complete dossier, the Ministry of Science and Technology shall establish a Provincial Emergency Plan Evaluation Council. Within 60 days from the day on which the result is given by the Evaluation Council, the Ministry of Science and Technology shall issue a decision to approve the provincial emergency plan. The refusal to grant the approval must be notified and explained in writing by the Ministry of Science and Technology;

SECTION 2. ON-SITE AND PROVINCIAL EMERGENCY PLANS

Article 6. On-site emergency plans in threat categories I, II and III

An on-site emergency plans in threat categories I, II and III includes:

1. General provisions

a) Scope of regulation and subjects of application of the emergency plan;

b) The interpretation of terms in the emergency plan;

c) The list, addresses, phone numbers of the organizations and individuals that participate in the emergency response (hereinafter referred to as participants) and the organizations and individuals that assist (hereinafter referred to as assisting personnel);

d) The list of other relevant effective plans for responding to relevant emergencies such as natural disasters and fire in the province.

...

...

...

a) The legal bases for making emergency plans are legislative documents issued by central and local State agencies;

b) Technical bases: analyze the causes of the emergency at the facility to identify the threat category and construct emergency response scenarios corresponding to the group of situations prescribed in Article 82 of the Law on Atomic Energy; and identify the ability to mobilize equipment and manpower when in an emergency.

3. The organizational structure and responsibilities of participants:

a) The organizational structure and organizational chart of the on-site emergency response plan

b) Responsibilities of participants, including the head of the facility, the command group and its members, the participating departments and assisting departments.

4. The preparedness for emergency response:

a) Manpower and equipment of the participants;

b) The training and practicing plan (scenario, time, frequency) for participants;

c) The emergency plan must be periodically updated and supplemented.

...

...

...

5. Emergency response activities

a) The emergency response rules and operating mechanism during the emergency response;

b) The mobilization of manpower and equipment corresponding to the alarm level;

c) The response stages, the targets of each stage, the processes and guidance on achieving such targets. The basic response stages are specified in Annex II of this Circular;

d) The internal communication system, request for assistance, and public announcement.

6. The annexes

a) The documents serving the emergency response such as the templates of notices and information sheets as prescribed in Annex III of this Circular; determination of alarm levels and response level; the manpower and equipment needed; and the appointment of the incident commander;

b) Some instructions to provide information during emergency response; instruction on how to ensure safety for the public in an emergency; recommendation about the safety perimeter in an emergency prescribed in Annex III of this Circular;

c) The criteria for ending the response, the targets of long-term restoration plans;

...

...

...

dd) The reports;

e) The emergency response log.

Article 7. On-site emergency plans in threat category IV

1. When a facility does radiological works in threat category IV that use radioactive sources in group 2 as prescribed in National Technical Regulation No. QCVN 6:2010/BKHCN on radiation safety – Categorization and classification of radioactive sources (hereinafter referred to as QCVN 6:2010/BKHCN) shall formulate its emergency plan according to Article 6 of this Circular, and adjust it to match the scale, quantity, and danger of radioactive sources.

2. When a facility does radiological works in threat category IV that use accelerators and radioactive sources in group 3, 4, and 5 as prescribed in QCVN 6:2010/BKHCN shall formulate a emergency plan, including:

a) The legal basis as prescribed in Point a Clause 2 Article 6 of this Circular;

b) The organizational structure and responsibilities of the departments and individuals related to the preparation and response to radiological emergencies, specifying the regulations on the supply of resources serving the response;

c) The analysis of the potential for an emergency in the facility: identify the major hazards to the facility in order to construct scenarios for responding to such hazards;

d) Considering some scenarios for responding to some emergencies such as overexposure, accidents during the source transport, dropping sources, losing sources;

...

...

...

3. The facilities using x-ray equipment for medical diagnosis shall formulate emergency plans specifying the responsibility to report when radiation workers or patients suffer from overexposure; the contents of emergency reports; the responsibility and method for assessing the exposure and monitoring health status of the people suffering from overexposure.

Article 8. Provincial emergency plans

A provincial emergency plan includes:

1. General regulations as prescribed in Clause 1 Article 6 of this Circular;

2. The legal and technical basis

a) The legal basis for formulating the plan is specified in Point a Clause 2 Article 6, and the additional legal basis for the mobilization and support in manpower, property, means, and compensation for the cost of emergency response;

b) The assessment and analysis of the potential for an emergency in the province related to the local radiological activities; the causes of insecurity related to the use of radiological dispersal devices, the use of radioactive sources for illegal purposes, or the sabotage of radioactive sources; the radioactive sources not under control; the causes of the emergency from other provinces that may affect the current province; the causes of emergencies for other countries that affect the province; the potential for an emergency in threat category V;

c) The emergency response scenario that correspond with the threat categories in the province.

3. The organizational structure and responsibilities of participants

...

...

...

b) Specify the responsibility of each participant in the preparation and emergency response, in particular: the composition of the command group, the responsibility of the command group and its members; responsibility of the incident commander, responsibility of participating organizations and assisting organizations.

4. The preparation for emergency response:

a) The regulations on the preparation of manpower, equipment, and funding of the participating organizations. The provinces in threat category I or II must set up emergency zones and corresponding response plans;

b) The regulation on the training and practice (scenario, time, frequency) for organizations and individuals in emergency plans;

c) The regulations on the location of the command post;

d) The regulations on the examination, update, and supplementation of the plan.

5. Emergency response activities

a) The rules for emergency response;

b) The method of mobilizing resources for emergency response corresponding to the alarm level;

...

...

...

d) The method of notifying information related to the emergency response developments to the participants and the mass media during the emergency response in accordance with the guidance in Annex III of this Circular;

dd) The regulation on notification, assistance, and request for assistance to relevant localities during the emergency response.

6. The annex that contains:

c) The list, addresses, phone numbers of the command group and participants;

a) The documents serving the emergency response such as notices and information reception; determination of alarm levels and response level; the manpower and equipment needed; and the assignment of the incident commander;

b) Some instructions such as instruction to provide information during emergency response; instruction on how to ensure safety for the public when an emergency occurs; recommendation about the safety perimeter in an radiological emergency;

d) The criteria for ending response activities, the targets when making long-term restoration plans;

a) The specific scenarios according to Point c Clause 2 Article 8 of this Circular.

SECTION 3. REGULATIONS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION

...

...

...

1. The organizations and individuals that were licensed before this Circular takes effect shall submit applications for the approval for on-site emergency plans as prescribed in Point a Clause 1 Article 5 of this Circular within 03 months from the effective date of this Circular.

2. The organizations and individuals that have submitted the applications for licensing radiological works but have not been licensed before this Circular takes effect must provide the emergency plans as prescribed in Article 5 of this Circular.

Article 10. Effects

1. This Circular takes effect after 45 days from the day on which it is signed. This Circular replaces the part about radiological emergency response plans specified in the safety assessment report in Annex III of the Circular No. 08/2010/TT-BKHCN dated July 22^nd 2010 of the Ministry of Science and Technology, guiding the declaration and issuance of Licenses for radiological works and certificates of radiation workers.

2. Organizations and individuals are recommended to report the difficulties arising during the course of implementation to the Ministry of Science and Technology for consideration and supplementation./.

PP THE MINISTER
DEPUTY MINISTER




Le Dinh Tien

...

...

...

THREAT CATEGORIES CORRESPONDING TO VARIOUS TYPES OF FACILITIES AND RADIOLOGICAL WORKS
(Enclosed with the Circular No. 24/2012/TT-BKHCN dated December 04^th 2012 of the Minister of Science and Technology)

The threats are classified into 05 categories: I, II, III, IV, and V, corresponding to the types of facilities and radiological works, in particular:

Threat category

Description

I

The facilities with potential for emergencies followed by deterministic effects off the site, including:

- The reactors with outputs ≥ 110MW (th) (power reactors, nuclear-powered ships, and research reactors).

- Reservoirs of spent fuel that may hold burned fuel elements of which the total activity exceeds 10¹⁷ Bq Cs-137 (equivalent to the capacity in a reactor core of 3000 MW (th)).

- The facilities with inventories of dispersible radioactive materials sufficient to result in severe deterministic effects off the site.

...

...

...

The facilities with potential for emergencies that could result in high doses warranting off-site urgent protective action, including:

- Reactors with outputs of 2 MW (th) - 100 MW (th).

- Reservoirs of burned fuel that need cooling.

- The facilities with potential for an uncontrolled criticality within 0.5 km of the off-site boundary.

- The facilities with inventories of dispersible radioactive materials sufficient to result in doses warranting off-site urgent protective action.

Threat category II does not include the facilities in threat category I

III

The facilities with potential for emergencies that could result in doses warranting off-site urgent protective action, including:

- The facilities with potential for causing direct external dose rate ≥ 100 mGy/h at 1 m if shielding is lost.

...

...

...

- The reactors with outputs ≤ 2 MW (th).

- The facilities with inventories of dispersible radioactive materials sufficient to result in doses warranting on-site urgent protective action.

Threat category III does not include the facilities in threat categories I and II

IV

- The licensed radiological works such as using radioactive sources and radiological devices, transporting radioactive sources, and other activities.

- Illegal activities such as illegally trading and storing radioactive sources, vandalism and terrorism.

- Fragments of nuclear-powered satellites or radioisotope thermoelectric generators

- The uncontrolled radioactive sources (facilities/locations at which there is a significant probability of encountering an uncontrolled dangerous source such as scrap metal processing facilities and along the national boundary).

Threat category IV does not include the facilities in threat categories I, II, and III

...

...

...

The products with great potential for contamination due to emergencies that occur at the facilities in threat category I or II (including the facilities in other countries) that require necessary limits on products as prescribed by law and International Conventions

ANNEX II

BASIC EMERGENCY RESPONSE STAGES
(Enclosed with the Circular No. 24/2012/TT-BKHCN dated December 04^th 2012 of the Minister of Science and Technology)

Stage 1: receiving and processing initial information: process information to serve the initial response; establish a procedure for receiving and processing information; provide instruction to protect the public, limit the spread of the emergency, and determine the alarm level.

Stage 2: notifying participants in emergency response; establish a procedure  for determining and announcing alarm levels, notifying and summoning relevant organizations and individuals, appointing the on-site incident commander.

Stage 3: mobilizing resources and deploying responding activities: mobilize participants and necessary resources; request the participants to establish a procedure for mobilizing and deploying resources for the response corresponding to the alarm level.

Stage 4: make on-site intervention: assess the radiation developments, the on-site influence in order to make decisions on the alarm levels; make interventions (evacuate people, identify contaminated people, carry out on-site decontamination; gather radioactive sources or carry out decontamination; protect the participants and the public; provide emergency treatment for victims, etc; request additional assistance; request participants to establish specific procedures for performing the above tasks.

Stage 5: ending of the response and preparation for long-term recovery plan: notify the ending of emergency response to the participants in emergency response and the public, and prepare for the long-term recovery plan. Establish a procedure or formulate regulations on the method of notifying the ending of the emergency to the participants and the public; establish criteria and make plans for radiation control and environmental restoration, make plan for monitoring and treating victims.

...

...

...

For provincial emergency response: send a summary report to the provincial People’s Committee, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and relevant Ministries (at their request) as prescribed.

ANNEX III

SOME INSTRUCTIONS ON EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACTIVITIES
(Enclosed with the Circular No. 24/2012/TT-BKHCN dated December 04^th 2012 of the Minister of Science and Technology)

I. FORM OF NOTICES AND INFORMATION SHEET

A. GENERAL INFORMATION

Operator’s full name:

Workplace:

The Service of Science and Technology of : ………………………………. □

...

...

...

Ambulance service - 115:......................................................................... □

Fire department - 114:.............................................................................. □

Local police:.............................................................................................. □

The People’s Committee of:..................................................................... □

Other units:............................................................................................... □

Phone number:

B. INCOMING MESSAGE

Name of caller:

Position: Citizen □         Facility personnel □       Responder □

...

...

...

Phone number:                                        Calling time:

Location of emergency:

(Facility address or location)

Emergency description:.........................................................................................

..............................................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................................

Impact on the public:                                         Yes  □                No  □

Request for support?    Yes  □                No  □

Requested assistance?:

...

...

...

..............................................................................................................................

Recommendation to caller (by phone):

..............................................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................................

Phone verification:                                         Yes  □                No  □

Copy sent to:           Command group   □            Service of Science and Technology  □

Operator

...

...

...

II. SOME INSTRUCTIONS ON INFORMATION PROVISION IN NUCLEAR AND RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Notes:

- These instructions must be adapted to suit actual situations.

- The report contents must be approved by the incident commander.

The report shall be provided when:

- Specific information is not available.

- A radiological emergency occurs, including radiological dispersal devices and other emergency situation during transport.

- Highly dangerous sources are lost or stolen.

...

...

...

A. Initial information provision

Date:

Time:

Number of report:

 [Name of organization] certifies that a report [origin of the emergency] is received. According to the information provided, [the emergency] occurred at [location and time]. The report shows that [verified information about the emergency] and the measures [initial response actions] are taken to protect [the public, the responders, goods, trade, or other targets]. The current emergency plan has been launched [and the communication center is activated].

 [Name of organization] is cooperating with on-site response participants and [relevant organizations]. Specific information shall be provided as soon as everything is clear. [Details about the time when new report or update is provided]. Next report shall be provided at [location and time].

Contact the person below for more information:

Full name (of the person in charge of contacting the press):

Workplace:

...

...

...

Cell phone:

Email:                                                               Website:

B. Instructions on some specific situations

1. The emergencies involving radiological dispersal devices and transport

Date:

Time:

Number of report:

 [Name of organization] certifies the occurrence of an emergency that might be relevant to radioactive materials [causes of the emergency]. According to the information provided, [the emergency] occurred at [location and time]. The report shows that [verified information about the emergency] and the measures [initial response actions] are taken to protect [the public, the responders, goods, trade, or other targets]. The current emergency plan has been launched [and the communication center is activated].

Follow the recommendations below to ensure safety:

...

...

...

- The persons who leave the site without being examined by [name of individual or unit] must change their clothes, take a bath (if possible), wash their hands before eating, and go to [location] to undergo examination and receive follow-up instructions.

- The persons that transport other people (such as victims) must go to [location] to undergo tests for radioactive contamination.

* If emission into the air is suspected, the people within the radius of 1 km from [location] must follow the recommendations below:

- Stay indoors until [the time when the emission is over].

- Do not eat or drink stuff that might be contaminated (such as vegetables planted outdoors or rainwater) until other information is provided.

- Do not let children play outdoors.

- Wash hands before eating.

- Stay away from dusty areas and avoid creating dust.

- Do not go to the site to help without permission.

...

...

...

* The people having health issues should go to [an area away from the local hospital for radiation inspection and investigation].

The medical personnel must be warned about the patients showing symptom of exposure (skin burn without apparent reasons – the patients does not remember why they are burned).

* Call [a hotline able to handle multiple calls at the same time without affecting the response] for any information.

More information shall be provided as soon as possible. [Details about the time when new report or update is provided]. Next report shall be provided at [location and time].

Contact the person below for more information:

Full name (of the person in charge of contacting the press):

Workplace:

Phone number:

Cell phone:

...

...

...

2. Situations in which radioactive sources are lost or stolen.

Date:

Time:

Number of report:

 [Name of organization] certifies the an object that contain radioactive materials is lost/stolen. According to the information provided, the object is lost/stolen at [location and time]. [name of the competent agency] has taken actions [initial actions such as searching] and obtain information from the public to help finding this dangerous object. The current emergency plan has been launched [and the communication center is activated].

The lost object looks like [describe the object and provide images if possible]

Follow the recommendations below to ensure safety:

- This object is very dangerous. Avoid touching it and stay away from it at least 10 m if it is found.

- One that sees this object must immediately notify [name of information receiver]

...

...

...

The medical personnel must be warned about the patients showing symptom of exposure (skin burn without apparent reasons – the patients does not remember why they are burned).

Warn metal scrap buyers.

Call [hotline number] when having useful information.

More information shall be provided as soon as possible. [Details about the time when new report or update is provided]. Next report shall be provided at [location and time].

Contact the person below for more information:

Full name (of the person in charge of contacting the press):

Workplace:

Phone number:

Cell phone:

...

...

...

3. Situations in which radioactive sources are found in public

Date:

Time:

Number of report:

 [Name of organization] certifies the dangerous radioactive materials are discovered at [time]. According to the information provided, they are discovered at [location and time]. The report shows that [certified information about consequences] and actions [description of initial actions] has been take to protect [the public or appropriate organizations and individuals] The current emergency plan has been launched [and the communication center is activated].

Follow the recommendations below to ensure safety:

- The people near the place where the materials are found within [specify the period of time] and/or near the materials while they are carried and transported must contact [name of relevant agency] to undergo examination and receive notification.

The medical personnel must be warned about the patients showing symptom of exposure (skin burn without apparent reasons – the patients does not remember why they are burned).

Call [hotline number] when having useful information.

...

...

...

Contact the person below for more information:

Full name (of the person in charge of contacting the press):

Workplace:

Phone number:

Cell phone:

Email:                                                               Website:

III. SOME INSTRUCTIONS ON KEEPING THE PUBLIC SAFE WHEN AN EMERGENCY OCCURS

1. Evacuate everyone from the site to at least 30 m from the perimeter.

2. No one is allowed to enter the perimeter.

...

...

...

4. Request everyone not to smoke and eat around the security perimeter.

5. Request everyone to cooperate with the police to maintain the security and facilitate the emergency response.

6. Request non-authorized people to leave the site in order to avoid contamination impacts (if any).

7. Gather and list the people concerned about their health or relevant persons (personnel of the facility and adjacent facilities, accidentally involved citizens, etc.) to prevent disorder and wait for specific information. 8. Everyone must follow information and comply with official instructions on the mass media of the local governments and responders.

IV. RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT THE SAFETY PERIMETER IN A RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY

Situation

Initial inner cordoned area (radius of safety perimeter)

Initial determination - Outside

Unshielded or damaged potentially dangerous sources

...

...

...

Major spill from a potentially dangerous source

100m

Fire, explosion or fumes involving a potentially dangerous source

300m

Suspected bomb, exploded or unexploded

400m or more to protect against an explosion

Initial determination – Inside a building

Unshielded, damaged, or spilled potentially dangerous sources

Affected and adjacent areas, (including floors above and below)

...

...

...

The entire building and appropriate outside distance as indicated above

Expansion of perimeter based on radiological monitoring

Ambient dose rate of 100 µSv/h

Wherever these levels are measured

Thông tư 24/2012/TT-BKHCN hướng dẫn và phê duyệt kế hoạch ứng phó sự cố bức xạ, hạt nhân cấp cơ sở và tỉnh do Bộ trưởng Bộ Khoa học và Công nghệ ban hành