Decommissioning of Nuclear Plants

Decommissioning is the process by which a nuclear facility, which is no longer in use and thus has ceased to operate, is completely taken out of service. This includes the partial or complete dismantling of the structure and the facilities that are housed in it. The task may also include several other activities such as decontaminating the entire structure and the remedial treatment necessary for the restoration of the land. The task of decommissioning needs to be carried out after exercising sufficient care as its may pose the threat of a potential hazard. Apart from activities such as research and development and installation of nuclear plants, nuclear careers also revolve around decommissioning activities.

Decommissioning of nuclear plants should be completed as soon as possible, but only after taking into account all the factors. However, even the Government acknowledges the fact that the operations may take as long as a couple of decades as it is necessary to undertake all the precautionary measures before going ahead with the project. Though the staff required for such a profile is usually chosen from amongst an experienced lot, you can apply for such onshore jobs through a recruitment agency.

Often specific operations are delayed in order to benefit from the emerging technologies. Each of the nuclear plant operators is supposed to maintain a decommissioning plan and strategy for the different sites. The strategy should comprise a comprehensive plan for site decommissioning. The strategy should ideally incorporate multiple factors such as:

  • Ensuring public and worker safety and security
  • Ensure maintenance of site stewardship
  • Consultation with stakeholder and public groups about the options that are considered appropriate for devising such a strategy
  • Maintenance of the site security
  • Carry out R&D or research and development activities to formulate best practices or develop the requisite skills
  • Arrange for proper funding
  • Reducing the environmental impact by recycling or reusing the materials that are available for use
  • Implementing best practices when and wherever possible
  • Utilising the resources efficiently and at the same time effectively

Nuclear plant operators need to maintain a database that includes all the records, details pertaining to the management of the nuclear waste and decommissioning operations. It is necessary to build a sort of a knowledge base. It should also include the details pertaining to the recruitment, retention and training of the staff for the sake of the preservation of the data. It is necessary to acquire new skills and build on the existing ones in order to survive in the industry for a longer period. It is necessary to figure out, execute and share the best practices and make appropriate financial arrangements.

The nuclear industry is a sector that calls for the recruitment of the best in the business and therefore t is necessary to possess the requisite qualifications and skills when it comes to applying for nuclear jobs. You can apply for the job through a recruitment agency. As you gather experience over the years, you can expect to attain a senior position, probably a managerial level position.

Author Bio: Steven Hayes has been working in the UK as a recruitment consultant. So far, the scope of nuclear careers had been considered to be limited to scientists and researchers. His articles, however, shed light on the different aspects of such a career.

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