| The perfectly safe nuclear
installation, Dounreay, received another vote of confidence this week on being given a
clean bill of health from the Health and Safety Executive. The report,
focussing on non-nuclear operational matters, paints a glowing picture of life at the
glowing power station. The audit found that staff consistently resisted the urge to run
while holding scissors, eschewed drinking scalding hot coffee and ensured that corridor
floors were swept clean of tin tacks and other sharp objects.
A spokesisotope for the nuclear industry told the JT: "This report confirms
what we've always asserted: the non-radioactive parts of our operation are in tip top
condition and the reactor bit is probably OK as well although we haven't looked at it too
closely obviously..." |
This novel safety audit technique,
assessing (ahem) non-core activities may well be extended to other commercial fields, with
aeroplane safety for example being audited on the basis of how clean the interior of the
plane is and the promptness of meal service. The Edinburgh based Health
and Safety Executive could not confirm to the JT that a nuclear meltdown was not likely to
happen any time soon.
Agency head Professor Beaker explained: "Auditing
procedures relating to the reactor itself would have involved our staff in actually making
a site visit and none of us are that stupid." |
