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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Exploratory study of the radiation-protection training programs in nuclear power plants

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5296227
The objective of the study was to examine current radiation training programs at a sample of utilities operating nuclear reactors and to evaluate employee information on radiation health. The study addressed three elements: (1) employee perceptions and understanding of ionizing radiation; (2) utility trainers-their background, training, and problems; (3) the content, materials, and conduct of training programs; (4) program uniformity and completeness. These areas were examined through visits to utilities, surveys, and employee interviews. The programs reviewed were developed by utility personnel who have backgrounds, for the most part, in health physics but who may have little formal training in adult education. This orientation, coupled with the inherent nature of the subject, has produced training programs that appear to be too technical to achieve the educational job intended. The average nuclear power plant worker does not have the level of sophistication needed to understand some of the information. It became apparent that nuclear power plant workers have concerns that do not necessarily reflect those of the scientific community. Many of these result from misunderstandings about radiation. Unfortunately, the training programs do not always address these unfounded but very real fears.
Research Organization:
Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (USA)
OSTI ID:
5296227
Report Number(s):
EPRI-EA-2420-SR; ON: DE82905370
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English