Paper 28. Reduction in occupational radiation exposure on the Calder Hall and Chapelcross reactors

The Calder Hall and Chapelcross Nuclear Reactors were designed and built 30-40 years ago when the constraints on occupational radiation exposure were much less restrictive than they are today. The level of occupational exposure associated with operating these reactors is reviewed against the downward trend in dose limits, with particular emphasis on future policy as these reactors continue to operate towards the 21st century.

1. In January 1951, now 40 years ago, a UK project team was established to determine the feasibility of building a nuclear power station of sufficient size to deliver electricity to the national grid on a commercial basis. Two years later the decision was made to build the first Calder Hall reactor on what is now the Sellafield Site in Cumbria. A further 34 years later, in October 1956, this reactor became the first operating nuclear power station of industrial size in the world.