The track record of safety and security in the nuclear industry is excellent

The nuclear industry has an excellent safety record - in terms of both public and worker safety. Many studies have shown that death and injury rates associated with the nuclear industry are significantly lower than those for other alternatives. In the UK there has never been a major accident at a civil nuclear power station.

All modern nuclear plants incorporate a series of highly reliable safety systems and design features, which together provide defence in depth. These are able to maintain safety even after extreme events such as an earthquake or other accident.

New reactor designs have improved advanced safety features which make the possibility of any kind of accident even more remote. The Science and new technology section (see menu on the left) provides more details and links.

Independent studies show that nuclear energy has amongst the lowest environmental impacts of energy sources. The nuclear industry is responsible for less than a thousandth of the radiation that we are all exposed to in our daily lives. In fact, most of our radiation exposure comes from natural sources such as the ground beneath us.

Many of the same features which make reactor safety so high also serve to protect a reactor from any possible physical threat, such as an aircraft or other impact. Several studies have shown that modern reactors are robust enough to withstand such attacks. Furthermore the aircraft industry and its regulators have taken extensive measures to reduce the possibility of hi-jack. Government agencies have response and contingency plans in place to deal with this.

We should also remember that reactor buildings are relatively small and low in height in comparison to other high-profile targets. Experienced pilots report that precision flying at full speed in a commercial aircraft at such low altitude is very difficult, which further reduces the chance of a successful attack on such a plant.

Finally - nuclear facilities are monitored by a number of domestic and international bodies who enforce a full range of rigorous security and safeguards arrangements. Together with the other factors discussed above, this ensures that any kind of security risks are kept to a minimum.

IAEA - Safety and security

Health and Safety Executive

Nuclear Energy Institute

Nuclear Energy Agency - nuclear safety and regulation

World Nuclear Association information briefs