Dec 30 2013
The Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant has been selected to receive the prestigious 2013 Information Systems on Occupational Exposure (ISOE) World-Class ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) Performance Award.
"This award represents an affirmation by our industry peers of the dedication to radiological safety by the work force at Farley," said Southern Nuclear President and CEO Steve Kuczynski. "This accomplishment is a direct result of the engagement by the radiation workers supporting the plant during refueling outages and during power generation."
The ISOE system was created in 1992 to provide a means for radiation protection professionals from around the world to share ways to optimize radiological protection services at nuclear power plants like Plant Farley. By sharing operating experience and best practices, every nuclear power plant becomes a safer environment in which its employees can work.
At Plant Farley, employees utilized the information they gathered to effect significant improvements in radiological safety. For example, the Dose Savers Program was used as an incentive during refueling outages and other major projects to keep workers focused on low collective radiation exposure for everyone involved.
"There was strong competition for this year's award," said Plant Farley Site Vice President Cheryl Gayheart. "Many plants submitted comprehensive applications for consideration by the judging panel. The criteria for the award includes dose reduction achievement over multiple years, management support of the ALARA program and information sharing through benchmarking, peer evaluations and use of the ISOE program. This year, thanks to our commitment to work ALARA, the Farley team rose to the top."
ISOE is jointly sponsored by the Nuclear Energy Agency and the International Atomic Energy Agency. ISOE participation includes members from 58 utilities in 27 countries and involves 437 reactor units.