Implementation of a Nuclear Criticality Safety Program at AECL

Abstract

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) operates two major licensed sites, Chalk River Laboratories (CRL) and Whiteshell Laboratories (WL), where for several decades a number of diverse activities involving fissile materials have been carried out in support of research and development, commercial activities and to produce medical radioisotopes. AECL established controls to ensure that these activities were carried out safely. Recently, specific Nuclear Criticality Safety conditions were included in the CRL and WL site licences. These conditions include a requirement to develop and implement a Nuclear Criticality Safety Program that meets various requirements set by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.