ID checks for nuclear workers?

December 6, 2014

NRA draft plan to require ID checks for nuclear plant workers

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/fukushima/AJ201412060042

THE ASAHI SHIMBUN

A preliminary anti-terrorism plan to create a system that requires identity checks for people accessing nuclear power plants has been approved by a Nuclear Regulation Authority draft committee.

The working committee for the NRA agreed to the plan Dec. 5 in accordance with recommendations made by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The IAEA said countries with nuclear power plants should have systems to identify workers in the plants. Currently, among major countries that produce nuclear power, Japan is the only one that does not have such a system.

The committee will next examine the methods taken by electric utilities for identification based on guidelines stipulated by the NRA. It will then report its recommendations to the regulatory agency in January, after which it will decide on concrete steps that will be taken.

Those committee meetings are closed to the public.

Initially, they considered revising current laws to mandate a system. However, that plan was eventually dropped.

Individuals subject to identification checks at the plants will be those who enter sensitive areas alone and who handle confidential information on radioactive material.

Under the new guidelines, the utilities will be required to allow entry only to workers who consent to background checks. Their identities will also be further confirmed through official documentation, such as driver’s licenses, and interviews.

The working committee is also considering introducing aptitude tests for workers. However, it has yet to be decided on whether it will also check to see if those entering the plants have criminal records or if there are special risk factors, such as being in debt.