Organization of the Warning of the Population about Nuclear Accidents in Belarus

According to the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On Radiation Safety of the Population" of the 5th of January 1998 (article 1), a nuclear accident is defined as "a loss of the control over a source of ionizing radiation, caused by the malfunction or failure of equipment, improper work of the workers (personnel), emergencies, or other reasons that could result or resulted in human exposure to radiation or radioactive contamination of the environment above the standards".

Efficient and timely informing of the population about nuclear accidents and means of the protection from their consequences is required by the Laws of the Republic of Belarus "On Radiation Safety of the Population" of the 5th January 1998, and "On Protection of the Population and Territories from the Emergencies of Natural or Technogenic Origin" of the 5th May 1998. The public is warned through the National System on Prevention of and Actions in Case of the Accidents, namely by the Civil Defense Headquarters and its local bodies (Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus of 24 February 1993, ?95, Appendix 1).

The main means of warning the population about an accident and measures needed within the conditions of the given accident is radio and TV broadcasting of the information. In order to attract the attention of the population, sirens and other alarm devices are switched on. Sirens, buzzers and discontinuous hooters of enterprises and transport mean the Civil Defense signal "Attention to all!" After this signal it is necessary to turn on the radio or TV immediately and listen to the information of the Civil Defense Headquarters. In case of an accident at the nuclear power plants the information can be the following:

Attention! The Civil Defense Headquarters of the (settlement / administrative-territorial unit) is speaking.

Citizens! An accident happened at the nuclear power plant.

Radioactive fallout is expected in the neighborhood of the plant and in the following settlements (list of settlements). The population of these settlements must stay in their houses, and take iodine preparation (in case if the fallout of the radioactive iodine isotopes is expected). Later on you must follow the instructions of the Civil Defense Headquarters.

The information is communicated several times. Recommendations on the behavior in case of the nuclear accident can, in some specific aspects, differ from the given example. The decision about the evacuation of the population and information about the procedure of this evacuation is also communicated through the radio and TV. During all the time of the elimination of the consequences of the accident it is necessary to keep the radio/TV on. Local relaying stations of the settlements, enterprises and institutions are shifted to round-the-clock operation.

In additional to the total warning system, local systems of warning of the population about accidents exist at the objects where potential radiation hazard exists, including nuclear power plants. Immediacy is the main advantage of these systems. The warning procedure is the same as described above: in the emergency the duty operator (shift engineer) makes a decision and immediately gives the signal "Attention to all!" by turning on the sirens of the object and the closest housing estate. After this, the verbal information is given, which explains the rules of behavior in the situation.

The population is informed about the means of warning in case of the accidents (not only nuclear accidents) and about the rules of behavior in case of the accidents and measures for reducing risk and damage to health through the schools and other educational institutions (special lectures and trainings). Such information is also presented in posters and leaflets distributed by the Civil Defense Headquarters, and in special literature, or can be provided by other means (for example, by request).

Last updated: March 2001         Please make comments & report problems to the Webmaster