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Fears for safety as nuclear watchdog hires staff from firms pitching to build reactors

Fears for safety as nuclear watchdog hires staff from firms pitching to build reactors The Guardian Tim Webb 26 June 2009

The Nuclear Installations Inspectorate is recruiting more than a dozen project managers to speed up its review of new reactor designs – even though they work for the companies hoping to build them.

The Guardian has learnt that the government has approached companies including the US groups Bechtel and CH2M Hill, as well as the UK’s Amec, to fill the senior posts. The companies involved are eager to secure lucrative contracts to help build the UK’s first new reactors for decades.

Government and industry sources admitted the secondments posed potential conflict of interest problems.

It is also understood that the inspectorate has recruited technical staff from Areva,…………………………There are concerns that the potential conflicts of interest could compromise the safety of the new nuclear reactors if the companies helping the inspectorate have a vested interest in approving their design.

Fears for safety as nuclear watchdog hires staff from firms pitching to build reactors | Environment | The Guardian

June 26, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | secrets,lies and civil liberties, UK | antinuclear, AREVA, nuclear, radiation, radioactive