OSC controller

Once the OSC has been declared fully operational the OSC controller would have the following respon­sibilities:

• The overall direction of off-site radiation moni­toring.

• Advice to the police and local authorities on any actions necessary for the safety and welfare of the public.

• Liaison between the site emergency controller and all outside organisations providing advice and as­sistance.

• Liaison with the Department of Energy nuclear emergency briefing room.

• Liaison with the Nil emergency centre.

• Liaison with CEGB headquarters via the nuclear emergency information centre.

• Liaison with, and advice to, the representatives of central and local government departments and agencies present at the OSC.

• The dissemination of information to the public and the news media via the press briefing centre.

The CEGB Health and Safety Department representatives

The Director of Health and Safety, together with the Principal Health Physicist and Principal Inspector would be available to advise the OSC controller on all aspects of nuclear safety with particular reference

to:

• Health physics aspects of the emergency with par­ticular reference to the coordination of actions ne­cessary for the protection of the public and for the assessment of population dose.

• Licence requirements.

• Emergency plant operation.

The Director of Health and Safety would also assist with the preparation of press statements and with media briefing.

Government technical adviser (GTA)

When appointed by the Department of Energy, the responsibilities of the GTA (see Section 6.3.3 of this chapter) would include:

• Briefing government officials at the OSC and in London on the course of the accident.

• Liaison with the OSC controller and representatives of all local and central government departments and agencies at the OSC.

• Advice to the police and local authorities.

• Acting as principal government spokesman at press conferences and media briefings.

• Giving the ‘all clear’ for people to return home.