The National Nuclear Regulator is an independent statutory organisation whose powers are defined in the National Nuclear Regulator Act (Act No 47 of 1999). The primary function of the NNR is to protect workers and members of the public from the harmful effects arising from exposure to ionising radiation. The NNR is responsible for ensuring safe working conditions in the nuclear and related industries The NNR issues nuclear authorisations (e.g. nuclear installations licence, certificate of registration or exemption) which define the conditions under which radioactive materials may be safely handled in the workplace.

Since the formation of the NNR as an independent statutory organisation, it has regulated a wide variety of facilities including nuclear reactors, enrichment facilities, waste repositories, mining and minerals processing operations, scrapyards, metal smelters and numerous users of small quantities of radioactive materials such as universities and laboratories. Presently the NNR is responsible for ensuring safe working conditions for over 300 000 persons exposed to ionising radiation in the above industries during the course of their work.

Rights of the worker and public in terms of the National Nuclear Regulator Act

It was not the intent of the National Nuclear Regulator Act to define the "rights" of workers or the public. However the Act does refer to the following matters: In terms of the following sections of the National Nuclear Regulator Act (Act No 47 of 1999) Sub-sections 21 and 22, applications for certain types of nuclear authorisations must be published in the Government Gazette and local newspapers, and representations on health, safety and environmental issues may be made by members of the public directly affected by the application within 30 days of publication. Sub-section 26(1): Holders of nuclear authorisations must publicly display a copy of the authorisations. Sub-section 26 (4): Holders of nuclear installation licences incorporating emergency plans, must establish a public safety information forum to inform persons living in the municipal area on nuclear safety and radiation safety matters. Subsection 36 (1): The Minister must invite public comment on any proposed regulations regarding safety standards and regulatory practices. Sub-section 39 (1)(2): The NNR is required to keep a record of the particulars, of a nuclear installation and of all acts and activities in respect of which it has granted a nuclear authorisation, together with a map showing the position and limits of the site.

The NNR is required to make the record available for inspection by the public and to give public notice of such arrangements from time to time. However, if in the opinion of the NNR, the risk of nuclear damage is within limits laid down by the NNR for the safeguarding of persons, these particulars may be removed from the public record.

Liability for nuclear damage

The holder of a nuclear installations licence (e.g. Koeberg) is liable for all nuclear damage arising during its period of responsibility. Whereas the liability of a holder of a certificate of registration (e.g. a mine) is determined in accordance with the common law or the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, 1993 (Act No 130 of 1993). (Also refer to questions 21-23).

Examples of natural radiation

Exposure from the sky: About 100,000 cosmic ray neutrons and 400,000 secondary cosmic rays penetrate the average individual every hour. From the air that we breathe: About 30,000 atoms disintegrate each hour in our lungs and give off alpha or beta particles and some gamma rays. From our food & drink: About 15 million potassium-40 atoms and about 7,000 natural uranium atoms disintegrate inside each one of us each hour. From soil & building materials: Over 200 million gamma rays pass through the average individual each hour.