What to do in the event of an emergency at AWE

The Radiation Emergency Preparedness and Public Information Regulations 2001

(REPPIR) require local authorities to prepare a detailed off-site emergency plan for use in the event of a radiation emergency. REPPIR establishes a framework of emergency planning and preparation to ensure that members of the public are properly informed and prepared, in advance, about what to do in the unlikely event of a radiation emergency occurring, and provided with information if a radiation emergency actually occurs.

Following a redetermination of the Emergency Planning Areas (EPAs) surrounding the AWE sites at Aldermaston and Burghfield by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), a new REPPIR leaflet has been produced.

AWE plc is the company that is licensed to operate AWE sites at Aldermaston and Burghfield on behalf of the Ministry of Defence. AWE is responsible for maintaining the United Kingdom’s nuclear warhead stockpile and providing expertise to UK Government agencies and departments for National Nuclear Security. This involves research, design, manufacture, and in-services support and decommissioning of warheads.  Both the Aldermaston and Burghfield sites are large industrial complexes. In addition to materials normally used in industry, we also handle high explosives and radioactive substances, under carefully controlled conditions.

 AWE has rigorous emergency response procedures in place. It regularly exercises these emergency procedures both internally and with the emergency services and other responders including local authorities, emergency services and regulators.