Outstanding safety performance highlighted in MNR annual report

Safety is critical to maintaining effective operations at McMaster’s nuclear research facilities and to ensuring the health and well-being of our campus community. The University is home to a suite of world-class nuclear research facilities, including the McMaster Nuclear Reactor (MNR) – a multi-purpose research reactor that provides neutrons for medical isotope production and scientific research.

Each year, the McMaster Nuclear Reactor publishes a report outlining the facility’s operational and safety performance. The 2022 report showcases MNR’s exceptional culture of safety and continued success in supporting the needs of researchers and providing life-saving medical isotopes to patients globally.

Josip Zic, Director of Health Physics, says MNR’s excellence in radiation safety can be attributed to the University’s expert Health Physics, operations and reactor staff, as well as the continued diligence of the researchers, faculty and students who regularly use McMaster’s nuclear research facilities.

“The Health Physics team works closely with Nuclear Operations and Facilities to ensure we meet the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission’s high standards of safety for nuclear facilities. This report highlights McMaster’s continued commitment to radiological protection, which enables researchers to use our facilities and conduct their important work effectively and safely,” says Zic.

McMaster’s Health Physics department ensures the radiological safety and training of those who work with nuclear substances and radiation devices in the McMaster community. There are over 1,200 faculty, staff and students registered with McMaster’s radiation safety program at any given time, ranging from nuclear reactor operators to undergraduate laboratory users.

Zic says that many of the University’s radiation safety programs are designed to ensure safety beyond the requirements put forth by Canada’s nuclear regulator, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. The Health Physics department typically sets dose limits that are far lower than what is required to provide as much safety for McMaster staff and the local community as possible.

In 2022, over 300,000 radiation measurements were performed and assessed by Health Physics staff in university facilities and labs. Measurements are performed in the field and in Health Physics’ highly specialized counting lab.

Director of Reactor Operations and Maintenance, Derek Cappon and Reactor Manager, Robert Pasuta, say safety is a shared responsibility amongst the facility managers, staff, users and Health Physics department.

“MNR’s excellence in safety performance is a product of the partnership between our operations, health physics and research communities. I applaud their outstanding work and thank Heath Physics for their expert advice and support,” says Cappon.

McMaster also has two independent committees that contribute to the University’s strong nuclear safety infrastructure and drive continued success. The Health Physics Advisory Committee (HPAC) – reporting to the President – oversees the use of radioactive materials on campus, and the Nuclear Facilities Control Committee (NFCC) – reporting to the Vice-President, Research – is an internal oversight body responsible for the safe and compliant operation of the nuclear reactor as well as the Class II nuclear facilities on the McMaster campus.

Dave Tucker, McMaster’s assistant vice-president, research (nuclear) says McMaster has a long track record of excellent safety performance at its nuclear research facilities.

“McMaster’s nuclear operations team, research community and Health Physics team continue to demonstrate excellence in radiation safety. The McMaster Nuclear Reactor had an outstanding year in 2022 – from expanding our medical isotope production to supporting cutting-edge research in clean energy technologies, like small modular reactors. None of that would be possible without prioritizing the health and safety of those who visit and work at our facilities,” says Tucker.

Over 1800 visitors toured the McMaster Nuclear Reactor in 2022. Reactor staff and visitors wear dosimetry devices that track their exposure to radiation when inside the reactor containment building. Before leaving the facility, visitors and staff go through contamination monitors to ensure they have had no contact with radioactive material. These measures, says Tucker, ensure that visitors can safely tour the reactor up-close and even get a view of the reactor core’s ‘blue glow.’

“McMaster is Canada’s Nuclear University and a leader in nuclear research and innovation. We are glad to welcome local, national and international visitors on tours of our reactor to see first-hand how the technology is used by our researchers to advance health and medicine, scientific knowledge and clean energy research in Canada and around the world,” says Tucker.