International conference at Sellafield

Last updated 11:48, Thursday, 21 August 2008

A GROUP of the most eminent experts in highly radioactive work from around the world are flying in to Cumbria for a two-day conference at Sellafield.

The conference will be held at the newly-created National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL).

More than 50 delegates are expected from around Europe, the US, Japan and South Africa for the event – being staged on September 22 and 23 – which also includes a tour of the world-class facilities at the new NNL.

The Hot Cells area of the NNL are recognised as being among the most advanced in the world.

The collaboration between the various countries involved is aimed at sustaining the growing high quality of skills in this area of the industry.

The group aims to exchange experience on analytical methods, share know-how on issues such as remote handling techniques, safety features, waste handling and quality matters, transport, licensing and discuss present and future demands of the industry.

The major conference is being hosted in the UK for the fifth time since the Hot Labs Working Group was originally set up in 1963.