Wolsong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 holds hazardous chemical spill drill

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power's Wolsong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 conducted an emergency response drill on June 25 to strengthen its capacity for swift, systematic action in the event of a hazardous chemical spill on site.

The hands-on drill, designed in line with the plant's safety-first management policy, simulated a scenario in which a container of methanesulfonic acid — a hazardous chemical — ruptures due to rising internal pressure during the replacement of analytical equipment parts in a chemical laboratory, spraying the substance onto a worker's face and neck.

Participants worked through response procedures step by step, practicing chemical containment and casualty response, filing an external report and carrying out initial countermeasures within 15 minutes, and putting on and removing personal protective equipment.

Wolsong conducts emergency response drills twice a year at each of its units in accordance with ISO 14001 environmental management system standards and internal regulations.

Plant director Kim Jong-sun said any shortcomings identified during the drill would be reflected immediately in future training, and that the plant would continue to improve drill effectiveness through analysis of various accident cases and the development of new scenarios.