November 22, 2012 – The best radiation supervisor was defined at Novovoronezh NPP. 19 workers of RSD took part in the contest of professional skills, they were: on-duty radiation supervisors and radiation survey system operators.
“The contest not only allows estimating the level of training objectively, but also gives the opportunity to grow and develop in the profession,” noted Alexander Mamatov, RSD Chief, in his opening speech.



The competitive tests included two stages. In the first stage or qualifying round, answering questions, workers had to show theoretical knowledge of fundamentals of dosimetry and standards and sanitary regulations of radiation safety.
In the second round, which included 8 winners of the qualifying round, the participants had to perform practical tasks in searching of ionizing radiation source (IRS) in the premises. At that, it was not enough to find IRS within the limited period of time, they also had to make a cartogram. At this stage, the jury also estimated the proper application of personal protective equipment by contestants.

The winner was Dmitry Firsov, who scored 228 points; he will represent our enterprise at the contest of Rosenergoatom Concern next year.

“I seriously prepared myself for the contest studying the necessary literature. Unfortunately, I did not manage to do my best in everything, but in general, I’m certainly pleased with the result,” told the winner, who had been working at NVO NPP just for one year.

The second prize was won by Anton Berkov (202 points), and the third was Dmitry Chernykh with 177 points.
It should be noted that the contest is also a good opportunity of the career development of young professionals. For example, the winner of two previous contests of radiation supervisors of NVO NPP in 2006 and 2009, Vyacheslav Melnichuk, has recently been appointed as RSD Shift Chief.

Novovoronezh NPP has been an initiator and organizer of the professional skills contest among young nuclear engineers since the beginning of 1970s of XX century. Eventually, the plant-level contests grew into the All-Soviet Union ones.

Novovoronezh NPP is a branch of Rosenergoatom Concern OJSC. The plant is situated on the bank of the Don river at 42 km south of Voronezh. It is the first NPP in Russia, which operates reactors of VVER-type (Vessel type Pressurized Water Reactor with light water under pressure).

 Each of the five plant reactors are prime – a prototype of serial power reactors: No.1 power unit operates on VVER-210-type reactor, No.2 power unit – VVER-365, No.3,4 power units – VVER-440, No.5 power unit – VVER-1000.
Currently, the plant operates three power units (Units 1 and 2 were stopped in 1984 and 1990, respectively).

On line detailed data on the radiation environment near nuclear power plants in Russia and other nuclear facilities are provided on website www.russianatom.ru