Reactor operator
The control room of San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station c. 1968. | |
| Occupation | |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | Nuclear reactor operator, RO |
Occupation type | Profession/military |
Activity sectors | Military/power/science |
| Description | |
| Competencies | Neutronics, regulatory compliance, maintenance, emergency response |
Education required | Varies |
Fields of employment | Nuclear industry, nuclear navy |
A reactor operator (or nuclear reactor operator) is an individual at a nuclear power plant or other nuclear reactor who is responsible for directly controlling the reactor core. This is typically done using control rods, aided by information from other instruments, such as neutron detectors, thermometers, and radiation detectors.
In addition to controlling the reactor core, the responsibilities of reactor operators may include control of other important reactor equipment, logging and recording of reactor activities, monitoring of reactor parameters, response to adverse or unexpected reactor conditions, maintenance and care of equipment, and emergency preparedness and response. As they are responsible for manipulation of the control rods, reactor operators are the only individuals at a reactor who can significantly alter amounts of core reactivity.
All reactor operators are required to be licensed or qualified by their respective governing body (for example, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for U.S. civilian nuclear reactors and Naval Reactors for U.S. naval reactors). Because of the risk of catastrophic consequences from incidents in reactor cores, reactor operators are often subject to stringent mental and physical health requirements.