Nuclear activities are carried out with the two-fold aim of preventing accidents, but also of mitigating any consequences should they occur. In accordance with the principles of defence in depth, the necessary steps must therefore be taken to deal with a radiological emergency, no matter how improbable. A “radiological emergency” is understood to mean a situation arising from an incident or accident which is liable to lead to the emission of radioactive material or a level of radioactivity liable to jeopardise public health1. The term “nuclear emergency” applies to events which could lead to a radiological emergency in a basic nuclear installation (BNI) or during transport of radioactive materials.
For activities with a high level of risk, such as BNIs, the emergency arrangements, which can be considered the “ultimate” lines of defence, comprise special organisational arrangements and emergency plans, involving both the licensee and the authorities. This emergency organisation, which is regularly tested and evaluated, is also regularly revised to take account of operating experience feedback from exercises and from management of real situations.
Radiological incidents or accidents can also occur outside BNIs, for example:
- in an establishment carrying out a nuclear activity (hospital, research laboratory, etc.),
- owing to the loss of a radioactive source, or
- by inadvertent or intentional discharge of radioactive substances into the environment.
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Nuclear activities are carried out with the two-fold aim of preventing accidents, but also of mitigating any consequences should they occur. In accordance with the principles of defence in depth, the necessary steps must therefore be taken to deal with a radiological emergency, no matter how improbable. A “radiological emergency” is understood to mean a situation arising from an incident or accident which is liable to lead to the emission of radioactive material or a level of radioactivity liable to jeopardise public health1. 
