Kärnansvarig

Kärnansvarig, literally meaning “core responsible,” is a Swedish term used in the nuclear industry to designate the person with the formal responsibility for the safety and regulatory compliance of nuclear core operations at a licensed facility. The designation reflects the principle that the core—where nuclear material resides and reactions occur—requires designated accountability for safety, quality, and operational integrity.

The kärnansvarig has overarching duties related to the safe operation of the core. Typical responsibilities include ensuring adherence to safety analyses and licensing conditions, maintaining core integrity and proper fueling and shutdown procedures, overseeing radiation protection and radiological controls, and supervising staff involved in core-related activities. The role also entails incident reporting, implementation of corrective actions, and maintaining appropriate training and competence among personnel. Coordination with the licensing authority and external inspectors is a key ongoing task, as is sustaining an effective safety culture within the facility.

Legal and organizational framework: the position is defined within Sweden’s nuclear and radiation safety regulations, administered by the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (Strålsäkerhetsmyndigheten, SSM). The exact scope of duties and the lines of responsibility are set out in applicable laws, regulations, and the facility’s license conditions, and may vary between reactors, research facilities, and other installations containing nuclear material. The kärnansvarig is typically appointed by the facility’s management and documented in the safety organization.

Note: the term is specific to Swedish regulatory practice and may be translated in different contexts as “core supervisor” or “nuclear accountableresponsible,” depending on regulatory interpretation.