CHILW meaning

CHilw (Contact-Handled Intermediate Level Waste) describes intermediate level radioactive waste which, when packaged, has an external dose rate low enough for workers to handle it directly using standard radiological protection measures, without remote manipulators, hot cells or other remote handling equipment. It is a descriptive operational term used in nuclear decommissioning and radioactive waste management, rather than a statutory definition, and is commonly contrasted with Remote-Handled ILW (RHILW). There is no single legal dose-rate threshold for CHILW. Whether contact handling is acceptable is determined in the operator’s safety case and risk assessments, applying ALARP principles, and is embedded in site procedures, packaging specifications, shielding assumptions and facility design. Classifying waste as CHILW has practical significance for waste routing, conditioning, storage, transport packaging, worker dose management and project cost. Usage is broadly consistent across England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Oversight typically involves the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and the relevant environmental regulator (Environment Agency, SEPA, Natural Resources Wales or the Northern Ireland Environment Agency). In Ireland, the Environmental Protection Agency regulates radioactive waste management; CHILW is used descriptively for wastes whose dose rates allow hands-on handling in compliance with applicable ionising radiation protection requirements.