Policy Responses to Large Scale Accidents in the Soviet Union *

Abstract

This paper reviews the nature of large scale technological accidents in the Soviet Union, focusing upon the incident at Chernobyl. The potential for further similar scaled accidents in other types of Soviet facilities is considered. Comments are offered on the policy options available for government that would help to minimize the probability of accidents and to maximize the chance that accidents which do occur are managed effectively. Special attention is given to the issue of risk communication in Soviet society.