ONLY ON THE BLOG: Answering today’s five OFF-SET questions is Margaret Harding, president of 4 Factor Consulting, LLC.

With almost 30 years of experience in the nuclear industry, she was Vice President of Engineering Quality for GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy. She earned a BS in Nuclear Engineering from Iowa State. Harding served on the Technical Advisory Board for WizNucleus, a start-up IT company providing cyber-security and other IT services to the nuclear industry.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said that radiations levels at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant had increased to “levels that can impact human health.” As you follow the story, what are your main concerns about these nuclear plants in the most devastated areas?

The continuing integrity of the vessel and the containment, as well as, of course, the health and safety of my dedicated colleagues in the Japanese nuclear industry working around the clock to protect their fellow citizens and of Japan’s electric sources.

How well do you know the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant? Are workers routinely rehearsed for this kind of disaster?

I’ve never been to the Fukushima Daiichi plant. And while I’m not personally familiar with Japanese safety drills, I can tell you that everyone involved in nuclear science and technology is committed to a culture of safety. For example, in the United States, operators routinely and frequently participate in training to keep their emergency response skills sharp. FULL POST