A team of United Nations' nuclear watchdog IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) on Monday started a safety review of Rawatbhata atomic power station in Rajasthan.

The 12-member team is carrying out an in-depth safety inspection of activities and programs essential to plant operation based on standards set by the IAEA. The team of experts will also carry out a through investigation of the condition of equipment.

The ongoing operational safety review team (OSART) mission is the first in the country that is being carried out at the request of the union government.

Earlier this year, more than three dozens of workers were exposed to radiation in two separate leaks. The first accident took place on 23rd of June, in which 38 workers were exposed to radiation.

The second incident took place in July, in which another four maintenance employees were exposed to tritium radiation when they were conducting repair of a faulty seal on a pipe in the atomic plant.

Environmental watchdogs often raise concerns about safety of atomic plants in India, where industrial accidents because of negligence and poor maintenance are not extraordinary.

The Rawatbhata atomic power station is comprised of eight units, of which two units of 700 MW are under construction. Currently, the plant has a power generation capacity of 1,140 MW.

The inspection will last until 15th of November.