IMPROVING NUCLEAR POWER PLANT SAFETY THROUGH SELF-ASSESSMENT AND PEER REVIEW PROGRAMMES

摘要

The performance of the worldwide commercial nuclear power industry continues to improve over time. With a business environment that is increasingly competitive and constantly changing, yersterday's best plant performance is no longer good enough. To ensure the highest levels of plant safety and reliability, plants must adopt and carry out an effective self-assessment programme that examines in detail plant functions, processes and relationships. A successful self-assessment programme is one that is conducted by plant line-management with openness, high standards, clear accountability and a sincere desire to improve plant operation. Peer reviews can play a key role in the self-assessment process. Co-ordinated by the World Association of Nuclear Operators, a peer review brings a team of experts from up to ten countries to a plant for a two-week review of plant operations. The goal is to identify areas where the plant performs well and also to offer suggestions for improvement. This exchange of ideas and information provides a unique opportunity to capitalize on the experiences and insights of the worldwide nuclear community and at the same time to keep plant management attuned to the improvements in industry performance.