 NSnet Peer Review of O-Arai Engineering Center, Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute, conducted over four-day period starting March 2nd, was completed. A summary of the review is shown below.
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1. Reviewed Establishment (location) |
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O-Arai Engineering Center, Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute, located in oarai-machi, higashi ibaraki-gun, ibaraki.
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2. Overview of the establishment and targets of review |
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The O-Arai Engineering Center was established as the central organization to develop the fast breeder reactor and related nuclear fuel cycle, in 1970.
The experimental fast reactor JOYO attained its initial criticality in April 1977 with the MK-I breeder core, and has been used for research and development since then.
The target of this review is “education and training”, “operation and maintenance”, “radiation protection” and “measures for important safety issues” at JOYO, “organization and management” and “emergency preparedness” at O-Arai Engineering Center.
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3. Members of the review team and the method of review
Group A
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The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc., Global Nuclear Fuel Japan Co., Ltd.
(Fields of review: organization/operation, emergency measures and education/training) |
| Group B |
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Hitachi, Ltd., Nuclear Development Corporation
(Fields of review: operations/maintenance) |
| Group C |
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Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited, NSnet
(Fields of review: radiation protection and handling of important issues) |
| Method of review |
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Field observation, interview with persons involved and examination of documents in the above areas |
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O-Arai Engineering Center, |
Document examination |
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4. Results of this review
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| (1) Main Conclusions |
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In summing up this review of the O-Arai Engineering Center, Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute, we have not found any item in the nuclear safety field that would lead to a serious accident unless immediate remedies were taken. |
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It was confirmed that various efforts to improve nuclear safety were implemented in the O-Arai Engineering Center, such as insured worker safety through risk assessment, detailed follow-up for emergency response, thorough safety measures for the modification works of the MK-II coolant system, reinforcement of criticality safety education materials, and insured correct sodium fire response. |
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The O-Arai Engineering Center has worked actively on awareness-raising as one of the pillars for PNC’s reform. Company-wide efforts for moral improvement were confirmed. Based on the “Action Charter” and action guidelines, the O-Arai Engineering Center manager and all other staff prepared and were later evaluated on their own “annual plan for awareness-raising actions”. |
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In the future, it is desired that the O-Arai Engineering Center should increase its own safety efforts toward enhanced safety culture, without accepting things as they are. |
| (2) Good Practices and Suggestions for Improvement |
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This Peer Review selects good practices that should be widely introduced to other NSnet members and within the nuclear power industry.On the other hand, this Peer Review makes numerous suggestions for improvement that would be useful in improving the safety culture at the O-Arai Engineering Center that were the focus of the Peer Review.
A brief look at Good Practices*¹ and Suggestions for improvement*² follows below. |
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a. Good Practices
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Fields of review |
Summary of good practices |
Organization / Administration |
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Safety improvement through involvement of outside advisory experts |
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Establishment of risk assessment activities |
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Center-wide efforts for awareness-raising based on the “Action Charter” |
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Activities for promoting local communities’ understanding of the O-Arai Engineering Center operations by the female PA team “Sugars” |
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Emergency measures |
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Reinforced training for reporting accidents |
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Improved check sheet for activities of the accident countermeasure headquarters |
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Education / Training |
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Understandable personal education plan in the human resource development system |
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Nuclear safety approach to young generation |
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Creation of legacy of techniques through databasing experiences and know-how |
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Operations / maintenance |
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Additional provision of copies of manuals in a central control room for operators’ comments |
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Preliminary verification of MK-III post-modification operating manuals through an operation training simulator |
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Improved technical level through mutual peer reviews among operating teams concerning operation and manipulation training in a simulator |
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Improvement of operating teams through the section chief’s evaluation of simulator training and communication of information on good and bad results |
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Improvement of operation efficiency through development of the maintenance support system |
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Reinforced collaboration between operation and maintenance divisions through the operating support system |
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Video recording of modification works and promotion of education for young engineers |
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Development of a long-term self-imposed inspection plan based on preventive maintenance |
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Holding of liaison meeting for MK-III coolant system modification works involving engineers in other establishments in JNC and ex-staff of “Joyo” |
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Radiation protection |
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Measures for reducing exposure through introduction of the full size mock-up model |
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Monitoring and viewing of data provided by the remote monitoring system for radiation control information |
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Efficient joint cooperation for waste management with O-Arai Institute, JAERI |
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Handling of important issues |
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Implementation of criticality safety education through easy utilization oriented educational materials |
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Reinforced fire/explosion accident response |
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b. Suggestions for Improvement
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Fields of review |
Summary of Suggestions for Improvement |
Organization / Administration |
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Development of corporate ethics in terms of compliance |
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Effective utilization of the opinion boxes |
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Emergency measures |
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Operations / maintenance |
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Future integration plan of the “Joyo” operation and maintenance support systems |
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Incorporation of long-term safety-based maintenance control standards into the maintenance work instructions |
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Radiation protection |
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Handling of important issues |
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*1 : Good Practices
Information on good practices incorporating appropriate, effective, and unique methods into activities to ensure safety should be widely distributed to the members of the NSnet and the nuclear industry.
*2 : Suggestions for Improvement
After comparing the practices of Tsuruga Power Station with the best in the nuclear industry, suggestions to improve and enhance safety activities should be implemented to achieve the highest level of nuclear safety.
Even if current activities are equal to or higher than general standards in the nuclear industry, suggestion is taken up in case there is still room for improvement.
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