 NSnet 43rd Peer Review of Mitsubishi Nuclear Fuel Co., Ltd, conducted over three days period starting January 12th, was implemented. A summary of the review is shown below.
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1. Reviewed Establishment (Location) |
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Mitsubishi Nuclear Fuel Co., Ltd, located in Tokaimura, Naka-gun, Ibaraki Prefecture |
2. Overview of the establishment and targets of review |
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Mitsubishi Group started R&D for nuclear power around 1954 and established Mitsubishi Nuclear Fuel Co., Ltd., an integrated manufacturer that produces fuel for pressurized light water reactors, after merging Mitsubishi Metal Co., Ltd. (currently Mitsubishi Material Co., Ltd.) with Mitsubishi Nuclear Industries Co., Ltd. (currently Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.) in December 1971. Since then , Mitsubishi Nuclear Fuel has continued to produce fuel assemblies as final products after many fabrication processes beginning with re-conversion of low enriched uranium hexafluoride, and deliver them to nuclear power stations of Kansai Electric Power, Kyushu Electric Power, Shikoku Electric Power, Japan Atomic Power Company and Hokkaido Electric Power. |
3. Members of the review team and the method of review
Group A
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Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc. Nuclear Fuel Transport Co., Ltd.
(Fields of review: organization/operation and radiation protection) |
| Group B |
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Hokuriku Electric Power Company, NSnet
(Fields of review: education/training, operations/maintenance and specific evaluation items) |
| 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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Mitsubishi Nuclear Fuel Co., Ltd, |
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 Mitsubishi Nuclear Fuel Co., Ltd, 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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The company gives top priority to nuclear safety in its corporate policy and basing on it a wide variety of safety activities are performed. In addition, it creates workplace environment ensuring safety together with its affiliated companies. Furthermore, it is promoting compliance through compliance consulting services or compliance education included in regular safety education. |
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In the future, it is desired that Mitsubishi Nuclear Fuel Co., Ltd, 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 Mitsubishi Nuclear Fuel Co., Ltd, that were the focus of the Peer Review. |
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a. Good Practices
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Fields of review |
Summary of good practices |
Organization/
Administration |
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Conducting, together with affiliated companies, regular safety education, moral education and improvement proposal system, accordingly creating a sense of unity among employee of MNF and them. |
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Education/training |
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Continuous improvement of education and training issues |
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Specific evaluation items |
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Specific evaluation items･Implementing diversified and effective activities to prevent human errors by utilizing identified cases of deficiency |
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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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Improvement of moral education method |
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Education / Training |
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Ensuring to include the education of "Ethics and Compliance" into the company-wide education system |
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Operations / maintenance |
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Improving a method for conveying technological knowledge selected through "Know Why Campaign" to younger generation |
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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 Mitsubishi Nuclear Fuel Co., Ltd, 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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