 NSnet 45th Peer Review of Nuclear Development Corporation conducted over three days period starting March 4th, was completed. A summary of the review is shown below. |
1. Reviewed Establishment (Location) |
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Nuclear Development Corporation. Located in Tokaimura, Naka-gun, Ibaraki Prefecture |
2. Overview of the establishment and targets of review |
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Nuclear Development Corporation (hereafter referred as to “NDC”) was established in April 1990 as a company that is dedicated to research and development for the fields of nuclear fuel, reactor materials and nuclear fuel cycle, taking over operations of Tokai Laboratory, Takasago R&D Center, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Tokai Technical Institute , Mitsubishi Atomic Power Industries,Inc (current Mitsubishi Heavy Industries,) respectively. In April 1998, NDC received all operations of Nuclear Application Technology Department, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (operations related to treatment and disposal of nuclear waste,) and is now conducting these operations.
NDC conducts various tests and studies and demonstration research for improvement of safety/reliability and performance in the fields of nuclear fuel, reactor components, chemistries and radiation used in nuclear power plants and nuclear-related facilities. It is intended to accumulate nuclear inherent technologies and apply the obtained results to new fields. |
3. Members of the review team, and the method of review
Group A
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Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry. Hitachi Zosen Diesel & Engineering Co., Ltd.
(Fields of review: organization/operation and radiation protection) |
| Group B |
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Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd. NSnet)
(Fields of review: education/training, operations/maintenance, work control 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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Nuclear Development Corporation |
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 NDC, 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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NDC established its corporate policy, a staff conduct guideline, a compliance guideline and an environmental policy, and clearly stated that “a top priority is given to ensuring nuclear safety.” It was confirmed that NDC implemented wide and active safety activities based on these policies and guidelines. |
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In the future, it is desired that NDC 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 NDC 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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Active approach to improvement of compliance |
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Education/Training |
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Activities for computerizing data on inherited technologies (e-transmission activities) with an aim of communication of technological information |
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Instructor's evaluation on OJT education for staff of cooperation companies and feed back for future educational efforts |
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Operation/Maintenance
and Work Control |
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Effective improvement of “Preliminary Safety Inspection Activity ( Design KYK*3/ Operation KYK)” and enhancement of the activity |
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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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Intensified awards program from a standpoint of safety priority |
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Education / Training |
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Organized educational system and approach to skill development |
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Operation/Maintenance
and Work Control |
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Improved records of the results of correcting the “Preliminary Safety Inspection Activity (Design KYK/ Operation KYK)” |
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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 Global Nuclear Fuel-Japan 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.
Therefore, even if the present activity is beyond the general standard of a nuclear-power-industry community, it may take up as an object of an improvement proposal.
*3KYK
Hazard Prediction
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