 NSnet 46th Peer Review of Nippon Nuclear Fuel Development Co., Ltd. conducted over Three days period starting Apr 6th , was completed. A summary of the review is shown below . |
1. Reviewed Establishment (Location) |
|
Nippon Nuclear Fuel Development Co., Ltd. Located Oarai-Village. Higashi-Ibaraki-gun , Ibaraki Prefecture |
2. Overview of the establishment |
|
In 1972, the Nippon Nuclear Fuel Development Co., Ltd. (NFD) was established as a joint venture between Toshiba Corporation and Hitachi Ltd. for the purpose of researching and developing nuclear fuels. In addition, NFD is conducting research on reactor structural materials for the purpose of plant long term operation. |
3. Members of the review team, and the method of review
Group A
|
: |
Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc. , Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
(Fields of review: Organization/Operation and Radiation protection) |
| Group B |
: |
Japan Atomic Power Company , NSnet
(Fields of review: Education/Training, Operations/Maintenance, Work control and Specific evaluation items) |
| Method of review |
: |
:Field observation, interview with persons involved, examination of documents in the above areas and free discussion. |
|
|
Nippon Nuclear Fuel Development Co., Ltd. |
Field observation |
|
|
4. Results of this review
|
| (1) Main Conclusions |
|
• |
In summing up this review of NFD we have not found any item in the nuclear safety field that would lead to a serious accident unless immediate remedies were taken. |
|
• |
At NFD, their fundamental principle is giving highest priority to safety assurance, and they offer 1) presenting a policy as a top management and the sharing information; 2) constructing rules and standards systematically, and; 3) operating the system effectively, as a specific approach. In addition, it was confirmed that the president at times makes statements about compliance and that activities are being carried out with the highest awareness of nuclear safety. |
|
• |
In the future, it is desired that NFD should increase its own safety efforts toward enhanced safety culture, without accepting things as they are. |
| (2) Good Practices, and Suggestions for Improvement. |
| |
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 NFD that were the focus of the Peer Review. |
A brief look at Good Practices *1 and Suggestions for improvement *2 follows below.
|
a. Good Practices
|
Fields of review |
Summary of Good Practices |
Organization/
Administration |
| • |
The framing and distribution to all employees of “NFD Action Rules” |
| • |
The publication of all safety management related rules on the LAN |
|
Operations/Maintenance |
| • |
The transfer of research and development know-how through project record files. |
|
|
|
b. Suggestions for Improvement
|
Fields of review |
Summary of Suggestions for Improvement |
Organization/Administration |
| • |
Increased distribution of a “portable NFD principles card” to the employees of all cooperating companies. |
|
Education / Training |
| • |
Scheduled repetition of compliance education |
| • |
Improvement of the important safety precaution indications in the “Safe Work Standards” |
|
|
|
|
|
*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 power industry.
*2 : Suggestions for Improvement
After comparing the practices of NFD with the best in the nuclear power 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 power industry, suggestion is taken up in case there is still room for improvement.
|
|
