 NSnet 48 th Peer Review of . Onagawa Nuclear Power Station, Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc. conducted over Three days period starting Jul 7th , was completed. A summary of the review is shown below |
1. Reviewed Establishment (Location) |
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Onagawa Nuclear Power Station, Tohoku Electric Power Co.,Inc. located in Onagawa-cho and Oshika-cho,Oshika-gun,Miyagi Prefecture. |
2. Overview of the establishment |
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The Onagawa Nuclear Power Station (hereinafter referred to as “the power station”) is located in the middle of the Oshika peninsula, is surrounded by the Minami-sanriku Kinkazan National Park and has three boiling water reactors. Unit 1 started operation in June, 1984, Unit 2 in July, 1995 and Unit 3 in January, 2002. The rated electric output for Unit 1 is 524,000 kW and 825,000kW for Units 2 and 3. The Onagawa Nuclear Power Station has been playing an important role as the source of the Tohoku region's energy since Unit 1 began operation. |
3. Members of the review team, and the method of review
Group A
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Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Kobe Steel, Ltd .
(Fields of review: Organization/Operation and Radiation protection) |
| Group B |
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Mitsubishi Nuclear Fuel Co., Ltd. , Research institute for Social Safety Co., Ltd. Japan Nuclear Technology Institute.
(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, examination of documents in the above areas and free discussion. |
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Onagawa Nuclear Power Station |
Field observation |
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4.
Participation Of Dr. Ohhashi as an Observer
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Head of the Human Factor Research Department at the Research Institute for Social Safety, Ms. Yuki Shuto, participated as reviewer and observer and in the human factor related review, gave us valuable advice while confirming our peer review activities. |
5. Results of this review
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| (1) Main Conclusions |
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In summing up the review results of the Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc.'s Onagawa Nuclear Power Station, no items were found on the nuclear safety side that could be thought to lead to large disasters if improvement measures were not implemented immediately. |
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At Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc., the president has indicated a “quality policy” in regards to nuclear safety and the Onagawa Nuclear Power Station has drawn up “quality goals” in consideration of this policy thereby confirming that they are working at insuring nuclear safety |
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The Unit 1 reactor at the Onagawa Nuclear Power Station has performed excellently during the 20 years since it began operation, but I would still like to see an improvement in safety culture and the promotion of independent security activities so that this good record can be maintained. I also look forward to the results of this review being implemented at affiliated companies. |
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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 Onagawa Nuclear Power Station, Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc. , Inc 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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Making a work environment that allows free expression of opinions. |
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Taking a stance that realizes a “company with technological ability . |
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Sharing of information and ‘early recognition of abnormal indicators' through ‘Operation Parameter Evaluations' |
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Operations/Maintenance |
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Passing on of technological knowledge through ‘Know-why' education |
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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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Definitive implementation at a departmental (room) level of the ‘quality policy' concerning nuclear safety |
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Devising internal investigation parameters |
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Education / Training |
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Clarification of ‘Education and Training Responsibility System', establishment of ‘Mid-term Plans' and clear feedback on ‘Education and Training Results' |
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Operations/Maintenance |
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Improvement of efficacy and efficient operation' of the meeting system concerning safety, etc. |
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Specific evaluation items |
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Improvement of ‘how the human factor is dealt with' |
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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 power industry.
*2 : Suggestions for Improvement
After comparing the practices of Onagawa Nuclear Power Station, Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc 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.
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