1st Edition

Human and Organizational Factors in Nuclear Safety The French Approach to Safety Assessments

By Gregory Rolina Copyright 2014
    294 Pages
    by CRC Press

    294 Pages
    by CRC Press

    This book discusses the specifics of safety regulations regarding nuclear risk and how experts contribute to the safety of nuclear installations. Drawing on research conducted in collaboration with the French Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN), the ideas that are put forward rely on a review of the practices of specialists in human and organizational factors concerning nuclear safety. The author shows that the French approach depends on maintaining a technical dialogue between the regulatory authority (ASN), IRSN and nuclear operators. This method of risk management is known as "French cooking" in the Anglo-Saxon world, where a more formal regulatory approach is taken. This technical dialogue does however hold certain benefits, particularly in the field of human and organizational factors, where it allows an advancement of the state of knowledge, which remains incomplete. After the Fukushima accident, in the face of an ongoing European and global re-evaluation of the safety of nuclear power and alignment towards the Anglo-Saxon standard, the French cooking approach may yet be able to make a significant contribution. This work will be of interest to all involved in nuclear power engineering and in the field of risk management and nuclear safety.

    Includes a preface by Jacques Repussard, Director General, IRSN, France, and a postface by Erik Hollnagel, Professor, Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark / Chief Consultant, Centre for Quality, Region of Southern Denmark.

    Preface
    Introduction

    Part one. Technical dialogue and human factors: a historical perspective
    1. The emergence of human factors in institutions of technical dialogue
    2. Incorporation of human factors in assessment processes
    Conclusion to part one: historical and institutional influences of human factors assessments?

    Part two. The assessment factory
    3. Contribution to the Minotaure safety review
    4. The analysis of incidents at Artémis
    5. Management of the skills of operating personnel in nuclear power plants
    Conclusion to part two: the singular aspects of the assessment factory

    Part three. The effectiveness of assessment
    6. Persuade or convince: the rhetorical and cognitive effectiveness of the assessment
    7. The operating efficiency of expertise: controlling the forces of technical dialogue
    Conclusion to part three: rebalancing dimensions of effectiveness

    General conclusion

    Biography

    Dr. Grégory Rolina is an international consultant in nuclear safety. He has cooperated with several nuclear safety regulatory authorities and operators worldwide. More recently, he implemented safety culture projects, as an expert for the IAEA. He is currently carrying out research at the Scientific Management Centre of Mines ParisTech in France, where he also teaches.