© 2010 Institute of Nuclear Power Operations 

Safety Culture in the Power ReactIndustry 

Safety Culture in the Power ReactIndustry

William E. Webster Jr.Senior Vice President, InduEvaluationsInstitute of Nuclear Power 

William E. Webster Jr.Senior Vice President, InduEvaluationsInstitute of Nuclear Power 

Nuclear Regulatory Co

Nuclear Regulatory Co

Commissioner Briefing Commissioner BriefingMarch 30, 2010 March 30, 2010
© 2010 Institute of Nuclear Power Operations 

INPO’s Mission INPO’s Mission

• To promote the highest levels 

and reliability – to promote exin the operation of commerciapower plants. 

• To promote the highest levels 

and reliability – to promote exin the operation of commercial power plants.
© 2010 Institute of Nuclear Power Operations 

Current INPO Nuclear Culture Principles 

Current INPO Nuclear SCulture Principles

An organization’s values and behaviors—modeled by its leaders and internalized by its members—that serve to make nuclear safety the overriding priority. 

An organization’s values and behaviors—modeled by its leaders and internalized by its members—that serve to make nuclear safety the overriding priority. 

• Everyone is person• Leaders demonstra• Trust permeates th• Decision-making re

first 

• Nuclear technology 

special/unique 

• Questioning attitud• Organizational lear

embraced 

• Undergoes constan

• Everyone is person• Leaders demonstra• Trust permeates th• Decision-making re

first

• Nuclear technology 

special/unique

• Questioning attitud• Organizational lear

embraced

• Undergoes constan
© 2010 Institute of Nuclear Power Operations 

Use of INPO Safety CuPrinciples 

Use of INPO Safety CulPrinciples

INPO• Evaluations• Training• Event Analysis• AssistanceIndustry:• Reinforcement of standards/ex• Event investigations• Periodic self assessments• Performance reviews

INPO• Evaluations• Training• Event Analysis• AssistanceIndustry:• Reinforcement of standards/ex• Event investigations• Periodic self assessments• Performance reviews
© 2010 Institute of Nuclear Power Operations 

Draft Safety Culture PoStatement Comments 

Draft Safety Culture PoStatement Comments

What should be strengthened:• Focus on Nuclear Safety Cult

to be preeminent 

• Recognition that the primary 

responsibility for healthy safresides with line leadership 

• Common language within the 

reactor industry is critical 

What should be strengthened:

• Focus on Nuclear Safety Cult

to be preeminent

• Recognition that the primary 

responsibility for healthy saferesides with line leadership

• Common language within the 

reactor industry is critical
© 2010 Institute of Nuclear Power Operations 

Considerations Going Forward

Considerations Going Forward

• Develop a common language fo

underlying descriptive attribute

• Focus on nuclear safety - recog

similar values/behaviors apply radiological safety and industria

• Develop a standard methodolo

assessing health of safety cultu

• Reinforce the responsibility for 

licensee to foster and assess itculture 

• Develop a common language fo

underlying descriptive attribute

• Focus on nuclear safety - recog

similar values/behaviors apply radiological safety and industria

• Develop a standard methodolog

assessing health of safety cultu

• Reinforce the responsibility for 

licensee to foster and assess its culture
© 2010 Institute of Nuclear Power Operations 

Final Thoughts Final Thoughts

• Nuclear operating company lea

responsible 

• Constant reinforcement of nuc

culture leadership and individubehaviors is necessary 

• Safety culture requires frequen

evaluation 

• Safety culture is a continuum – 

best plants work at it every da

• Nuclear operating company lea

responsible

• Constant reinforcement of nuc

culture leadership and individubehaviors is necessary

• Safety culture requires frequen

evaluation 

• Safety culture is a continuum – 

best plants work at it every da