NRC ISSUES FINAL SAFETY CULTURE POLICY STATEMENT

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued its final safety culture policy statement that 

sets forth expectations that individuals and organizations involved in NRC-regulated activities 

establish and maintain a positive safety culture proportionate to the safety and security significance of 

their activities. The statement reinforces the NRC’s emphasis on a “safety-first” focus but is not a 

regulation and, as such, does not impose requirements.

“The development of the Safety Culture Policy Statement is a testament to the strength of a 

shared commitment to safety,” said Chairman Gregory B. Jaczko. “The Policy Statement was 

developed with the input of a broad spectrum of stakeholders, ranging from our licensees to public 

interest groups. By proactively engaging the public and our stakeholders at an early stage, we have 

been able to take a substantial step forward in promoting and maintaining safety and security at our 

nation’s nuclear power and fuel cycle facilities, and in the security and usage of nuclear materials.”

Safety culture refers to an organization’s collective commitment, by leaders and individuals,

to emphasize safety as an overriding priority to competing goals and other considerations to ensure 

protection of people and the environment. The policy statement complements agency regulations and 

guidance.

The Commission expects the regulated community to take the necessary steps for promoting a 

positive safety culture by fostering the nine traits as they apply to their specific activities. A trait, in 

this case, is a pattern of thinking, feeling, and behaving that emphasizes nuclear safety. The traits are:

1. Leadership Safety Values and Actions – Leaders demonstrate a commitment to safety in their 

decisions and behaviors; 

2. Problem Identification and Resolution – Issues potentially impacting safety are promptly 

identified, fully evaluated, and promptly addressed and corrected commensurate with their 

significance; 

3. Personal Accountability – All individuals take personal responsibility for safety; 

4. Work Processes – The process of planning and controlling work activities is implemented so 

that safety is maintained; 

5. Continuous Learning – Opportunities to learn about ways to ensure safety are sought out and 

implemented; 

6. Environment for Raising Concerns – A safety-conscious work environment is maintained 

where personnel feel free to raise safety concerns without fear of retaliation, intimidation, 

harassment, or discrimination; 

NRC NEWS

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Office of Public Affairs Telephone: 301/415-8200

Washington, D.C. 20555-0001

E-mail: opa.resource@nrc.gov Site: www.nrc.gov

Blog: http://public-blog.nrc-gateway.gov

No. 11-104 June 14, 2011
7. Effective Safety Communication – Communications maintain a focus on safety;

8. Respectful Work Environment – Trust and respect permeate the organization; and 

9. Questioning Attitude - Individuals avoid complacency and continuously challenge existing 

conditions and activities in order to identify discrepancies that might result in error or 

inappropriate action.

Additional information about the policy statement, including relevant background documents, 

meeting notices and presentations made at public meetings, as well as other outreach activities, is 

located on the NRC’s public website at: 

http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/regulatory/enforcement/safety-culture.html. This website will also 

have tools that support the policy statement, including a brochure and case studies, in the near future. 

The policy statement becomes effective with publication in the Federal Register today. 

###

News releases are available through a free listserv subscription at the following Web address: 

http://www.nrc.gov/public-involve/listserver.html. The NRC homepage at www.nrc.gov also offers a SUBSCRIBE link. 

E-mail notifications are sent to subscribers when news releases are posted to NRC’s website.