Federation of Russia. Role of personnel in the operation process

The prevention of human induced failures in Russian NPPs is performed by measures in different areas. The evaluation of operating experience shows that the number of personnel errors reduces when the NPP operates longer than 3 - 4 years. If suddenly more failures due to personnel error occur after years of smooth operation, these may be explained by overestimation of personnel experience or capabilities, by degraded monitoring, or by inadequate practical measures taken by the management or engineering support services. The failures occurring can be divided into two parts: failures depending on the person making an error and failures not depending on the person. It is pointed out that an appropriate organisation is important to prevent failures. This includes provisions taken for emergency situations. Analysis of operation personnel errors allows to conclude that most errors are due to the lack of a reliable system for specialist selection and training, taking into account psycho-physiological capabilities, psychic and spiritual qualities of the persons. Lack of discipline and responsibility are the most frequent causes of failures due to errors of staff operating auxiliary systems and working in maintenance service. In Russia, a NPP technical support center was established to encourage efforts on following areas: - development of structures to provide experts in crisis situations; - development and upgrading of a nuclear information system; - enforcement of communication between NPPs and supporting companies; - development of standards, codes, instructions, methodologies, and regulations; - adoption, at a governmental level, of a program for the development of a safe and effective NPP operation system. Further improvements are necessary in work organisation