Operational safety of nuclear installations - France - OSART mission Fessenheim nuclear power plant, 9 - 27 March 1992. Report to the government of France

At the request of the government of France, an international IAEA Operational Safety Review Team (OSART) of experts visited the Fessenheim nuclear power plant (NPP) near Colmar, France, from 9 - 27 March 1992 to review operating practices at the power station and to exchange technical experience and knowledge between the experts and power station counterparts on how the common goal of excellence in operational safety could be further pursued. The Fessenheim OSART was the fourth mission to France. Before visiting the power station, the team studied relevant information made available to them to familiarize themselves with the power station's main features, important programmes and procedures, and the operating record of recent years. At Fessenheim, the team of experts, using techniques derived from their collective nuclear experience of 260 years, reviewed records of the power station's operational safety indicators and other documentation, examined applicable procedures and instructions, observed work being carried out and held extensive discussions with power station personnel. Throughout the period of review, there was an open exchange of experience and opinions between the power station personnel and the OSART experts. The review was conducted in depth and the longer report is in keeping with the new Agency policy of presenting more technical details