Expectations of the Swiss safety authorities

On the one hand, nuclear energy can contribute significantly to our energy supply without much environmental consequences. On the other hand, there is a potential for large environmental consequences. The nuclear power plants are vastly different from conventional industrial activities where much has been learned through trial and error processes leading to slow improvements in their safety performance. Hence one cannot afford to learn from mistakes as an approach to safety improvement. It is more important to think ahead and precautions must be taken through proper design and operation before accidents can occur. The precondition for such an approach is what one now refers to as 'safety culture'. This requires a prerequisite frame of mind to 'desire' safety. In addition, the necessary technical 'ability' is also required, without which any culture cannot be realized. Culture is a human reaction to its environment so that it can live in harmony with the real or imaginary world. In the course of human history, different cultures, e.g. hunters and farmers, have evolved to adopt with the prevailing habitats. The term culture is also associated with a humane form of pre-industrial and industrial society. These cultures were, at least partially, the result of pressure to perform suitable actions. However, in the present modern times, things function quite well with less apparent pressure. Thereby positive values in the working culture become questionable. The traits that are endangered include thoroughness, carefulness and sense of duty in ones daily work habits. Also the removal of work from its central position in human life is involved, threatening care by pressure or time and costs. (author)