atw - International Journal for Nuclear Power | 02.2020

atw Vol. 65 (2020) | Issue 2 ı February
Research and Application of
Nuclear Safety Culture Improvement
Management for NPPs in China
Xiaozhao Xu, Jun Guo and Sujia Li
The traditional nuclear safety culture improvement work in is mainly about propagandize, training, and behavior
observation to instill the concept. The Lack of systematic evaluating and closed-loop management makes it difficult to
ensure the effectiveness. Based on these, the nuclear safety culture improvement management research work was
carried out. This article proposes a nuclear safety culture dynamic improvement model and some practical applications
has been carried out based on the model. Firstly, a nuclear safety culture standard that can reflect the international
advanced experience and the characteristics of Chinese culture is developed; Secondly, a continuous improvement of
nuclear safety culture evaluation methods and mechanisms is established, and the nuclear safety culture evaluation
management system is designed and developed with the whole process of the data acquisition, storage, analysis,
processing, and feedback; Finally, a comprehensive nuclear safety culture quantitative evaluation model combining
Back Propagation (BP) neural network and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)-Fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method
is designed and applied based on the use of evaluation data and the fuzzy mathematical theory, data validation shows
that this model can be used for evaluating the comprehensive grade of nuclear safety culture in NPPs, and providing
basis for NPPs and corporate to monitor the nuclear safety culture level.
ENVIRONMENT AND SAFETY 87
1 Preface
From the typical events in the
domestic nuclear power industry, the
operation events of the unit shut down
due to the failure of employees to
comply the procedures have occurred
occasionally [1], and the recurrence
of events caused by the failure to
implement the corrective action
measures required by the operating
experience feedback has also
emerged. These events demonstrate
the importance of nuclear safety
culture to nuclear safety [2].
Strengthening nuclear safety by
raising the nuclear safety culture
level is a common consensus in the
nuclear industry.
It was found that the traditional
nuclear safety culture promotion work
mainly instills the nuclear safety
culture concept through publicity and
training [3]. In recent years, and some
nuclear power plants have used international
advanced experience to
carry out activities such as personnel
behavior observation and coaching,
the combination of the theory and
behavior practice has been greatly
improved compared to the initial
one-way infusion. Nevertheless, it was
found that this model is not enough to
ensure the continuity and effectiveness
of nuclear safety culture enhancement
[4], lack of systematic
evaluation and closed-loop management
of nuclear safety culture level, it
is difficult to accurately identify the
culture weakness and take corresponding
improvement measures of
action [5].
Therefore, it is necessary to carry
out research work on nuclear safety
culture improvement management in
NPPs. Based on the nuclear safety
culture dynamic improvement model,
this article has carried out related
research and application work in the
development of nuclear safety culture
standards, nuclear safety culture
evaluation methods and application
of evaluation data.
2 Research on nuclear
safety culture
improvement
management of NPPs
2.1 Nuclear safety culture
dynamic improvement
model
In three-level cultural theory, Edgar
H. Schein [6] found culture includes
three levels of underlying and visible
basic assumptions, values, and
behaviors, they are integrated and
interrelated. If we continue to
strengthen cultural values and change
individual behavior through various
actions, we can guide individuals’
basic assumptions and values to
change in the desired direction.
International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) proposed the relevant
requirements [7] for the organization
to enhance the nuclear safety culture,
and defined the nuclear safety
culture commitments of policy level,
managers and individuals. The
advantage is that the classification
and the responsibilities of each level is
clear and specific, but there is no
description of the relationship, and
there is no clear driving force to
enhance nuclear safety culture and
lack of evaluation.
The definition of nuclear safety
culture [8] by the World Nuclear
Operators Association (WANO) in
2006 clearly shows the relationship
between employees and leaders in the
promotion of nuclear safety culture,
and points out the role of leaders in
the promotion of nuclear safety
culture.
Based on the research and analysis
of the above-mentioned theory,
the nuclear safety culture dynamic
improvement model for NPPs is proposed,
as shown in Figure 1.
The model clarifies the role and
location of the corporate and NPPs in
the promotion of nuclear safety
culture, the corporate should issue
unified, clear, layered, and highstandard
nuclear safety culture
common language and put forward
the requirements for implementing
the nuclear safety culture enhancement,
the common language will be
widely publicized through training,
publicity and other activities to
deepen understanding, finally, the
requirements will be reflected in the
behavior of the on-site personnel.
The leaders of the nuclear power
plants play a vital leading role in the
process of enhancing the nuclear
safety culture, they are decisive forces.
They not only set an example by themselves,
but also act as a model for
practicing nuclear safety culture.
Leaders should conduct observation
Environment and Safety
Research and Application of Nuclear Safety Culture Improvement Management for NPPs in China ı Xiaozhao Xu, Jun Guo and Sujia Li