Background
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) continues its efforts to disseminate knowledge on how to continuously improve the operational safety of nuclear facilities. Nuclear safety can be a complex concept to define and measure. Defining an adequate level of nuclear safety is even more complex. However, reasonable assurance that a plant is operating safely is possible if reliable and sufficient data are available and taken into account. The challenge lies in measuring the effectiveness of fundamental operating processes to ensure sustained safety. During this virtual meeting, the IAEA will present the approach developed in the draft of the Safety Report Series "Using Safety Performance Indicators to Improve the Effectiveness of Nuclear Power Plant Oversight."
Objectives
The objective of this technical meeting is to engage with participants from Member States on the approach outlined in the Safety Report Series “Using Safety Performance Indicators to Improve the Effectiveness of Nuclear Power Plant Oversight”. The meeting aims to support Member States in developing or enhancing their own internal and external oversight of nuclear power plants by providing a structured set of Safety Performance Indicators (SPIs), while also providing feedback to the IAEA on this draft document.
The virtual meeting, conducted via Microsoft Teams, will include a presentation of the Safety Report and interactive discussions with participants. These exchanges will help the IAEA refine the content of the document to ensure that it is clear, practical, and applicable in Member States.
The participants are encouraged to actively contribute by sharing their experiences, current practices, and lessons learned through presentations and discussions. This collaborative approach will foster mutual learning and strengthen the overall effectiveness of nuclear safety oversight.
Target Audience
Experts from Member States of nuclear power plant (NPP) operating organizations and regulatory bodies who develop SPIs used to assess operational safety performance of NPPs.
Topics
The Draft of Safety Report Series “Using Safety Performance Indicators to Improve the Effectiveness of Nuclear Power Plant Oversight” introduces a methodology for establishing and implementing a comprehensive framework of SPIs. This framework is intended for use by both regulatory bodies and licensees. These indicators could serve as the minimum standard for monitoring and assessing safety performance of nuclear installations offering a foundational set of indicators to support the monitoring and assessment of nuclear installation safety performance.
While the report outlines the overall approach, it does not provide a detailed methodology for calculating individual indicators or for aggregating them into strategic-level indicators. This allows regulatory bodies and licensees the flexibility to develop calculation methods to their specific needs and national contexts. It is important to note that licensees and regulators may also adopt additional indicators than those identified in this publication.
The meeting will include discussions of selected examples illustrating how a graded approach can be applied. However, both regulators and licensees are encouraged to adapt the methodology to suit their operational environments and regulatory frameworks, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness across diverse settings.
Participation & Registration
Please apply to attend the virtual meeting via InTouch+. A link to the one-day virtual event will be provided to approved participants five days before the event. See Information Sheet below for additional details.