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The human factor in licensing and operating the next generation of nuclear plants
As human factors specialists working at the intersection of human performance and nuclear operations, we are witnessing one of the nuclear sector’s most significant transitions in decades. The emergence of small modular reactors, microreactors, and other advanced designs is reshaping the industry’s landscape. Digital instrumentation and controls, passive safety systems, and increased automation are creating opportunities for greater safety margins and more flexible operation. These same features also fundamentally redefine what it means to “operate” a nuclear plant. Interactions among human roles, automation, and passive systems shape how people maintain awareness, exercise judgment, and intervene when necessary. These developments affect both operational realities and the regulatory foundations on which nuclear safety is built.
Gordon M. Lodde, Thomas D. Murphy
Nuclear Technology | Volume 87 | Number 2 | October 1989 | Pages 490-497
Technical Paper | TMI-2: Health Physics and Environmental Release / Nuclear Safety | doi.org/10.13182/NT89-A27742
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Commercial nuclear facilities accumulate radiological and environmental controls program data and documents pursuant to company policy, regulatory, license, and technical specifications requirements. During and following the Three Mile Island Unit 2 (TMI-2) accident, many documents were generated that would not normally have been produced. To handle this increase in document volume, GPU Nuclear Corporation (GPU) designed and implemented an effective and efficient records management program at TMI-2. This records management program has proven invaluable, as GPU experienced litigation following the TMI-2 accident, including class actions alleging economic dislocation losses and radiation injury. The carefully planned and systematic generation of the proper radiological and environmental documentation and data in the regular course of business facilitates the admission of such records and data into evidence in radiation injury litigation. The status of postaccident litigation, the magnitude of document production, radiological and environmental controls records in litigation, radiological and environmental controls documentation, and lessons learned from previous radiation injury litigation cases are described.