Chernobyl Nuclear Accident Congressional Hearings Transcript

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EVALDATIONS
In-depth evaluations are conducted at operating U.S. nuclear
plants. On-site evaluations of plants and of corporate support
activities focus on safety and reliability. The evaluations are
performance-based, focusing on observations of station personnel
at work. Identification of the root cause of any problem area is
stressed.
Plants are placed in the evaluation schedule after reaching
commercial operation; plant evaluations are scheduled in
approximately 15-month intervals, while corporate evaluations are
scheduled for alternate plant evaluatipns. INPO is now in its
fifth round of evaluations for most nuclear plants. As of
June 1, 1986, the Institute had completed 227 plant evaluations
and 62 corporate evaluations.
Evaluations are conducted by teams of experienced professionals,
augmented with industry personnel. Industry observers often
accompany teams to see methodologies in place at other plants.
These evaluations also often serve as a mechanism to check on the
progress of other INPO programs, such as the implementation of
operating experience recommendations, data reporting, and success
in the implementation of training programs.
In all cases, written commitments for recommended improvements
are obtained from the utility before the evaluation process is
considered complete and a formal report is issued to the utility.
Plant Evaluations
Plant evaluations include in-depth reviews of the following
areas:
o organization and administration
o operations
o maintenance
o technical support
o training
o radiological protection
o chemistry
o operating experience
Plants are evaluated against a set of performance objectives and
criteria developed and refined with industry input. Performance
objectives reflect excellence in each operating area. In addition,
INPO evaluates the effectiveness of simulator training,
including operator performance during simulated emergencies and
off-normal events.