Press Release-11-104, NRC Issues Final Safety Culture Policy Statement
| ML11166A058 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/14/2011 |
| From: | Office of Public Affairs |
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| Category:Press Release | |
| References | |
| Press Release-11-104 | |
| Download: ML11166A058 (1) | |
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NRC ISSUES FINAL SAFETY CULTURE POLICY STATEMENT The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued its final safety culture policy statement that sets forth expectations that individuals and organizations involved in NRC-regulated activities establish and maintain a positive safety culture proportionate to the safety and security significance of their activities. The statement reinforces the NRCs emphasis on a safety-first focus but is not a regulation and, as such, does not impose requirements.
The development of the Safety Culture Policy Statement is a testament to the strength of a shared commitment to safety, said Chairman Gregory B. Jaczko. The Policy Statement was developed with the input of a broad spectrum of stakeholders, ranging from our licensees to public interest groups. By proactively engaging the public and our stakeholders at an early stage, we have been able to take a substantial step forward in promoting and maintaining safety and security at our nations nuclear power and fuel cycle facilities, and in the security and usage of nuclear materials.
Safety culture refers to an organizations collective commitment, by leaders and individuals, to emphasize safety as an overriding priority to competing goals and other considerations to ensure protection of people and the environment. The policy statement complements agency regulations and guidance.
The Commission expects the regulated community to take the necessary steps for promoting a positive safety culture by fostering the nine traits as they apply to their specific activities. A trait, in this case, is a pattern of thinking, feeling, and behaving that emphasizes nuclear safety. The traits are:
- 1. Leadership Safety Values and Actions - Leaders demonstrate a commitment to safety in their decisions and behaviors;
- 2. Problem Identification and Resolution - Issues potentially impacting safety are promptly identified, fully evaluated, and promptly addressed and corrected commensurate with their significance;
- 3. Personal Accountability - All individuals take personal responsibility for safety;
- 4. Work Processes - The process of planning and controlling work activities is implemented so that safety is maintained;
- 5. Continuous Learning - Opportunities to learn about ways to ensure safety are sought out and implemented;
- 6. Environment for Raising Concerns - A safety-conscious work environment is maintained where personnel feel free to raise safety concerns without fear of retaliation, intimidation, harassment, or discrimination; NRC NEWS U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Office of Public Affairs Telephone: 301/415-8200 Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 E-mail: opa.resource@nrc.gov Site: www.nrc.gov Blog: http://public-blog.nrc-gateway.gov No.11-104 June 14, 2011
- 7. Effective Safety Communication - Communications maintain a focus on safety;
- 8. Respectful Work Environment - Trust and respect permeate the organization; and
- 9. Questioning Attitude - Individuals avoid complacency and continuously challenge existing conditions and activities in order to identify discrepancies that might result in error or inappropriate action.
Additional information about the policy statement, including relevant background documents, meeting notices and presentations made at public meetings, as well as other outreach activities, is located on the NRCs public website at:
http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/regulatory/enforcement/safety-culture.html. This website will also have tools that support the policy statement, including a brochure and case studies, in the near future.
The policy statement becomes effective with publication in the Federal Register today.
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