Since its formation, the IAEA has conducted missions to facilitate the provision of advice and assistance to Member States in nuclear safety matters. Until the early 1980s, industry safety activities focused mostly on plant design and construction. Then, as more plants completed construction and began operation (Fig. 1), the industry recognized the growing importance of achieving high standards of operational safety and reliability. In addition, the industry began to realize the benefits of achieving a higher level of safety than the minimum standards set by regulatory authorities for the protection of the public and the environment. The efforts needed to achieve high levels of operational safety, such as careful planning, conservative decision-making and attention to detail, also contribute directly to enhancing plant reliability and production.
In 1982, the Agency added the Operational Safety Review Team (OSART) programme to its services. Under this programme, international teams of experts conduct three-week in-depth reviews of operational safety performance at individual nuclear power plants. These reviews are conducted at the request of the government of the host country.
The OSART programme provides an opportunity for nuclear power plant operators in all countries to assist other operators through the dissemination of information on the best international practices. Each OSART mission is conducted by a team of experts from several countries. Each of these experts has extensive experience in some aspect of nuclear power plant operation. Guidelines used by the teams to review plant programmes and performance are based on best international practices, and are applied in light of the experience of the entire team.
OSARTs focus on the safety and reliability of plant operation. They review the operation of the plant and the performance of the plant's management and staff rather than the adequacy of a plant's design. Factors affecting plant management and the performance of personnel, such as organizational structure, management goals, and the qualification of personnel are reviewed. Adequacy of programmes and performance related to operational activities are given particular attention.
In the course of detailed discussions with plant personnel, review of documents and observation of plant activities, the teams identify performance strengths that can be shared with others and areas where improvements could be achieved. Team members often discuss possible remedies for problem areas with their host utility counterparts.
The first OSART was conducted at the Ko-Ri nuclear power plant in the Republic of Korea in August 1983. By the end of March 1995, a total of 79 missions had been carried out at 62 nuclear power plants in 28 countries, including all the continents that have nuclear power plants. (Refer to Table 1). In addition, 30 follow-up visits have been conducted since this became a standard feature of the OSART programme in 1989.