What happens after an OSART mission?

Reporting the results

The evaluation criteria for the OSART’s team observations and analysis is based on the relevant IAEA safety standards. The OSART review provides an objective comparison of the observed plant safety performance with the IAEA safety standards and may result in  a recommendation (highlights what improvements in operational safety should be made), suggestion (highlights an opportunity for further improving  safety ), or good practice (an outstanding and proven programme, activity or equipment), in accordance to the OSART guidelines.

While on the site, the OSART members record their observations and conclusions. These are discussed in detail with the plant counterparts and combined into Technical Notes, which are shared with the host plant as a preliminary report of the mission results. They form the basis for the TL’s preparation of the OSART Report, which is an official IAEA report that summarizes the team’s observations and conclusions and lists all recommendations, suggestions and good practices identified by the team.

Before the report is finalized, the host plant and regulatory authority are invited to provide comments. The final report is submitted through official channels to the Member State that requested the OSART mission. Initially, the report is distributed only to the IAEA, host utility and regulatory authority. After 90 days, this restriction is lifted, unless the host country requests otherwise. Many host countries and host plants post the OSART reports on their web sites to ensure transparency. Main conclusions of derestricted reports are available on the IAEA website – these can be found through the Peer Review and Advisory Services Calendar.

Follow-up visits

Approximately 18 months after the OSART mission, a follow-up visit takes place. During this visit, a group of three to five team members evaluates the progress made in resolving the issues raised by the OSART team. They do so by interviewing personnel, reviewing documentation and conducting field visits. The status of the plant response to each recommendation and suggestion is included in the final mission report. The results of follow-up visits are reported in a similar manner to the original OSART missions.

Mission Results database, good practices

The OSART Mission Results (OSMIR) database contains the results of derestricted OSART missions and their follow-up visits from 1991 onwards. The continuously updated database provides information on OSART results for specific review areas and individual topics within those review areas. This database is shared on request with organizations and individuals in the nuclear industry to help strengthen nuclear safety performance.

Continuous improvement

The IAEA monitors the OSART programme to increase its usefulness and effectiveness by incorporating new features and eliminating outdated ones. At the end of each mission, the OSART members and host plants provide feedback on the OSART process.

Industry experts and others provide suggestions and opinions on the programme during IAEA technical meetings and other meetings. The OSART guidelines are regularly revised to reflect feedback and industry-wide progress in nuclear safety.

The information acquired through the programme is also used to update the OSART Highlights.

See this content in PDF