Nuclear power plant operating experience from the IAEA/NEA international reporing system for operating experience 2015-2017

In the 2015-2017 period, member states submitted 246 event reports to the International Reporting System for Operating Experience (IRS), which is jointly operated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA). This report provides an overview of identified common categories with important lessons and information of interest to the broader nuclear community, grouped according to the reported events. The lessons learnt outlined in this report have been divided into three main categories: human performance, equipment issues, and management and oversight (pp. 19-51).

This report concludes that in developing the operating experience feedback programme, and the network for its implementation, it is important to keep in mind the main idea behind the programme: writing reports and collecting data is meaningful only when there is a direct link to the reduction of risk and the enhancement of operational safety. Event reporting needs, therefore, to be coupled with programmes that transform the lessons learnt into risk-reducing measures, such as improvements in design, operator training, operating procedures and enhanced safety culture.