Utilities Service Alliance (USA) members have joined efforts to respond to the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations’ (INPO) Significant Operating Experience Event Report (SOER) 10-2. A USA team is visiting the Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant this week for an assessment of its implementation.

The team consists of:
Russ Lovell from South Texas Project (Team Lead)
Brian Evans from DC Cook
Chip Calia from Wolf Creek
Mike Paul from Fermi
Nathan French Monticello

SOER 10-2 was issued by INPO to address an increase in the frequency of significant events in the industry. The key element of SOER 10-2 is that INPO has challenged plants to be “engaged, thinking organizations” to address an increase in significant events in the industry reflecting shortcomings in leader, supervisor, and individual contributor behaviors.

The behavior shortcomings are characterized by deficiencies in leadership, questioning attitude, risk perception, accountability, and use of lessons learned from significant operating experience.

The team will assess how Monticello has performed in the following areas:
-Establish roles for the leadership team in addressing significant operating experience.
-Verify, through frequent evaluation, that on-duty shift managers are providing requisite oversight of plant operations and Control Room crew performance.
-Conduct case studies, at least semiannually, to discuss engaged, thinking organizations and station standards using significant events and other examples to focus the discussions.
-Review and revise management systems, including work management, corrective action, system health, and observation programs, to ensure the importance or impact of subtle problems (such as a gradual decline in standards and repetitive or long-standing personnel or equipment deficiencies) are recognized, prioritized, and addressed appropriately.