Safety Culture and Principles

The World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) is a central organization in the nuclear industry, established after the accidents at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl to strengthen nuclear safety culture. It formulates global safety principles, known as WANO Principles, which emerged from the lessons learned from these accidents and are applicable worldwide. The Institute of Nuclear Power Operators (INPO) in the USA, a member of WANO, shares these principles to enhance safety in American nuclear power plants. WANO is headquartered in London and has regional centers in Atlanta, Moscow, and Tokyo to support its global mission.

A good safety culture is crucial to prevent major accidents like Three Mile Island or Fukushima. It requires organizations to pay attention to weak signals to identify risks early. Safety culture is comparable to the character of an organization and requires the responsibility of everyone, from the board to temporary staff. Leaders play a central role by shaping the culture through their behavior and decisions. A healthy safety culture emerges when formal rules are consistently followed and a critical mass of employees supports them. Changes are long-term and require continuous adaptation to new demands.

The safety dialogue is an essential tool of safety culture, used both in acute danger situations and for preventive risk avoidance. It promotes individual discussions about safety by considering different perspectives on risks. The dialogue encompasses four guiding questions: exploring the work situation, identifying hazards, evaluating behavior, and suggesting improvements. Resistance can be overcome through humorous and empathetic approaches, with adaptation to the individual situation and personality being crucial. A questioning, empathetic, and factually rule-oriented attitude is particularly important when addressing leaders or experienced colleagues. Safety dialogues minimize risks and prevent sanctions, with escalation only occurring in emergencies. Core messages of safety culture emphasize the unpredictability of dangers and the importance of health and safety to create trust and appreciation.

Each individual continuously contributes to the development of the safety culture, which is not fixed but can be influenced. By actively addressing unsafe situations and exemplifying safe behaviors, such as avoiding risky actions or ensuring correct documentation, the safety culture is strengthened. This fosters a critical mass that supports safety standards. Even subtle risks, like incorrect documentation, must be addressed to ensure long-term safety. Every contribution counts in creating a culture where safety is the top priority and all participants are protected.escription.

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