Different Countries, Similar Nuclear Safety Culture: A Study on Comparison of Nuclear Safety Cultures in China and USA

Different Countries, Similar Nuclear Safety Culture: A Study on Comparison of Nuclear Safety Cultures in China and USA

Nuclear Safety Culture has always been the top priority of Nuclear Power Industry since its inception. However, there are many long-held perceptions in the industry that countries with nuclear power programs have different nuclear safety cultures and the opportunities for improvement varies a lot due to the influence of its specific national traditions and cultures, which led to difficulty in close cooperation in the area of enhancing nuclear safety culture on a broader basis.

The purpose of the study is to compare nuclear safety cultures and identify common opportunities for improvement for NPPs both in China and USA and promote a broader cooperation in the area of nuclear safety culture. A consistent approach of assessment developed by Utility Service Alliance was used to identify opportunities for improvement of nuclear safety culture in NPPs in both countries. The results of four nuclear safety culture assessments (two in USA and two in China) were reviewed and the common opportunities for improvement were identified together with the unique strength that the four nuclear industry share. It was generally concluded that nuclear safety culture of NPPs both in China and USA has much in common than its difference, there is no visible national boundary for the application of a strong nuclear safety culture.