Lessons learned: Purpose, Scope and Approach

CNSC Announcement made on December 15, 2007

Background

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has adopted a continuous improvement culture that includes transparent reporting of results and performance evaluations based on lessons learned.

The CNSC will undertake a review of lessons learned stemming from the Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) decision to shut down the National Research Universal (NRU) reactor in order to complete safety upgrades. This review will aim to develop a concise overview of key findings and was committed to by Mr. Barclay Howden, Director General of the CNSC Nuclear Cycle and Facilities Regulation Directorate during the December 6, 2007 meeting of the CNSC Tribunal.

Purpose

The purpose of this review is to:

• examine the performance of CNSC staff over the period leading up to and pursuant to the Commission Tribunal decision to renew the NRU reactor licence (thus allowing the NRU reactor to remain operational), as well as the subsequent period leading up to AECL’s decision to shut down the NRU reactor; and
• identify recommendations for improvements in CNSC performance.

Scope

• Clearly identify the current regulatory basis for licensing the NRU reactor, CNSC staff recommendations to the Commission, and the approved safety case as it relates to the two-pump backup configuration. This review should include how the licensing basis was determined;
• Review elements of the 2006 NRU reactor licence renewal: Commission Member Documents and supporting information (including safety system upgrade documentation), transcripts, minutes and Records of Decision, and other applicable documentation;
• Investigate how compliance was enforced regarding the emergency power supply and other safety system upgrades;
• Identify the nature, frequency and quality of communication among CNSC staff, AECL, and any other stakeholders on NRU reactor safety upgrade requirements and progress of work from 2005 and beyond; and
• Ascertain the nature and extent of consultations between AECL and CNSC staff on the work plan (including timelines) to carry out these upgrades, with emphasis on the emergency power system.

Approach

• A team of CNSC staff will be assembled and led by an external resource expert in the field of regulatory operations;
• The core team will include a project coordinator and a technical writer;
• Engagement of external expert consultants to assist the team is underway;
• Additional support will be provided by CNSC staff as required.

It is expected that the team will review all pertinent background documents including, but not limited to:

• technical documents related to NRU reactor licensing matters, including licence amendments allowing for extended NRU reactor operations, and CNSC staff follow-up on required AECL actions;
• information submitted in support of the licence application as issued August 2006, including safety cases submitted by AECL and the results of CNSC staff reviews of this material;
• Commission hearing transcripts, Records of Decision and Commission Member Documents;
• Meeting notes or correspondence, specifically with respect to the requirement and planning for connection/commissioning of the two main heavy water pumps to the NRU’s emergency power system; and
• information and compliance findings in support of the NRU’s continued operation.
  

It is also planned to interview CNSC staff members involved in the NRU reactor file and in activities preceding and subsequent to the 2006 licence renewal. Subjects will include project officers and managers in the Chalk River Licensing Division; the facility site supervisor and inspectors; members of the CNSC Legal Services Unit; and members of the CNSC Executive. As the project proceeds, it may be necessary to hold external interviews with industry members and academia.

Approved by:
T.J. Jamieson
Vice President, Technical Support Branch
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

December 15, 2007