Associations or groups whose production, services, or technologies have inherent potential for very hazardous or severe consequences of errors, yet have maintained a high record of safety over long periods of time.
Published in Chapter:
Information Technology and the Development of a Global Safety Culture: A Nuclear Perspective
Susan L. Rothwell (Syracuse University School of Information Studies, USA)
Copyright: © 2011
|Pages: 24
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-61520-883-8.ch026
Abstract
A nuclear power plant is one of the most complex sociotechnical systems ever created, with operation requiring multiple organizations, extensive interaction, and a mission to protect public health and safety. A strong global nuclear power safety culture is important, with over 400 nuclear power plants worldwide and more under construction to reduce fossil fuel dependency. We increasingly rely on technology, stressing our need for energy independence, security, reliability, education, and safety. Lessons learned from nuclear power safety culture development have a large potential audience. Unfortunately, the complexity of nuclear power and restricted access to operational data have limited outside research on and understanding of nuclear power safety culture. This chapter provides a conceptual, methodological, empirical, and operational perspective on the development of commercial nuclear power safety culture, focusing on the role of information technology (IT) in building, maintaining, and expanding global nuclear power safety culture.