How to effectively implement an industry operating experience program

Learning from the experiences of others is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to help maintain safe and reliable nuclear station operation. In order to successfully accomplish this objective, an Industry Operating Experience Review (IOER) Program must be developed that will effectively (a) screen industry events for significance and applicability, (b) develop and implement actions to prevent occurrence, and (c) follow up on actions taken to ensure effectiveness. Important attributes of this program include staff qualification, correlation with internal events, interface with operating and engineering personnel, and management support of actions to be taken.