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REPUBLIC OF TUNISIA

Nuclear Safety Culture from theory to practice: Tunisia as a case study

Ali NASR

Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (STEG)

NPP Project

Vienna, 06-08 October 2014

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General framework

Methodology

Achieving objectives

Strengths and weaknesses

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OUTLINE

General framework

NPP

Project

• End of Feasibility Study.

• Preparing the INIR mission.

Medicine

• Nuclear medicine therapy.

• Nuclear medicine imaging.

Scientific

Research

• Peaceful Applications of Nuclear Science and Technology.

• Industrial, Agricultural and Environmental Researches.

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General framework cont’d

The NPP project has conducted a pilot

project to improve safety culture in four

radiotherapy centers.

A non-regulation project (Voluntary).

Assistance of the AFNI’s experts.

Hospitals personnels.

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Methodology

• interviews

• Questionnaires

Data Collection

• observations and practices

• feedback

Data analysis

• Workshops

• Trainings

Action Plans

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Methodology cont’d

managers

• 4 managers

• Flexible Interviews

• Behaviours of workers

• Expressing perspectives and concerns

employees

• Doctors, personnels…

• Reporting errors and incidents

• Behaviours of managers

Data Collection:

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Data Analysis:

Ensure that the source of specific comments

or information was not identifiable.

Observations about local safety culture issues

and practices were summarized.

Drawing on a model of best practices and

limitations in safety culture.

Methodology cont’d

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Action plans: Workshops , trainings: presentations,

exercises, discussions…

Present feedback on the key themes extracted during managers’ and employees’ interviews

Stimulate creative thinking by managers about the enhancement of the safety culture

Provide managers with practical advice that would support future safety promotion activities

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Methodology cont’d

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Achieving objectives

Safety Culture Principles:

Wary , Informed, Awareness, Commitment,

Learning, flexible, just.

Detailed definition, local observations and

examples of center activities, actions and

attitudes related to that aspect of safety culture.

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Management Safety Culture Perceptions:

Stimulate discussion around managers’

different impressions about how well their

center currently reflected some key aspects of a

safety culture.

Reporting the relation to each safety cultural

element.

Achieving objectives cont’d

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Safety Investigation:

Centers are not able to apply a systemic

investigation processes, and maximize safety

learning from incidents and events.

Investigation processes were included as a

topic for discussion in the workshops.

Achieving objectives cont’d

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Open Discussion Sessions:

Raising questions related to any aspect of

safety management or safety culture

enhancement.

A broad range of topics were discussed.

Achieving objectives cont’d

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Strengths and weaknesses

Strengths:

Willingness for improving safety culture.

Individuals are convinced that safety should be

considered in their labor.

Safety-conscious behaviour is accepted by all the

personnel interviewed.

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Strengths and weaknesses

Weaknesses:

Hesitation in decision-making (Fukushima

accident, socio-political context).

Ineffective safety communications.

Impact of national culture: some of the required behaviours may be more difficult to

perform.

Complacency.

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Strengths and weaknesses

Weaknesses:

Responsibilities are not clearly defined.

Punitive approach is taken when errors are reported.

Reporting of errors (fear of losing job).

Safety culture is characterized by counterproductive

attitudes.

Lack of a systematic approach to develop safety culture.

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Recommendations

Building an effective and independent

Regulatory Body.

Choosing policies related to building and

developing a culture of safety in all

organizations.

Showing a continuous effort to strive for

openness and good communications throughout

the organizations.

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

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