Current status of reactor safety: An operations perspective

About 420 nuclear power plants are currently in operation around the world. They have accumulated an operational experience of [approximately]5,000 reactor-yr and are currently producing 17% of the electricity consumed in the world. Considering the impact of the Chernobyl accident, it is not surprising that the prevention of accidents in these operating plants is the first safety priority. Achieving this objective does not depend only on the attention given to operation and maintenance at the plant itself; it also implies a sound design and good quality construction. But consequences of deficiencies in these fields on plant safety can be minimized if they are detected early by plant operators. Today, plant operators are bearing the main responsibility for nuclear safety. This was not the case in the early days of nuclear development, when designers and regulators were most directly concerned by the safety issues, and operators were supposed just to do what they were told.'