Preparing for an OSART mission

OSART Preparatory meeting

An IAEA Team Leader (TL) will liaise with the utility and regulatory authorities. The TL arranges a preparatory meeting with the plant management to familiarize them with the OSART methodology and to discuss any arrangements that need to be implemented prior to the mission. The preparatory meeting is held at the plant about one year before the start of the OSART mission and lasts three days. Other organizations involved, such as regulatory authorities, are welcome to attend the meeting.

Plant preparations

To prepare for the mission, the plant will prepare an Advance Information Package (AIP) and conduct a self-assessment. It will also designate plant counterparts, a host plant peer (HPP) and organize logistical support. The utility, the nuclear power plant or the regulatory authority has to formally confirm its commitment to finance the review. Resources from the IAEA Technical Cooperation Fund can be used for reviews in eligible countries.

Plant counterparts and host plant peer (HPP)

The plant is requested to designate a plant counterpart for each review areas and a host plant peer (HPP). Counterparts, often senior plant officials, serve as contact persons for reviewers and provide any needed coordination with specialist staff. The HPP is usually also a senior plant staff member with good overall knowledge of plant programmes, practices and staff. HPPs act as liaison officer between the plant and the IAEA team. They participate in team meetings and activities during the mission and advise the team when needed. In case of misunderstandings or issues needing further clarification, the HPP finds the responsible plant staff to enable further dialogue to occur.

Advance information package (AIP)

To enable an OSART team to perform effectively and efficiently while on-site, the nuclear power plant prepares an advance information package (AIP) and sends it to the OSART team at least one month prior to the mission. The package highlights the plant organizational structures, current operational practices, the plant staff approach to operational safety, key operational features and safety performance indicators and the general design.

The AIP may also include the results of any operational safety self- assessment.

Composition of the review team

The OSART team comprises a Team Leader (TL) and a Deputy Team Leader (DTL), who are IAEA staff, and up to 16 external reviewers and up to 3 observers from other plants which plan to host an OSART mission in the future. The TL and DTL are responsible for the overall conduct of the mission. They coordinate and liaise with the host utility, the host plant and the regulatory authority, and they train and guide the teams to help ensure coherent and consistent reviews.

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