Operational Safety Review Team (OSART)

October 31, 2012

Operational Safety Review Team (OSART) is a key programme initiated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) aimed at enhancing the safety of nuclear power plants globally. The program’s primary goal is to review and assess the operational safety of nuclear power facilities to help them achieve higher safety standards in line with international best practices.

Overview of the OSART Program

The OSART program was established in 1982 and focuses on reviewing the operational safety performance of nuclear plants during various stages, such as construction, commissioning, and operation. The IAEA assembles a team of international experts to carry out in-depth safety reviews. Over the years, the OSART program has conducted numerous missions around the world, offering valuable insights into operational safety at nuclear plants.

Key Objectives of OSART Missions:

Objective Assessment of Safety: To provide host countries (including plant and utility management, regulatory authorities, and other governmental bodies) with an independent and objective assessment of operational safety at their nuclear facilities. This assessment is based on IAEA safety standards and proven international performance benchmarks.
Recommendations and Good Practices: The OSART team provides written recommendations and suggestions for areas needing improvement to meet IAEA safety standards. Additionally, they identify good practices that can be shared across the global nuclear community.
Informal Assistance: OSART experts offer key plant staff informal advice on ways to achieve safety improvements.
Learning and Exchange: The missions serve as an opportunity for experts and observers from member states to broaden their knowledge of operational safety and review methodologies, enhancing their management capabilities.

How an OSART Mission is Conducted

An OSART mission begins when a nation requests a safety review from the IAEA. Upon receiving the request, the IAEA assembles a team of 10-12 international experts to conduct the review. The mission typically consists of three key phases:

Pre-OSART Mission: Conducted during the construction and commissioning phase of a plant’s life. These missions ensure effective preparations for the plant’s operations and commissioning.
Safety Review Mission: This involves a detailed examination of the plant’s design features and operational processes closely related to safe and reliable operation. The review integrates assessments of human performance and potential design weaknesses.
Follow-up Mission: A follow-up mission provides an independent evaluation of the progress made in addressing issues identified during the initial safety review.

OSART at Rawatbhata Nuclear Plant

In one notable mission, OSART conducted a thorough safety review of the Rawatbhata Nuclear Plant. This mission gained prominence as it was one of the first reviews in India following the heightened focus on nuclear safety in the wake of global events such as the Fukushima incident in Japan. Such missions emphasize the importance of continuous assessments and improvements in nuclear safety.

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