Safety Analysis: Its Role and Current Trends

Abstract

Safety analysis is one of the components of the overall safety assessment required to demonstrate that a proposed nuclear power plant, once constructed, would operate safely, without posing unreasonable risks to the public, workers and the environment. It is also one of the so-called safety programs utilized by the CNSC in the on-going evaluations of safety performance of the operating plants. This presentation will explore why, after decades of safe nuclear power plant operation, the safety analysis remains to be an area of significant regulatory attention, both in general terms as well as from the Canadian perspective. With regard to the latter, the paper will touch upon specifics and evolution of the Canadian regulatory framework and some of the recent “discovery issues”. The current trends, such as introductions of novel complex methods, ever-increasing attention to consideration of uncertainties, and prioritization based on safety significance will also be explored. Finally, this presentation will venture to consider potential future developments and expectations that may shape the safety analyses for nuclear power plants in the future.