The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has today launched a software tool for nuclear organisations in Britain to accurately measure their safety cultures and benchmark their results, helping them identify strengths and opportunities for improvement.
The tool is part of the Nuclear Industry Safety Culture Inventory (NISCI), a bespoke and rigorously developed tool that assesses six broad dimensions and 15 sub-dimensions of safety culture.
Through providing a comprehensive assessment of safety culture, it can predict safety performance and support decision-making when used alongside other data.
The launch of the NISCI software tool marks the culmination of a longstanding collaboration between ONR, researchers from the University of Manchester’s Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS), and the nuclear industry.
It follows the publication of a report in 2023 describing the development and validation of the model and measure on which the tool is based.
Mark Foy, ONR’s Chief Nuclear Inspector and Chief Executive, said: “Safety culture is critical to maintaining high standards in the nuclear industry, and the new NISCI software tool is a prime example of how, as an enabling regulator, we explore and provide opportunities to inform and enhance safety performance across the sector.
“As well as the work of the AMBS research team and ONR colleagues, I am grateful for the input of the Safety Directors' Forum and the wider industry in developing this excellent tool, which will provide valuable insights.
“I strongly encourage all nuclear dutyholders to use the NISCI to proactively strengthen their safety culture, learn from other organisations, and reinforce safety performance across the sector.”
Gwen Parry-Jones, CEO of Great British Nuclear, said: “Safety has always been the cornerstone of our nuclear sector, and the NISCI represents a powerful new tool to further strengthen that commitment.
“This will ensure safety remains not just a priority, but a shared value across the entire industry – thus safeguarding the future of nuclear energy for generations to come.”
