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According to the IAEA, an underpinning principle of nuclear security culture is learning and improvement. As such, ’Nuclear security can be improved by continual self-assessment, understanding of the reasons why mistakes occur, and application of best practices and lessons learned.’
In this sense ‘near misses’ can be considered as valuable learning opportunities for individuals and their organisations, as well as operators, regulators and government officials at the national and international levels.
Where accidents involving nuclear or radiological material, the IAEA commits to publishing individual case studies, at least where national authorities consent to the process. These form valuable insights into future accident prevention, particularly given the paucity of information available internationally.
Although there may be associated reputational costs to individual facilities and their respective regulatory authority, the reporting of near misses provides an opportunity to control the narrative. The affected entities are also able to present, alongside reports of near misses, the actions taken to prevent future occurrences and build trust with local populations.
Despite efforts to prevent disclosure, there are numerous examples where information on accidents and poor practice have come to public light. The value of transparency helps address the wider public mistrust of nuclear industry, as well as fulfilling corporate responsibility to engage with regulators and broader society.
Further Reading:
Laka Foundation (documentation and research centre on nuclear energy)
