Improving nuclear security through having a questioning attitude means that people actively try to avoid complacency, and continuously challenge existing conditions in order to identify errors or inappropriate actions.

It is the responsibility of all members of the workforce to continuously assess their duties, procedures, and job site to identify inconsistencies or abnormalities. Challenging assumptions, stopping work in the face of uncertainty, and proactively anticipating what may go wrong during a pre-job brief reflect a questioning attitude and a positive attitude towards security culture.

Developing a culture of questioning at a nuclear site can sometimes in be conflict with national culture (see McCurry 2012). For example, reluctance to question authority played a role in the Fukushima Daiichi incident. Whereas a natural disaster initiated the incident, (lack of) human intervention lead to three nuclear meltdowns. Japan maintains a strongly hierarchical professional system, in which it is difficult to question an elder or superior, or to make suggestions – resulting in complacency and errors.

Further Reading:

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), 'Nuclear Security Culture', IAEA Nuclear Security Series: Implementing Guide, No. 7, Vienna, 2008

Khripunov, I., ‘Nuclear safety vs security: Can the two cultures be harmonized?’ Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 6 July 2018

McCurry, J., ‘Japanese cultural traits at heart of Fukushima disaster,’ The Guardian, 2012

US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) 'Questioning Attitude', Safety Culture Trait Talk, 2014