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Root Cause Analysis and Event Investigation

The training provides complete information on the nuclear event investigation process.

Background

In 2008, the “European Network on Operational Experience Feedback (OEF) for Nuclear Power Plants”, called “the EU Clearinghouse” was established, gathering European safety authorities, technical support organisations and international organizations. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, located at Petten, the Netherlands, serves as an operating agent of the EU Clearinghouse. It has provided products and services to both Clearinghouse members and a wider nuclear community. They include disseminating lessons learned from past operating experience, preparing Topical Operational Experience Reports (TOER) and organizing training courses.

Course objective

This training course teaches participants the Root Cause Analysis (RCA) methods and tools frequently used in nuclear event investigation. Emphasis is on practical application of universal RCA tools such as Event and Causal Factors Charting (ECFC), Barrier Analysis, Change Analysis, Task Analysis, Interviewing, Management Oversight and Risk Tree Analysis. These methods and tools are applicable for investigating most events and are suitable for analysing Human and Organisational Factors contributing to nuclear events. The training provides a complete information on the nuclear event investigation process and root cause analysis. It should be intelligible to participants with various level of knowledge of these processes.

Scope

The following topics are covered:

  • Definitions and Basic Concepts to Operating Experience, Corrective Action Program, and Root Cause Analysis.
  • Model Program for Root Cause Analysis,
  • Human Performance,
  • Analytical Techniques: Event & Causal Factors Chart,
  • Analytical Techniques: Barrier Analysis,
  • Change Analysis,
  • Fault Tree Analysis,
  • Task Analysis and Interviewing,
  • Management Oversight and Risk Tree (MORT) Analysis,
  • Evaluating the quality of the corrective actions with respect to risk assessment,
  • Root Cause Analysis – International Perspective.

The course is delivered in 5 days.

Diverse learning methods help the participants to understand all training materials. Formal lectures are followed by practical examples to explain how to use the presented tools. Participants then work in small groups on practical exercises.

Recognized senior experts in the field, Mr. Dorian Conger and Ms. Maria Jose Esteban, deliver the training.

The generic course agenda can be found below:

7 MARCH 2024
RCA Course Agenda
English
(13.09 MB - PDF)
Download

Venue and registration

The training course is held at the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission in Petten, about 20 km north of Alkmaar, the Netherlands.

The registration to the course is usually open from mid-March to mid-April.

Organizers:

JRC.G.I.4, Petten 

Target groups:

Event investigation experts from Nuclear Regulatory Bodies of the EU Member States 

Language:

The training course language is English.

Fees and charges:

The participation is free of charge. The participants have to cover their accommodation, per-diem and travel expenses.

Accomodation

A group hotel reservation can be made for all course participants in a hotel in Alkmaar.

Transportation

JRC arranges local transport from/to the hotel to/from the course venue. Details are provided in due time.

Other requirements/suggestions:

The course shall be comprehensible to participants with various level of knowledge of these processes. A previous good general knowledge of nuclear power plant operation is required for the course participants.

Contact information:

Milan [dot] Cihlaratec [dot] europa [dot] eu (Milan[dot]Cihlar[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)