Year
1989
Abstract
Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL)(a) is performing a study for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRG) to determine how the operating performance of nuclear reactors is affected by overtime, staffing levels, and shift schedules. As part of the study, PNL Is collecting data on overtime, staffing levels, shift schedules, operator performance, maintenance performance, and plant performance in a cross section of nuclear power plants. The data will be used in statistical analyses of the relationships between performance and overtime, staffing levels, and shift schedules.The principal focus of PNL's study is to quantify, if possible, the potential safety implications of overtime, staffing levels, and shift schedules. Based on a detailed review and analysis of the extensive literature on these issues, it is clear that overtime, staffing levels, and shift schedules have the potential, under certain circumstances, to adversely impact safety. However, only limited data and analyses based on actual nuclear reactor experience are currently available. In order to accurately characterize the magnitude and extent of any safety impact at reactors, better quantitative data and analyses are needed. The goal of PNL's study is to provide such quantitative data and analyses.Among the topics discussed in this paper are the following.Shift SchedulesOvertimeStaffing Levels