Training & qualification of operating personnel

This second contract was placed to extend the scope of the project U2.05/94 (see 23160 for a description of the first contract).

At the planning meeting, the parties identified the need for training of reactor operators. In particular the need for simulator training courses was envisaged for control room staff at the NPP Rovno on the full-scope simulator at the Greifswald Training Centre (each one lasting two weeks and training seven people). The target of this programme was identified in the following:

• to provide simulator training units for the shift personnel in relation to long periods of continuous normal operation at the NPP Rovno
• to train the shift personnel in abnormal and emergency situations, when the operator's full knowledge and diagnostic skills are indispensable
• to prolong the operating license for reactor operators and shift supervisors of the primary circuit.

Therefore a specific TACIS project was defined including design, development and implementation of a simulator training course for NPP shift crews who are directly in charge of operating the plant (shift supervisors NPP and unit, shift supervisors primary and secondary circuit, reactor and turbine operators).

The project was supervised by the Regulatory Body, due to the implications in the field of personnel licensing and re-training.

The project objective was to provide RNPP operators with a training course in relation to normal, abnormal and emergency conditions within complete shift crews at the simulator at the Greifswald Training Centre. In particular the training covered the following areas:

1. Improvement of interaction within the shift crew
2. Refreshing of theoretical knowledge about safety related problems of NPP
3. Deepening of knowledge about the technological performance of nuclear systems and their interconnections
4. Developing of thinking beyond one's own responsibility, developing of effective communication

Three courses were organized for 7 people each (6 shift people - reactor operator, turbine operator, shift supervisor primary or secondary circuit, shift supervisor of the plant - and 1 instructor) as asked by the NPP Rovno.

Together with the NPP Rovno the following timetable was developed:

• 1st course 11.01 -22.01.99.
• 2nd course 08.02 -19.02.99.
• 3rd course 08.03 -19.03.99.

The courses lasted two weeks each -10 simulator training days.

The course content was organized as in the following (the instructors of CAG took into account the comments of the NPP Rovno management for the development of the simulator lessons):

Familiarizing with and training of operating modes, such as the following ones:

• Interlock verification
• Putting in operation and putting out of operation of components
• Start-up of a reactor up to full load operation
• Shut-down of the reactor

Familiarizing with and training of malfunctions and failures like

• Leaks and failures in primary and secondary circuits, in nuclear auxiliaries and auxiliary electrical systems
• Combinations of failures

Training and practicing quick, safe and comprehensive responses to unforeseen events by full scope simulation
Improvement of trainees' abilities

• Building up of sense of responsibility
• Imperative way of speaking
• Training of effective communication between the shift crew
• Working in accordance with the internal rules
• Working with the valid technical documentation
• Team work

The applied simulator lessons included normal standard duty procedures as well as interruption and emergency procedures which already took place or could be expected at this NPP. Fundamental basis of each training lesson was the theory of "Methods of preventive intervention". These methods, in relation to the "responsive procedures" as used at the NPP Rovno include a different and absolute successful handling of operating disturbance.

Most of the Ukrainian participants were in Greifswald for the third time. So it was possible to reduce their adaptation to the simulator's control room to a minimum, and to start with practical training immediately.

Comments

The project met the objectives stated in the TORs and provided invaluable support to safe plant operation.