Safety-critical human factors issues derived from analysis of the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi accident investigation reports

SAKUDA Hiroshi¹, and TAKEUCHI Michiru²

1. Institute of Nuclear Safety Systems, Inc., 64 Sata Mihama-cho Fukui Pref., 919-1205 Japan (sakuda@inss.co.jp)
2. Institute of Nuclear Safety Systems, Inc., 64 Sata Mihama-cho Fukui Pref., 919-1205 Japan (currently Institute of Elderly Housing Sciences, 5-5-15 Nishinakajima Yodogawa-ku Osaka, 532-0011 Japan (mtakeuchi@keiyuu-kai.or.jp))

Abstract: The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident on March 11, 2011 had a large impact both in and outside Japan, and is not yet concluded. After Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s (TEPCO’s) Fukushima accident, electric power suppliers have taken measures to respond in the event that the same state of emergency occurs - deploying mobile generators、temporary pumps and hoses, and training employees in the use of this equipment. However, it is not only the “hard” problems including the design of equipment, but the “soft” problems such as organization and safety culture that have been highlighted as key contributors in this accident. Although a number of organizations have undertaken factor analysis of the accident and proposed issues to be reviewed and measures to be taken, a systematic overview about electric power suppliers’ organization and safety culture has not yet been undertaken. This study is based on three major reports: the report by the national Diet of Japan Fukushima Nuclear Accident Independent Investigation Commission (the Diet report), the report by the Investigation Committee on the Accident at Fukushima Nuclear Power Stations of Tokyo Electric Power Company (Government report), and the report by the non-government committee supported by the Rebuild Japan Initiative Foundation (Non-government report). From these reports, the sections relevant to electric power suppliers’ organization and safety culture were extracted. These sections were arranged to correspond with the prerequisites for the ideal organization, and 30 issues to be reviewed by electric power suppliers were extracted using brainstorming methods. It is expected that the identified issues will become a reference for every organization concerned to work on preventive measures hereafter.
Keyword: nuclear; TEPCO Fukushima accident; human factors