By Darian Macey, July 31 2024
I recently attended a fascinating talk by Dr Joanne Lackenby from KBR, part of the Frazer-Nash Consultancy, titled “What does safety-led nuclear stewardship really mean?” Dr Lackenby is a 15-year veteran of the Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and a TEDx speaker. It was a thought-provoking session that delved into the critical importance of safety in the nuclear industry, particularly as Australia transitions to support nuclear-powered submarines and their supporting infrastructure. Here’s a summary of the key takeaways from her talk.
Dr Lackenby began by emphasising that the nuclear industry is unique in its unwavering commitment to safety. Unlike many other industries, safety is not an afterthought but the driving force behind every decision, action, and activity. This commitment to safety extends across all stages of a nuclear facility’s life cycle, from design to decommissioning.
One point Dr Lackenby made, which resonated with many in the room, was the balance between safety and societal benefits. It’s not just about minimising risks but also ensuring that the benefits of nuclear technology are realised in a safe and controlled manner. This balance is achieved through continuous improvement and sharing best practices across the industry.
She shared an anecdote about attending an Incident Reporting System for Research Reactors (IRSRR) conference, which, amusingly, she noted sounded like a pirate’s chant. At these conferences, participants openly share details of incidents to learn and improve safety standards collectively. This culture of transparency and continuous learning is fundamental to nuclear stewardship.
Dr Lackenby then outlined five key aspects of nuclear stewardship:
- Institutional Arrangements and Regulation: Setting up appropriate institutions and regulations is crucial. These should be equipped with sufficient expertise and resources. Interestingly, she noted that regulation is not a constraint but an enabler, providing a structured pathway for nuclear activities.
- Culture, Leadership, and Management: Safety responsibility lies primarily with the operating organisation, which cannot offload it to regulators or contractors. Effective leadership and management are vital to foster a safety-first culture, where everyone knows their roles and responsibilities and feels empowered to speak up about safety concerns.
- Technical Excellence: For Australia to operate nuclear-powered submarines, it is essential to understand the technology and develop the necessary expertise. This includes training personnel overseas and learning from the US and UK partners.
- Management Systems: Robust management systems are necessary to turn high-level intentions into actionable steps. These systems document everything, ensuring that records are well-maintained and accessible, which is critical for operational efficiency and safety.
- Operational Excellence: Continuous improvement is key. Interestingly, nuclear power plants often perform better as they age, thanks to the accumulated experience and continuous enhancements by the people operating them.
Dr Lackenby concluded with a reminder that complacency is the enemy of safety. The nuclear industry must always strive for improvement and never settle for the status quo. As Australia embarks on this journey to integrate nuclear-powered submarines into its Defence Estate, it is clear that collaboration and a steadfast commitment to safety will be paramount.
In the Q&A session that followed, Dr Lackenby fielded questions about safety culture, international cooperation, and the unique challenges faced by the nuclear industry.
Dr Lackenby’s insights were not only informative but also inspiring, reinforcing the importance of safety-led stewardship in the nuclear industry. As we move forward in supporting nuclear-powered submarines, these principles will be crucial in ensuring the highest standards of safety and compliance. Thank you, Dr Lackenby, for shedding light on what it truly means to be a good nuclear steward.
Author: Darian Macey
Darian is a former Engineering Officer with the RAE with tertiary qualifications in Engineering and Project Management. He is a leading practitioner within Australia's NSI sector with previous employment in Government, project management and building contractor organisations.
