18.04.2008 // Information Department of Leningrad NPP

Chief engineer of LNPP Oleg Chernikov: Our key priority is work with the personnel

During the Apr production conference the traditional speech of the chief engineer of Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant Oleg Chernikov was followed by two important reports:

The deputy chief engineer for nuclear safety Konstantin Kudryavtsev told his colleagues – heads of services, workshops and departments – about the launch of the 1st and 2nd units after their modernization.

The deputy head of the Training Center of LNPP Boris Poysh presented a detailed analysis of the Apr 6 stoppage of the 1st unit of Kursk Nuclear Power Plant.

The key objective of the reports was to learn a lesson from own and others’ mistakes and to get ready for the late Apr-early May restart of the 3rd unit after its overhaul and modernization.

Chernikov said: “The unit has been changed a lot. We have changed its control and protection system, introduced a complex control and protection system, replaced reactor emergency cooling system. In short, we have changed a lot of things. And even though we have taught our personnel to operate the new equipment by means of our simulators and have informed them of all possible problems and difficulties, we still decided to meet once again to thoroughly plan of actions and to foresee all possible problems before the restart of the unit.”

— You are upgrading you equipment in order to reduce the possible negative effects of the human factor on technological process but, at the same time, you are toughening the requirements to your personnel?

— We are improving our equipment for enhancing our safety. Here, the human factor may have negative effects. But we are also working to enhance our efficiency, to increase our output and to prevent incidents. Here, the human factor may be quite helpful and, in order to avoid the mistakes we made during the restart of the 1st and 2nd units, we are analyzing their causes and considering ways to correct them.

– Are you personnel reliable?

— Yes, I think they are. Last year we had just four events, this year just one. In order to keep this positive tendency, we must constantly work with personnel. We must explain to them what an important role they have so they work efficiently and commit no mistakes.

— What is the most important factor for the efficiency of your team?

— Communicativeness, ability of people to work in a team. And we teach this too. 

— What helps to enhance communicativeness in a team besides training?

— Personal qualities, clarity of tasks and, of course, responsiveness: commitment and ability to work in a team.

In the autumn-winter (peak demand) period (from Oct 2007 till Mar 2008) Leningrad NPP produced more electricity than planned for the period. The capacity factor was also higher than planned. The radiation background at the plant and in the nearby area is within norm, which proves that LNPP is safe and efficient.