Management systems for safety in nuclear industries

Requirements on well documented management systems for Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) are relatively new and in different developmental phases. Thus there is a need of knowledge about well-functioning Safety Management Systems (SMSs) also considering other goals and restrictions. Since there ia a lack of mature management systems for NPPs it is important to learn from other NPPs, but also from other safety critical industries. The objectives of this paper are to identify and discuss some important elements that should be included and well managed in SMSs in the NPP sector. Information is taken from reports from major accidents, the scientific literature and interviews. The results are pointing at weaknesses in the SMS at the concern and site levels and a need for specific training for the top management. Abilities to anticipate and cope with foreseeable and unforeseeable events are stressed. Important topics in development are indicators and probabilistic risk analysis.