June 17, 2003

Safety Series No. 75-INSAG-4, Safety Culture:  A report by the International Nuclear Safety Advisory Group, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, 1991.

The response to a previous publication by the International Nuclear Safety Advisory Group (INSAG), No. 75-INSAG-3, Basic Safety Principles for Nuclear Power Plants', indicated a broad international interest in expansion of the concept of Safety Culture, in such a way that its effectiveness in particular cases may be judged.

The present report responds to that need. It is directed especially to the senior management of all organizations whose activities affect nuclear plant safety. In embarking on a report on Safety Culture, INSAG was faced with the fact that the concept has not been fully charted in previous studies, and there is no consensus on the meaning of Safety Culture. In seeking to develop views that will be commonly shared and have important value in application, INSAG found it necessary to explore deeply the general factors which contribute to a satisfactory nuclear safety regime. The outcome is a document which represents the common view of INSAG members.