Training

Training is undertaken within Reactor Operations to give employees a thorough knowledge of the OPAL reactor, its facilities and associated equipment.

Training is provided in operating procedures and emergency preparedness and incorporates safety culture in all activities.

The Training Group in Reactor Operations is responsible for comprehensive and programmed training, re-training, accreditation, re-accreditation, authorisation and re-authorisation of Reactor Operations shift staff. The Training Group seeks to achieve the highest possible standards in staff training.

 
Three chief components are identified within the training programs:

1. Induction Training for employees who are new to a particular job or task and need to be appropriately familiarised with important aspects of operations.
2. Role-Specific Training for personnel to acquire the role-specific requisite knowledge and abilities to support the various operations of the OPAL Reactor.
3. Ongoing Training for personnel to keep up-to-date with technology changes, plant modifications, management expectations and general developments, including simulator training.

OPAL Reactor shift manager and reactor operator training

This program trains OPAL Reactor Operations staff to a level sufficient for reactor operator accreditation. By selecting topics that are directly relevant to their work requirements, components of the course may also be used to train other professional personnel within Reactor Operations.

Training programs for shift managers and reactor operators

Training programs consist of an appropriate combination of classroom instruction, simulator training, practical hands-on sessions and supervised self-study. Training needs are identified formally and incorporated into training plans. The prime objective of this training is to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the reactor. There are five basic components to this training that are carried out in a staged process:

1. Reactor Fundamentals
2. Classroom Design and Operations Theory
3. Simulator
4. Practical - allowing personnel to put their classroom theory into action
5. Ongoing Training

Reactor fundamentals

The operation of the reactor is governed by controlling the fission process so all accredited reactor personnel must have a good understanding of this process and all the consequences that result from it. The reactor fundamentals topics are incorporated into the OPAL Shift Manager and Reactor Operator program, or can be staged as a stand-alone course.

Classroom design and operations theory

This training component encompasses all facets of the OPAL reactor design and its operation from an operator's perspective. It includes safety design considerations, the plant-operator interface, and all the elements of engineering that provide the operator with a thorough working knowledge of the plant.

Simulator

The Simulator provides Reactor Operations personnel with a realistic experience of reactor control and operation. The screens are a duplicate of the Reactor Control and Monitoring System screens found in the main control room of the OPAL reactor.

The model programmed into the software accurately replicates the responses and control of the OPAL reactor. It also enables a variety of scenarios to be programmed, including a variety of emergency situations, giving operators the chance to experience actions and responses that would not be possible on the reactor itself.

Practical training

This consists of two components; on-shift training and the completion of practical check sheets, both of which are under the supervision of a Shift Manager.

Following completion of various classroom training modules, the trained operator may be attached to a shift as a supernumerary, where they can observe first-hand how theory is applied to the practical operation of the reactor.

The practical check sheet ensures that all reactor operating personnel have completed the necessary hands-on training for the safe and efficient operation of the reactor.

Ongoing training

Ongoing training is carried out on a regular basis. The scope of the program includes maintenance and enhancement of job-related competence.

Three fundamentals are incorporated into ongoing training: safety and awareness, communications and workplace interaction.

The all-day sessions cover a variety of topics, all essential to reactor operations. Reactor shift staff are required to attend in order to maintain their accreditation and authorisation. It is also important that maintenance, engineering and utilisation staff attend because the sessions serve as important aids in promoting good staff communication and interaction.

Maintenance training course

This course trains OPAL maintenance staff to a level which they must attain to ensure that reactor plant is serviced and maintained to the highest level of safety and reliability. The course is uniquely tailored to reactor maintenance work, and deals specifically with all facets of maintenance, including instrumentation and control.

Utilisation training course

This course provides utilisation staff with the knowledge to safely handle all rigs, target cans and fuel within and external to the reactor pools. The course follows design theory, shielding requirements and safety monitoring and is also heavily reliant on the acquisition of manual handling skills.

Further training

In addition to these courses, Shift Managers are required to undertake further training in the areas of Reactor Dynamics, the Safety Analysis Report (SAR) and the understanding of the Authorisation process. All Shift Managers are accredited and authorised Reactor Operators.

Successful completion of this further training is a prerequisite for Shift Managers prior to their authorisation by the OPAL Reactor Manager. All accreditations for Reactor Operators and authorisations for Plant Operators, maintenance staff and utilisation staff are also administered by the OPAL Reactor Manager.

All Reactor Operators receive an additional period of refresher training every three years prior to their re-accreditation as operators.