The Moscow branch of the Rosatom Technical Academy hosted the Interregional Training Course on Leadership and Management for Safety from July 24 to 28, 2023. The Training Course was organized by the Rosatom Technical Academy in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation within the extra-budgetary contribution of the Russian Federation to the implementation of the IAEA Technical Cooperation projects for the development of the nuclear infrastructure of newcomer countries. 18 participants from 13 countries attended the course.
The programme included lectures by international and Russian experts and practical sessions on management, leadership, safety culture, and effective approaches in accordance with the IAEA safety requirements.
Ms. Iva Kubanova, the IAEA Chief Expert for Nuclear Safety, and Mr. Viktor Mazepov, Director of the Centre for International Cooperation of Rosatom Tech, addressed the course participants with welcoming remarks.
The IAEA expert, Mr. Josef Zlatnyansky highlighted the key success factors in resource management and safety culture assessment. From the Russian side, the experts of the Competence Center for the Culture of Safety and Reliability of the Human Factor of the Rosatom Tech Ms. Tatyana Melnitskaya, Mr. Vadim Tarykin, Ms. Elena Leonova delivered lectures on national context, leadership for safety, and safety culture self-assessment in organizations. Furthermore, Ms. Natalia Zhdanova, Deputy Director of the Institute for Global Nuclear Safety and Physical Protection for International Activities, highlighted the importance of stakeholder engagement in building a culture of safety.
The participants had the opportunity to visit the Machine-building Plant to learn more about the maintenance of the safety culture at the enterprises of the Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation. The participants discovered the technological processes of manufacturing fuel pellets, fuel elements, and fuel assemblies for further supply to NPPs.
The opportunity to observe a nuclear industry enterprise was considered extremely important by participants. «The technical tour was informative and well-organized. Such a possibility is a unique experience for every person interested in the nuclear field. With regard to safety, it is necessary to learn about it not only through lectures but also in practice. So, it was a wonderful tour» - commented one of the participants.
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One of the essential management concepts for an organization dealing with radioactive material is the establishment of a strong safety and security culture. Safety culture shapes the organization's structure and style, as well as the attitudes, approaches, and commitment of personnel at all levels.
The IAEA actively supports its Member States by providing tools and training to assess, improve and strengthen the safety and security culture throughout the lifetime of their facilities and activities.