Integrated Experience Feedback-Knowledge Management Approach for Enhanced Safety of a Research Reactor

Abstract

In the nuclear field, safety is a fundamental requirement, driven by the need to protect workers, the public, and the environment from the effects of ionizing radiation. Nuclear safety increasingly relies on organizations' ability to manage their knowledge effectively in a context marked by rapid technological changes, skills renewal constraints, and growing operational complexity. Two complementary approaches play a strategic role in sustainably strengthening nuclear safety: Experience Feedback (EF) and Knowledge Management (KM). This article is based on a qualitative analysis of IAEA safety standards and technical documents, combined with the author's professional experience. The proposed integrated EF-KM cycle is derived from this analysis and is presented as a conceptual framework for implementation. The synergy between EF and KM contributes to the overall performance of safety systems by preventing error repetition, preserving tacit knowledge, and fostering a proactive safety culture. This article constitutes a direct advocacy for research reactor operating organizations to formally establish and integrate robust EF and KM programs as a strategic necessity, rather than treating them as optional initiatives. The paper also discusses implementation challenges and provides global success cases from EDF, WANO, and Bruce Power to ground the theoretical framework in practical reality. A practical example involving a transient iodine release is used to illustrate the operational benefits.