Abstract for: System dynamics-based conceptual model for nuclear safety management in nuclear power plants

The purpose of this paper is to present a model for nuclear safety management in an operational organization of a nuclear power plant, based on the HTOE (human, technology, organization, and environment) framework. The model was developed through a literature review and semi-structured interviews conducted with industry and academic experts. The causal model comprises nine distinct causal loops, each representing a crucial factor in the safety and performance of nuclear power plants. These loops include human reliability of operational and maintenance personnel, the interplay between plant safety and availability, unexpected demands on the shutdown system resulting from technological failures or transient operational states of the reactor, core damage probability, management of human and equipment reliability, safety culture and leadership, reliance on suppliers and the electricity market, and nuclear industry regulation.