Performance-based inspections

This report describes the concept of performance-based inspections that is being taught in NRC's training course, ''Inspecting for Performance.'' This concept has been endorsed and is being implemented by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). NRC performance-based inspections concentrate on activities that impact plant reliability and safety. The inspections begin with performance-based observations, and then the inspectors let discrepancies or uncertainties lead to inspection of other areas, such as quality verification organization effectiveness, training adequacy, and procedural controls. This inspection approach departs from past NRC practices that emphasized documentation and program review as a means to measure operational safety. The first goal of performance-based inspections is to improve the NRC inspector's ability to accurately evaluate plant safety and reliability. This goal will be achieved by increasing the inspector's emphasis on actual observation of ongoing facility work activities and reducing the emphasis on document and program reviews. The secondary goal of performance-based level inspections is to encourage licensees to manage their facilities in a performance-based manner.