Safety Culture in a Post-COVID-19 Nuclear Sector
The recent pandemic has taken a significant toll on workers in many industries, exacerbating feelings of exhaustion, burnout, and fatigue while creating separation between once-unified teams. Meanwhile, physical distancing guidelines, newly decentralized work arrangements, and shifting consumer demands have created new challenges for industry leaders.
Meanwhile, the nuclear industry in the United States seems to have flourished during this pandemic, maintaining high safety standards while furthering research, development, and innovation initiatives.
Utilizing a teamwork-based approach and a safety culture that encourages dialogue, leaders, regulators, and everyday workers innovated and collaborated in critical ways, reorienting the sector and creating a new normal with incredibly positive results.
Often, these efforts are built upon existing protocols to meet the moment. For example, the nuclear industry prides itself on being a learning sector that openly shares lessons learned and best practices throughout the world. Nuclear has always recognized that pandemics could impact safe operations.