Use of Probabilistic Safety Assessment (PSA) for nuclear installations

The paper uses a set of predefined questions, based on the EC-JRC Workshop' s Guidance Document (see Preface of this special issue) to describe the sta tus of use of Probabilistic Safety Assessment (PSA) within the nuclear indu stry and Regulatory Organisations, mainly related to nuclear power plants ( NPPs). The answers do not cover the area of radiological protection or wast e disposal. So far little work has been performed in the area of PSAs for f uel cycle facilities. The paper summarises the basic approaches used for sa fety assessment, the complementary use of deterministic and probabilistic a nalyses and their inter-relationship, some specific aspects of PSA related to nuclear technology, and current problems encountered. It describes diffe rences of use in countries and areas where international agreement has been reached or is emerging. It concludes that it should be explored, to which extent a generic standard could harmonise the terminology used, address the principles of using results of risk assessments for decision making and co uld define the elements needed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights r eserved.