Engineering the Future: Guidance for best practice

In October 2010, Engineering the Future brought together a study working group to examine the lessons that could be learnt from recent civil nuclear power plant construction projects and how they should be incorporated into the proposed UK new build programme. This resulted in the publication of the Nuclear Lessons Learned study.

A month later it was soon agreed that a series of guidance for best practice guides on specific areas of nuclear construction would be of value to industry. Consequently three guides were drafted and circulated in July 2011 across industry inviting widespread comment and input to be considered before final publication.

The draft guides cover the areas of Nuclear Safety and Quality Culture, Concrete Quality, and Welding each in the context of nuclear new build. The documents are aimed at providing best practice guidance to all companies from utilities and potential plant owners through to all levels in the supply chain.

The deadline to submit feedback was at the beginning of September and having received a host of constructive comments the group will now meet to discuss and finalise the guides for publication in October/November. This workshop meeting will also consider other potential topics derived from the original lessons learned report where the industry feel guidance documents could add value.

For more information on these guides and future publications please visit the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) website.