OPERATION STANDARDS COMMON WITH MAINTENANCE STANDARDS
Standard 1: Safety
(Similar to Maintenance Standard I A)
The protection of life and limb for the work force is paramount. GAOs have a comprehensive safety program in place at each site. The company behavior ensures that personnel at all levels of the organization consider safety as the overriding priority. This is manifested in decisions and actions based on this priority. The work environment and the policies and procedures foster such a safety culture, and the attitudes and behaviors of personnel are consistent with the policies and procedures.
Guidelines for Standard 1: Safety
A. Personnel at all levels in the organization contribute to the safety culture of the work environment through:
1. Demonstrating a great respect for safety in all actions and decisions.
2. Demonstrating a questioning attitude by challenging existing conditions, considering the potential adverse consequences prior to proceeding, and willingness to stop work in the face of uncertainty.
3. Demonstrating a willingness to identify problems and ensure they are corrected.
4. Accepting accountability for their own performance, including recognizing shortfalls and acting to improve their performance.
5. Holding their co-workers accountable for their performance.
6. Using peer checking as a means of protecting themselves and others.
B. Managers in the organization contribute to the safety culture of the work environment through:
1. Establishing standards and clearly communicating expectations that safety is the highest priority.
2. Maintaining an environment that welcomes identification and communication of problems.
3. Reinforcing individual behaviors that promptly and forthrightly identify problems.
C. Work practice norms in the organization promote the safety culture in that:
1. Appropriate defenses, such as technical accuracy, precautions, cautions and notes, are explicitly embedded in procedures, processes, and equipment configuration to minimize the occurrences and consequences of inappropriate actions.
2. Clearly defined responsibility and authority for implementing a conservative approach with respect to stopping activities and seeking assistance or guidance when faced with uncertain conditions are communicated to all personnel. This expectation is reinforced frequently.
3. Safety concerns are promptly identified and resolved.
4. Training reinforces safety practices and expected behaviors.
Standard 2: Organizational Structure and Responsibilities
(Similar to Maintenance Standard 1B)
The organization with responsibility and accountability for establishing and implementing an operation strategy to support company objectives for reliable plant operation is clearly defined, communicated, understood and is effectively implemented. Reporting relationships, control of resources, and individual authorities support and are clearly defined and commensurate with responsibilities.
Guidelines for Standard 2: Organizational Structure and Responsibilities
A. The organizational structure and the responsibilities and authorities of each organizational position are clearly defined and communicated to plant personnel as required by their assignments.
B. Interfaces with supporting organizations, including company work groups such as transmission and distribution, fuel suppliers, contractors, and temporary workers, are clearly defined and understood.
C. Decisions are made at the appropriate level within the organization, considering:
1. The understanding of the effect on personnel safety and equipment reliability.
2. The value added to, and the potential adverse effects on, plant operation under all conditions.
3. The effects on other work groups.
D. Technical and managerial support is readily available.
E. Administrative controls such as policies, procedures, and schedules are implemented for activities affecting safe and reliable plant operation, including personnel fitness for duty.
F. Processes that contribute to safe and reliable plant operation are designed, managed, and improved.
G. The GAO ensures that personnel have appropriate training on and follow any necessary policies, procedures, standards and controls applicable to their scope of work.
H. Personnel are adequately trained and equipped to mitigate the consequences of normal or emergency conditions and to manage reasonably anticipated emergency situations.
Standard 3: Operations Management and Leadership
(Similar to Maintenance Standard 1C)
Operations management establishes high standards of performance and aligns the operations organization to effectively implement and control operations activities.
Guidelines for Standard 3: Operations Management and Leadership
A. Leadership and Accountability
1. High standards of performance are established and reinforced for operations activities. Personnel are held accountable for implementing these standards. Shortfalls in meeting expectations are evaluated, understood, and addressed promptly.
2. Operations management demonstrates a broad knowledge of their areas of responsibility and effectively integrates operations organization actions with the functions and activities of other appropriate station and company organizations.
3. Operations managers encourage communication across organizational lines.
4. Personnel throughout the organization understand organization-wide goals.
5. By example, operations management consistently demonstrates its commitment to improve plant performance and to achieve plant goals and objectives.
6. Operations management is accountable for the training, qualification, and performance of operations personnel.
7. Operations management is trained on and effectively implements skills that result in improved teamwork, collaboration, and motivation.
8. Personnel are actively encouraged to admit errors, seek help when they are faced with uncertainty, and assume responsibility for their decisions.
B. Management Direction and Expectations
1. Operations management's directions, such as goals, initiatives, expectations, and priorities, are effectively used to enable personnel to make decisions, take actions, and implement changes that contribute to safe and reliable plant operation.
2. Goals are established to challenge the organization to continually improve. Results are measurable and are periodically evaluated to determine effectiveness.
3. Strategic direction for improving performance is established and clearly communicates the priorities for long-term and near-term performance to operations personnel.
4. Priorities for daily activities are clearly communicated to affected personnel.
5. Operations management reinforces individual ownership through delegation of authority. Personnel are actively encouraged to admit errors, seek help when needed, assume responsibility for their decisions and actions, and develop methods to improve safety, reliability, quality, and productivity.
6. Administrative controls are implemented for activities that affect safe and reliable plant operations. Examples of activities that should be controlled include job turnovers, use of procedures, use of special tools and lifting equipment, and use and traceability of measuring and testing equipment.
7. Personnel working in the operations area have appropriate training on and follow necessary policies, procedures, standards and controls applicable to their scope of work.
C. Planning and Implementing
1. Operations management ascertains that plant staffing and resources are sufficient, including that operations personnel have requisite knowledge, skill, proficiency, and familiarity with the operations of the plant(s) where they perform operations to accomplish tasks to achieve safe and reliable plant operation.
2. The GAO's organizational structure for operations is clearly defined. Responsibilities and authorities of each position are understood.
3. Personnel tasks, responsibilities, authorities, expectations for performance, and interfaces with contract and temporary personnel are clearly defined and understood.
4. Responsibilities for communicating and coordinating between organizational groups are clearly defined and understood.
5. Future resource needs, such as personnel, capital, equipment and parts, and information, are identified and integrated into business plans.
6. Changes to plant equipment, procedures, and processes are planned and implemented systematically to improve safe and reliable station operation. Changes to objectives, responsibilities, and implementation schedules are clearly communicated to affected personnel, and appropriate training is provided.
7. Changes to initiatives are managed and coordinated.
D. Monitoring and Assessing
Operations management effectively monitors and assesses the performance of operations activities in the following areas:
1. Component Performance
2. Heat Rate (or Steam Rate) Improvement
3. Personnel Development
4. Training Performance
5. Dispatch Response
6. Outage Performance
7. Regulatory Audit Performance
8. Adherence to operation standards, policies and procedures, especially worker safety.
9. Work practices and worker skills and knowledge.
10. Performance of services provided by outside organizations, contractors or temporary workers.
11. Work management implementation, including use of schedules, work packages, documentation of work for work history, and providing work status updates.
12. Equipment Performance and Material Condition
13. General Area Housekeeping
14. Developing and using performance measures to monitor organization performance. Typical measures might include, but not be limited to:
a. Operations Work Backlogs
b. Amount of Rework
c. Work Management Indicators
15. Operations management effectively follows up on issues identified or problems noted and provides feedback to affected parties. Reinforcement of desired behaviors is also provided.
16. Operations management frequently interacts with operations and plant personnel to coach and mentor desired behaviors.
E. Follow-up, Reinforcement, and Feedback
1. Operations management initiates changes and corrective actions to improve the performance effectiveness of personnel, processes, and equipment.
2. Operations management acknowledges the accomplishments of others and the importance of individual contributions to overall performance. Operations management reinforces behaviors that improve performance.
3. Operations management coordinates resources to accomplish goals and objectives safely and reliably. Adjustments are made and corrective actions are taken to accomplish goals. Timely corrective actions are taken when adverse conditions or trends are identified.
4. Operations problems, including events and materiel deficiencies that affect plant operations, are tracked and investigated.
Standard 4: Problem Resolution and Continuing Improvement
(Similar to Maintenance Standard I D)
The GAO values and fosters an environment of continuous improvement and timely and effective problem resolution.
Guidelines for Standard 4: Problem Resolution and Continuing Improvement
Self-assessment activities are used to compare actual performance to management's expectations, and to identify and correct areas needing improvement. While self-assessments, by definition, are driven from within, they may be used to measure internal performance to external criteria, such as CAISO, EPA or OSHA. Self-assessment is both a discreet activity and a continuous process that may include such activities as:
B. Problem Reporting, Root-Cause Analysis, and Corrective Actions
A systematic approach and process is used to identify and report problems, determine the cause(s) and establish corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Attributes of successful programs include:
1. Encouraging personnel to report problems at low thresholds of significance.
2. Using a graded approach to significance, and performing more extensive root cause determination to those problems having high significance, and trend and track those with low significance.
3. Trending capability on information such as "cause code" or equipment or process involved.
Standard 5: Operations Personnel Knowledge and Skills
(Similar to Maintenance Standard II A)
Operations personnel are trained and qualified to possess and apply the knowledge and skills needed to perform operations activities that support safe and reliable plant operation.
Guidelines for Standard 5: Operations Personnel Knowledge and Skills
A. Operations personnel capabilities and aptitude meet established entry criteria for their assigned positions.
B. Operations personnel possess job-related knowledge and skills.
C. Goals of on-the-job training are identified before training begins. Testing and recording of achievement of those goals are completed before personnel are assigned to perform tasks independently.
D. Continuing training is implemented when appropriate to maintain and enhance knowledge and skills and to address areas such as plant equipment and changes in procedures, infrequently used and difficult skills and lessons learned from operating experience.
E. Training and evaluation methods and standards are sufficient to verify trainee competence for assigned functions.
F. Initial and continuing training, including programs to develop and maintain managerial skills, are effectively implemented.
G. Contract and temporary operations personnel possess knowledge and skills equivalent to those of station operations personnel for their assigned functions and are task-qualified prior to independent work assignment.
H. Facilities, equipment, and tools are provided and maintained to effectively support training activities.
Standard 6: Training Support
(Similar to Maintenance Standard II B)
A systematic approach to training is used to achieve, improve, and maintain a high level of personnel knowledge, skill, and performance. Each GAO provides a site-specific training program including on-the-job training, covering operations, including reasonably anticipated abnormal and emergency operations. Personnel are trained commensurate with their duties.
Guidelines for Standard 6: Training Support
A. Managers are responsible and accountable for the training and qualification of personnel assigned to their work groups.
B. Training administrative controls address the following requirements, as appropriate:
1. Training Program Content
2. Management of Training
3. Qualification of Training Personnel
4. Analysis, Design, and Development of Training
5. Classroom Training
6. In-plant and Laboratory Training
7. Simulator Training
8. Evaluation of Training Effectiveness
C. Training is used to improve personnel performance.
D. Management expectations and standards are reinforced during training.
E. A systematic process is used to develop needed training.
F. Training management supports the organization by maintaining an awareness of current industry training issues, identifying issues relevant to GAO plants and initiating relevant training.
G. A systematic assessment process is used to determine training needs for managers, including leadership, management, technical, administrative, and decision-making skills.
H. Personnel are appropriately trained and task-qualified before they work independently.
I. General personnel training provides personnel with a basic understanding of personnel responsibilities and safe work practices and with the knowledge and practical abilities necessary to effectively implement their work.
Standard 7: Operation Procedures and Documentation
(Similar to Maintenance Standard IV A)
Operation procedures exist for critical systems and states of those systems necessary for the operation of the unit including startup, shutdown, normal operation, and reasonably anticipated abnormal and emergency conditions. Operation procedures and documents are clear and technically accurate, provide appropriate direction, and are used to support safe and reliable plant operation. Procedures are current to the actual methods being employed to accomplish the task and are comprehensive to ensure reliable energy delivery to the transmission grid.
Guidelines for Standard 7: Operation Procedures and Documentation
A. The preparation, review, approval, and revision of procedures and documents are properly controlled and timely.
B. Documents used in lieu of procedures, such as excerpts from vendor manuals, receive sufficient review and approval to verify accuracy needed to support the intended use.
C. New and revised procedures are reviewed for technical accuracy prior to initial use and are verified for correctness and usability prior to/or during initial use.
D. Procedures are clear and concise and contain sufficient information for users to understand and perform activities effectively, through the following elements:
1. Operating Procedures are grouped by unit and further subdivided by major systems.
2. Technical details such as setpoints, tolerances, control logic, and equipment numbers are correct and consistent among procedures, drawings, valve lineup sheets, and system descriptions.
3. Procedures specify portions or steps of other documents that are to be referenced or used when a procedure is performed.
4. Human factor considerations, such as the sequence of procedure steps and the placement of notes and caution statements, are incorporated into procedures to reduce the likelihood of error.
5. The level of detail in procedures is consistent with the training and qualification of the users.
6. Operation procedures and documents should include the generation equipment and all those components owned by the GAO directly connected to the plant that are an integral part of delivering power to the grid including fuel supply systems, electrical switchyards, transmissions lines, penstocks, flumes, exhaust system, etc.
E. Hold points, such as quality checks, are included in procedures as appropriate.
F. Temporary changes to procedures, if used, are controlled, taking into consideration the following:
1. Appropriate review and authorization prior to use.
2. User awareness of applicable temporary changes.
3. Timely incorporation into permanent revisions, when appropriate.
G. Procedures, documents, drawings, and other work-related references are readily accessible, authorized, clearly identified, controlled, technically accurate, and up to date.
H. Operation instructional aids reflect procedure guidance.
I. Procedures are periodically reviewed for technical accuracy, human factors, considerations, and inclusion of lessons learned from operating experience.
J. Procedure users are encouraged to provide feedback to procedure writers to identify such items as inaccuracies, difficulties in use, and suggestions for improvement.
Standard 8: Plant Status and Configuration
(Similar to Maintenance Standard V B)
Station activities are effectively managed so plant status and configuration are maintained to support safe, reliable and efficient operation.
Guidelines for Standard 8: Plant Status and Configuration
A. Plant Status Control
1. Personnel are cognizant of the status of plant systems and equipment under their control and of the nature of work being performed.
2. Personnel authorize activities that affect the status of installed systems and equipment.
3. Personnel maintain a focus on important plant parameters during maintenance situations and identify and address conditions that may be affecting plant parameters as a result of the work activities.
4. Personnel assess the operability of important equipment. Information about equipment deficiencies, existing plant configuration, and the design bases for the equipment is used in the assessment. Personnel have adequate training on, or receive adequate support in those areas as necessary to support the assessment such as engineering, maintenance, or chemistry, and other technical support.
5. Policies and procedures for controlling plant status are effectively implemented. Provisions for special situations, such as extended outages, and post trip recovery, are included.
6. Controls for infrequently performed tests and evolutions maintain the plant within the design basis. Procedures used to control infrequently performed tests and evolutions are reviewed for operational impacts and safety concerns before each test or evolution. Prior training and walkthrough of procedures by the affected personnel verify the controls and identify appropriate contingency actions. Pre-evolution briefings are conducted.
7. The position of valves is important to operation and are known and accurately recorded.
8. Independent (or concurrent, if appropriate) verification of component position is performed for equipment important to safety and/or critical to reliable plant operation.
9. Checklists or other comparable means are used to verify that proper conditions are established for each mode of plant operation and for mode changes.
10. Procedures are implemented to control the placement of caution, warning, information and other similar tags on plant equipment and operator aids in the plant.
11. Procedures are implemented to control the placement, removal, and periodic review of temporary modifications for equipment, such as electrical jumpers, lifted leads, mechanical jumpers, hoses, pipe blanks, and spool pieces.
B. Configuration Control
1. Authorities and responsibilities related to the design control process are defined and communicated and are understood by affected personnel.
2. Operational specifications and restrictions imposed by the plant design are appropriately communicated and incorporated into plant programs, procedures, practices, and training.
3. Plant design and status documents are accurate and accessible to plant personnel.
4. Lessons learned from user feedback, maintenance history, and operating experience are used to improve configuration control processes.
5. Modification designs undergo interdisciplinary technical reviews, and the results are incorporated into the plant design basis.
6. Each modification is planned, scheduled, and tracked throughout design, installation, testing, turnover to operations, training of affected personnel, and completion of document revisions.
7. Temporary modifications are controlled and periodically reviewed for continued need. The number of temporary modifications is minimized. Those needed on a permanent basis are converted in a timely manner.
8. Designs and supporting information, including computer software and special or unique calculations are verified and approved prior to use.
9. Design field changes receive technical reviews and approvals similar to the original.
10. Documents affected by plant modifications such as drawings, procedures, and equipment indexes commonly used for system operation, tagouts, and maintenance, are updated before the modifications are turned over to operations. Documents need not be completed until after post-modification testing.
11. The as-built configuration of modified systems is verified.
12. Personnel are trained on changes prior to operating or maintaining modified equipment. Affected procedures, operational drawings, and work documents are revised before modified equipment is operated or maintained. Documents need not be completed until after post-modification testing.
13. Station simulators and/or training materials should be updated before personnel are trained on modified equipment.
Standard 9: Engineering and Technical Support
(Similar to Maintenance Standard VIIB)
Engineering activities are conducted such that equipment performance supports reliable plant operation. Engineering provides the technical information necessary for the plant to be operated and maintained within the operating parameters defined by plant design. Engineering provides support, when needed, to operations and maintenance groups to resolve operations and maintenance problems.
Guidelines for Standard 9: Engineering and Technical Support
A. Appropriate engineering support is provided for plant operational activities, such as identifying, analyzing, and resolving conditions that can impact the plant design bases.
B. Engineering activities are performed by or under the direct supervision of personnel who have completed applicable educational and qualification guidance for the tasks to be performed.
C. Engineering support personnel use technical information, such as design analyses, operating experience information, and fundamental engineering principles to provide recommendations on plant operations.
D. Appropriate engineering support is provided to help meet the goals of the unit and plant. Support is provided for planning outages, including determination of their scope, the efficient use of resources, the need for operations support, consideration of risk management, control of configuration, and the needed duration. Long-range planning is effectively used for engineering activities, such as performance of major modifications and the implementation of engineering changes.
E. Appropriate engineering support is provided to monitor and evaluate equipment and system performance by examining and trending the results of condition-monitoring activities, reviewing equipment failure history, analyzing availability/reliability information, and performing system walkdowns. Follow-up actions, based on identified problems, trends and root cause determinations, are timely and effective.
F. Comprehensive post-modification testing is conducted so that equipment necessary for safe and reliable plant operation will perform within established limits. The testing program includes a description of scope and responsibilities, scheduling mechanisms, test procedures, and methods for program updates.
G. Appropriate engineering support is provided for the effective operations of the plant. Engineering is aware of and proactively pursues operations issues.
H. Processes are in place to communicate technical information and recommendations to the operations personnel.
I. Engineering support personnel are familiar with the unit's operating history and use this knowledge to prevent and resolve equipment problems and improve plant performance.
J. Engineering support personnel use outside experts, such as vendor representatives or other utility expertise, as necessary, to resolve plant problems. Appropriate controls are implemented to confirm the quality of the support and products supplied by non-plant organizations.
K. Engineering support personnel evaluate industry advances in technology and practices, and incorporate such advances into the plant to improve or maintain equipment performance and availability consistent with the Unit Plan.
L. Engineering support personnel are cognizant of generic technical issues. These issues are reviewed for applicability at the plant, and appropriate actions are initiated.
M. Engineering support personnel maintain a long-term view of plant performance, anticipate issues that could impact long-term plant performance, and develop strategies to address these issues.
N. Engineering programs, such as those for monitoring flow-accelerated corrosion, in-service testing and inspections, and leak rate testing, are clearly defined and effectively implemented.
Standard 10: Environmental Regulatory Requirements
(Similar to Maintenance Standard VII D)
Environmental regulatory compliance is paramount in the operation of the generating asset. Each regulatory event is identified, reported and appropriate action taken to prevent recurrence.
Guidelines for Standard 10: Environmental Regulatory Requirements
A. Plant activities are managed to comply with all applicable laws, regulations and permits regarding the generation of effluents and emissions.
B. Liquid waste tank levels are monitored periodically to detect unexpected changes.
C. Liquid wastes are identified and segregated during collection according to the treatment specified for each waste stream.
D. Processed waste is sampled and analyzed for impurities prior to release or reuse in plant systems.
E. Established criteria are used to routinely evaluate effluent and emission processing equipment, such as stack gas treatment systems, or filters, demineralizers.
F. Effluent and emission monitors accurately measure, record, and provide alarms for key parameters, as needed. Effluent monitors are properly maintained and calibrated.
Standard 11: Operations Facilities, Tools and Equipment
(Similar to Maintenance Standard IX A)
Facilities and equipment are adequate to effectively support operations activities.
Guidelines for Standard 11: Operation Facilities, Tools and Equipment
A. Facility size and arrangement promote safe and effective work and training activities. Human factors are considered when designing and arranging equipment. Appropriate facilities are provided for work on equipment involving hazardous materials.
B. Work area lighting and other environmental conditions promote safe and effective working conditions. Computer installations and control panels are ergonomically sound.
C. Work areas are maintained in a clean and orderly condition.
D. Tools, equipment, and consumable supplies are available to support work.
Appropriate equipment is available for loading, lifting, and transporting equipment.
E. Suitable storage is provided for tools, supplies, and equipment. Necessary tools, jigs, and fixtures are identified and stored to permit ready retrieval.
F. Rigging equipment and scaffolding are identified, tested, and properly stored.
G. Facilities, equipment, and tools are maintained in good repair.
H. Measuring and test equipment is calibrated and controlled to provide accuracy and traceability. Out-of-tolerance test equipment is removed from service. Plant equipment maintained with out of tolerance test equipment is evaluated in a timely manner for operability, and deficiencies are corrected as necessary.
I. Equipment is accessible for operations activities.
J. Communications equipment is provided and is available to support operations activities.
