2015 Volume 38 Issue 2 Pages 33-44
Secure management of nuclear power plants requires workers to be of sound mental health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the occupational stressors faced by workers in nuclear power plants in order to propose practical measures to improve their mental health. The target population of this study consisted of nondestructive testing personnel and radiation control personnel (radiation control personnel supervise and coach workers, including nondestructive testing personnel, on radiation protection) in periodic inspections of nuclear power plants. Participants (n = 87) completed a self-administered questionnaire that measured variables such as interpersonal issues on the job, cooperation from coworkers, and the number of vacation days given. The results indicated that “interpersonal issues on the job” (e.g., “there is a possibility that they incur a great danger to a lot of people due to their own misjudgment or lack of instructions”) was a stronger stressor. Moreover, a low level of cooperation from coworkers and an inadequate number of vacation days were found to affect the mental health of radiation control personnel. We therefore provide suggestions for effective management of radiation control personnel in terms of opportunity for long-term training for skill acquisition, number of days off work, and culture in the nuclear power plant.
