Enhancing Safety in the Construction of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Microreactors (MRs) through Improving Guidelines and Involving Digital Technology Tools

The construction phase of nuclear construction projects presents various risks and hazards, putting workers in potentially dangerous situations. Safety guidelines provided by Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) aim to address construction safety concerns, but limitations persist, especially in the context of workers safety and the transportation of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Micro Reactors (MRs) in the nuclear construction domain. This research focuses on identifying issues related to safety guidelines in nuclear construction and aims to develop new guidelines and strengthen existing ones. Through a critical literature review, key factors influencing safety in nuclear construction were identified. A questionnaire survey was prepared in line with those identified key safety factors and distributed among 40 professionals from the United States to gather feedback on these factors in countering safety issues and developing new guidelines in the context of nuclear construction. The findings reveal a lack of specific guidelines concerning the safe transportation of SMRs and MRs, as well as a gap in understanding accidents during the construction and transportation phases of nuclear projects. The results of this research contribute to enhancing safety protocols and addressing the unique challenges faced in nuclear construction. The research has also highlighted the importance of digital technology tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) as emerging digital tools, which could be helpful to counter safety concerns linked to SMRs and MRs in future.