TQ-210 Simulator Trng

Question 1

What does category mean in terms of simulator training?

Answer 1

Category: A specifically designed area for crew or individual performance that is based on defined competencies.

Question 2

What does Critical Task mean in terms of simulator training?

Answer 2

Critical Task: A task that is safety significant to the plant or public and includes objective measures for determning whether the performance of an individual or crew is satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

Question 3

What elements must a Critical Task include?

Answer 3

Safety Significance: A CT is a task that is essential to safety. A task is essential to safety if its improper performance or omission by an operator will result in direct adverse consequences or significant degradation in mitigative capability of the plant.

Initiating Cue: An initiating cue is an expected signal or notice (indication, alarm, communication, or procedure step) that designates when a CT should be performed.

Measurable Performance Standard: Consists of positive actions that an observer can objectively identify taken by at least one member of the crew.

Performance Feedback: Each CT performance feedback must be available to at least one member of the crew. This feedback provides the crew member with information about the effect of the crew’s actions or inaction in the CT. The crew must be able to oversee that its action had an impact or that its inaction is causing plant conditions to degrade.

Question 4

What does Demonstration Training mean in terms of simulator training?

Answer 4

Allows for both instructor and trainee questions to be posed and answered.

It is showing trainees by example how operations are to be conducted, assist in reinforcing system or equipment knowledge, provide a theory fundamentals example, or re-enforement of a classroom topic.

Question 5

What does Lead Evaluator mean in terms of simulator training?

Answer 5

A qualified simulator instructor that has the responsiblitiy of ensuring the proper administration of simulator evaluations in accordance with this procedure.

Question 6

What does Overide mean in terms of simulator training?

Answer 6

The ability to interrupt or modify the input/output (I/O) data transfer between the simulator mathematical models and the panel instrumentation.

Question 7

What does Performance Mode mean in terms of simulator training?

Answer 7

A method that may be used to gain insights into crew performance.

A non-evaluated training session conducted in the simulator that is run in general from start to finish with minimal instructor intervention or freeze points.

Question 8

What is a Tier 1 Evaluation Standard?

Answer 8

Tier 1 failure is defined as being related only to regulatory criteria (critical task non-compliance or regulatory based competencies, Part A of evaluation form.

Question 9

What is a Tier 2 standard?

Answer 9

A Tier 2 failure is defined as being related to Operator Fundamentals Competencies as documented in Part B of the evaluation form.

Question 10

What is a Tier 3 standard?

Answer 10

Tier 3 failure is defined as a management discretion failure related to failing to meet important Operational expectations or standards.

Question 11

What does Training Mode mean in terms of simulator training?

Answer 11

A segment of or a complete training exercise that is not part of an evaluation where varying levels of instructor-student interaction occur, using simulator freeze and backtrack to point out parameter trends, demonstrate operating principals, and identify and correct errors as they are made.

Question 12

What does Validation mean in terms of simulator training?

Answer 12

An activity confirming that the operator actions listed in the simulator exercise guide are the important, required actions and the training objectives are met by the scenario. Additionally, simulator response including effects of malfunctions is assessed with the validation crew’s input for validity.

Question 13

What are the responsibilities of Training Staff under EN-TQ-210, Conduct of Simulator Training?

Answer 13

• Responsible for the preparation, validation, conduct, evaluation and documentation of simulator training in accordance with all applicable procedures.
• Responsible for providing feedback on simulator performance including the documentation of simulator discrepancies by submitting Discrepancy Reports.
• Responsible for distinguishing and performing Scenario Based Testing as required.
• Provide the day-to-day scheduling of simulator activities.

Question 14

How are simulator freeze and backtrack function utilized in simulator training?

Answer 14

The use of planned and/or contingency freezes should be considered in the development of simulator exercise guides.

Simulator freeze and backtrack functions should be used to reinforce parameter trends, equipment resonse, demonstrate proper operator fundamentals and to correct performance gaps as they are made during training.

Question 15

What is reviewed with trainee crew’s at the start of each week of simulator training?

Answer 15

1. Simulator hardware/software modifications or problems that may impact the simulator session(s).
2. Significant differences between the simulator and the plant that may impact the simulator session(s).
3. Plant deficiencies that are modeled for the current training cycle.
4. A review of ground rules for simulator training, stressing professionalism, realism, procedure use, emergency plan notifications, and so forth.
5. A discussion on what each crew or individual is working on for focused improvements (Operator Fundamentals, Human Performance).

Question 16

What should normally be occur during each scenario?

Answer 16

Documentation of a timeline capturing event initiations, crew/individual actions, T.S. entries, and emergency classifications.

Capture of operator performance relative to scenario objectives, Operator Fundamentals, Human Performance and Management Expectations.

Capture demonstrated attributes of conservative decisions/strong safety culture. [SOER 10-2 Rec.1d]

Implementation of designated scenario freeze points, demonstrations or discussions.

Coaching and intervention as appropriate (not allowed during performance mode).

Verification that all tasks credited by the training are complete prior to scenario termination or the instructor must document the tasks/objectives not covered in a tracking action and notifies the Ops
Training Superintendent.

Question 17

In addition to scripted freeze points, when should a simulator instructor stop the scenario?

Answer 17

1. Actions performed that are not within the guidelines of the procedures.
2. Actions performed that challenge sound operating practicies or safety culture.
3. Students appear confused.
4. To point out a proper response or operation.
5. Student request.

Question 18

What is a static simulator session designed to accomplish?

Answer 18

Designed for and may be used to refresh and improve the operators’ knowledge, diagnostic and analytical skills in the areas of:

1. Knowledge of plant systems
2. Integrated plant operations
3. Recognition of TS LCO’s
4. Procedure Content
5. Mitigation Strategies
6. Effects of postulated events

Position specific scripted questions and/or activities SHALL be prepared based upon objectives of the training.

Question 19

For an annual simulator evaluation, how many evaluators are required per trainee?

Answer 19

1 Evaluator for every 2 examinees.

Question 20

How many simulator evaluations are licensed operators expected to be evaluated in over the course of a two year program cycle?

Answer 20

Six, including the annual operating exams

Question 21

What is the purpose of scripted questions in a simulator evaluation?

Answer 21

Not used for evaluation purposes. Processed as program feedback and analyzed for potential inclusion in future training.

• Questions should take approximately 10 minutes
• Minimum of 1 question per crew member
• Questions developed to ensure understanding of integrated plant response, system operation, theory, or decison making.

Question 22

How are surrogates utilized to fill a crew for evaluation purposes?

Answer 22

• To complete the crew compliment for an evaluation, OPS manager can authorize use of surrogate operators. Should be SRO certified, but not required.
• Must have knowledge and ability to fulfill the role.
• Must be briefed on and understand all content of the scenario and their expected actions in every event.
• It is not for licensees being evaluated to assume responsibilities beyond the scope of their normal position.

Question 23

How are business computers utilized during scenarios?

Answer 23

Only programs necessary for job function are used.

Question 24

What does an evaluation team member do during a scenario?

Answer 24

Minimum 2 evaluators

1. Position themselves such that an unobstructed view of assigned examinee actions and communications can be seen and heard.
2. Document a timeline capturing event initiations, crew/individual actions, T.S. entries, and emergency classifications.
3. Capture operator performance relative to Critical Tasks, Operator Fundamentals, Human Performance and Management Expectations.

Question 25

What does the Evaluation Team discuss immediately following an evaluated scenario?

Answer 25

1. Determine if all critical tasks were valid and satisfied or if a critical task was invalidated by crew actions.
   
   • If any critical tasks were invalidated, determine if the scenario becomes invalid as an evaluation scenario and the need to conduct an additional evaluation.
2. Determine if any new critical tasks were created by the crew or individual actions.
3. The evaluation team will determine if additional information is required from any crew member to aid in the scenario evaluation, including SM/CRS E-Plan classification (if required), and assign an evaluator to gather that information.

Question 26

What are the three grading options for periodic examinations? Annual?

Answer 26

1. Satisfactory
2. Marginal
3. Unsatisfactory

Marginal is not allowed during annual exams.

Question 27

What requires documentation for grading of individuals in scenarios?

Answer 27

Individual grading documentation is required for any of the following:

1. Significant individual performance shortfalls
2. Errors that contributed to critical task failures
3. An overall crew grade of Marginal.

Minor indivual performance shortfalls are documented as crew comments.

Question 28

How are E-Plan failures remidiated?

Answer 28

En-TQ-110, Emergency Preparedness Training

Question 29

Are performance improvement areas required to be documented during a floor critique?

Answer 29

Yes, while not required to conform with Attachment 9.2 requirements, Conduct of Simulator Critiques, documentation to track performanc improvment areas is required.

Question 30

What are four general requirements for conducting critiques?

Answer 30

All critiques SHALL stress the behaviors demonstrated by the crew and the need to change behaviors to improve performance.

1. A qualified Instructor that participated in the exercise SHALL be present during the crew critique.
2. Operations management should participate in simulator critiques following simulator evaluations, and training when possible, to help to re-enforce management expectations.
3. Critiques should be held in a quiet area free from external distractions.

There are more, with additional guideance in Attachment 9.2

Question 31

What does a validation of a Simulator Exercise Guides confirm?

Answer 31

1. The operator actions listed in the guide are the important, required actions and the training objectives are met by the scenario.
2. The required instructor/crew interaction (planned freezes, hold points, external communications) provide the best approach for implementation.
3. Operator Fundamentals are included and required for overt reinforcement where appropriate.
4. The timing and severity of malfunctions is accurate in terms of expected plant response.
5. Simulator response to the simulated conditions is valid and reflects the expected response of the plant.

Question 32

What does a validation of a Simulator Valuation Guides confirm?

Answer 32

1. The operator actions listed in the guide are the important, required actions and the training objectives are met by the scenario.
2. The required instructor/crew interaction (planned freezes, hold points, external communications) provide the best approach for implementation.
3. Operator Fundamentals are included and required for overt reinforcement where appropriate.
4. The timing and severity of malfunctions is accurate in terms of expected plant response.
5. Simulator response to the simulated conditions is valid and reflects the expected response of the plant.
6. Simulator response to the simulated conditions is valid and reflects the expected response of the plant.

The validation should identify where operator actions that are also acceptable that may change the course of the scenario and where possible the scenario modified to eliminate alternate success paths.

Question 33

When is a Discrepancy Report requried?

Answer 33

Hardware or software problems SHALL be addressed by generating a Discrepancy Report (DR) in accordance with EN-TQ-202, Simulator Configuration Control.