A Spotlight on Tap Report Use in Nuclear
How has Tap Report helped streamline inspections in the field?
We have used Tap Report for Ignition Source permits, Combustible Material inspections, and Fire Extinguisher inspections; we're currently adding other areas to the platform as well. The Tap Report system has helped us keep better records on the inspections we complete for code compliance. It's also easy to view the history of inspections and upcoming checks such as when extinguishers need to be hydrostatic checked, annual check, etc.
Describe the process for creating a list of findings and photos before and after joining Tap Report.
The CMS process before Tap Report was very manual. We would go into the field, take pictures, then download the pictures. After download, we would add the pictures to a special excel sheet which would include manual entry of additional notes and send to all parties. Now we just go out in the field and the Tap Report system allows us to take pictures, add notes and instantly produce the matrix and reports that used to take 3-4 people all week to do. We gave the Tap Report team the reports we use and they configured it for us in the system. The report looks the same as it always did, but it's so much quicker now. Steve’s team is very quick in completing modifications to the reports also. If we find we need to modify something, it's usually done within the day.
Describe the procedure for correcting various non-compliance levels before and after joining Tap Report.
Before Tap Report we would take a picture, that person would then download the picture and another person would then put in it into the matrix and send it off to the guilty party to fix. This process would usually take a couple of days (dangerous conditions would be dealt with upon discovery, which is still the case now). With Tap Report, they can download the report and send it to the same party in a fraction of the time, allowing issues to get cleaned up the same day as opposed to days later under the old process.
Have you received any feedback from your department after joining Tap Report?
Everyone likes it from top-down. The new process takes less manpower so the Director likes it. It's also less work so the workers like it. There is a learning curve at the start but once they have mastered it they find it much better than the old ways of doing things. Even the guys who are not that great on the computer find it easy to use.
Have you received any feedback from the CNSC after joining Tap Report?
At this present time we have not heard from the CNSC but when asked to provide reports for them, they are very happy with the quick turnaround and are pleased with the report format. For example, they wanted to see the inspections on the Fire Hose Cabinets with a certain elevation level last year. So instead of having to go to the records department to get the files and then separate them from the other checks, we simply used the filters in the Tap Report system, input the dates asked for and input the elevations with the keyword FHC. This brought up exactly what they wanted to see and it was done in minutes.