ML102500640
| ML102500640 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Prairie Island  |
| Issue date: | 09/07/2010 |
| From: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel |
| SECY RAS | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML102500629 | List: |
| References | |
| 50-282-LR, 50-306-LR, ASLBP 08-871-01-LR-BD01, RAS 18573 | |
| Download: ML102500640 (3) | |
Text
{{#Wiki_filter:NRC000030 professionalism by both management standards for licenSing nuclear power and plant operators. plant operators. EFFECTIVE DATE: January 24. 1989. The Commission has addressed operator training and qualifications and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: fitness-for-duty in policy statements.* Jack W. Roe. Office of Nuclear Reactor The policy statement on training and Regulation. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory qualifications endorsed the Institute of Commission. Washington, DC 20555, Nuclear Power Operations (INPO)- Telephone: (301) 492-1004. managed Training Accreditation SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Program. The policy statement on nine.. for duty endorsed the concept that the Background workplace at nuclear power plants Is to It is essential that control room be drug and alcohol free. Fltness-for-operators are (1) well trained and duty rulemaking is under consideration qualified. (2) physically and mentally fit by the Commission. S to carry out their duties. and (3) Guidance regarding the conduct of attentive to plant status relevant to their licensed operator and control room responsibilities to ensure the continued operations has been addressed in an safe operation of nuclear facilities. It is NRC Circular and in NRC Information also esaentialthat management at each Notices.* Specifically. IE Information nuclear power reactor facility establish Notice 79-20. Revision 1. emphasized and maintain a professional working that only licensed operators are environment in which the licensed permitted to manipulate controls (10 operator may be fully successful in CFR SO.54(i)) and that a licensed discharging his or her safety operator is required to be present at the responsibilities. controls during facility operation (10 On a number of occasions. the NRC CFR 50.54(k)). IE Circular 81-{)2 provided has received reports and has found the follOWing guidance: (1) Knowledge of instances of operator inattentiveness the plant's status must be ensured and unprofessional behavior in control during shift changes by a formal watch 54FR3424 rooms of some operating facilities. tumover and relief. (2) licensed PubUahed 1/24/81 Reported instances include: (1) Ucensed operators must be alert and attentive to Effective 1/24/81 instruments and controls. (3) potentially operators observed to be apparently 10 CFR Parts 50 and 55 sleeping while on duty in the control distracting activities in the control room room or otherwise being inattentive to must be prohibited. (4) access to the Polley Statement on the Conduct of their license obligations. (2) operators control room must be limited. and (5) Nuclear Power Plant Operatlona using entertainment devices (for eating and training activities should not example. radios. tape players. and video compromise operator attentiveness or a AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory professional atmosphere. Information games) in the control room in a way that Commission. might distract their attention from Notice 85-53 reiterated the guidance of ACTION: Final policy statement. required safety*related duties. and (3) IE Circular 81-{)2. unauthorized individuals being allowed In Information Notice 87-21. the NRC
SUMMARY
- This policy statement i. being 10 manipulate reactivity controls. Such informed all nuclear power reactor issued to make clear the Commission's conduct is unacceptable and facilities and licensed operators about expectation of utility management and inconsistent with the operators' licensed certain licensed operators observed to licensed operators with respect to the duties. be apparently sleeping while on duty.
conduct of nuclear power plant The Commission has previously The notice reaffirmed the necessity for operations. The CommilBion believes addressed its expectations of operator high standards of control room that it is essential that utility conduct in Commission regulations and professionalism and operator management at each nuclear power regulatory guidance. Under 10 CFR allentativeness to ensure safe operation reactor facility establish and maintain a 50.54(k). "An operator or senior operator of nuclear power facilities. Further. professional working environment with licensed pursuant to Part 55 of this Information Notice 88-20 reiterated the a focus on safety In control rooms and chapter shall be present at the controls concem about unauthorized individuals throughout the plant. The Commission at all times during the operation of the manipulating controls and performing also believes that each individual facility." I The continuous presence of a control room activities. licensed by the NRC to operate the senior operator in the control room to The Commission Is aware that the controls of a nuclear power reactor must ensure that the operator at the controls industry has taken action to foster the be keenly aware that he or she holds the is able to perform the actions and/or development of professional codes of special trust and confidence of the mitigate an accident is required by conduct by operators and hal worked American people, conferred through the § SO.54(mj(2j(iii). Commission NRC license, and that hi. or her first regulations in 10 CFR Part 55 establish
- Policy Statement on Tralnlna and Quallflcetlon responsibili ty is to assure tha t the of Nuclear Power Plant PenoMel (50 FR 11147.
, Copies or Til/~ 10. Cod~ of F~.ra/ Re,u/Olions. March ZO. 1185: and amended 53 FR 40e03.
reactor is in a safe condition at all times. Ports 0 10 50 ond Potu 5110 1!19 (revi.ed January 1. November 18. 1888) and Policy Slatemeni on Fltne** This policy statement specifically 1888). may be purchased rrom the Superintenden, or ror Duty or Nuclear Power Planl Penonnel (51 FR describes the Commission's Document *. U.S Covernment Prinlina Office. by 27821. Auault4. 1888). expectations of utility management and ceUina (Z02) 27~zoeo or by wrilina to the U S
- Proposed Rul. on 10 CFR Part 28 Fltn*** *for*
Covernment Prinlina Office. P.O. Box 37082. Duty Pro,raml (53 FR 311785. Sept.mber 2Z. 1888). licensed operators In fulfilling NRC W ..hinaton. DC 20013-7082. Copi.. may at.o be 'IE Circular I1-C1Z, dated February II. 11181: regulations and prior guidance regarding purcha.ed rrom the Nationat Technicetlnrormation Inrormation Notice 78-ZO. Revilion 1. datad the conduct of control room operations. Service. 5285 Port Royal Road. Sprinafield. VA September 7. 18711; Inrormatlon Notice 85-13. datad The policy statement further provides 221111 A copy or 10 CFR il availabte ror inlpectlon Jllly 11. 1185: Inrormatlon Notice 87-21. datad May and lor copyin. ror I ree in the NRC Public 11. 11117: and Inrormatlon Nolice ~. dated May 5. the Commission's endorsement of Document Room. 2120 L Sireel NW Waahinaton. 11188 (avail.ble atth. NRC Pubtic Documant Room industry initiatives to enhance DC at21ZO L Street. NW .. Wa.hlnaton. DC).
NRC000030 toward establishing management freely communicltled: when errors of prHctice "at the controls". must be secure from principles for enhancing profellionalism are committed. lheir admilsion il particularly intrusion. Access should be strictly of nuclear penonnel. The Commiuion encouraged. By lhele meanl. an all pervading controlled by a deSignated authority: believes that luch an operator code of safety thinkin8 il achieved. allowing an only authorized personnel should be inherently questioning attitude. the permitted to be present in the control conduct developed by opera ton and prevention of complacency. a commitment to supported by utility management can excellence. and the fOltering of both perlonal room: and regulatory restrictions contribute to operator professionalism accountability and corporate leIC-regulation concerning manipulation of the controls and commends the Industry and in lafety mailers.' must be meticulously observed. especially the opera ton who Nuclear power plant operators have a -The operator at the controls. and contributed to these efforts. The professional responsibility to ensure the immediate supervisor. must be Commission encourages and supports that the facility is operated safely and continuously alert to plant conditions the prompt and effective implementation within the requirements of the facility's and ongoing activiti~s affecting plant of these industry initiatives at each license. including its technical operations. including conditions licensed power reactor. specifications and the regulations and external to the plant such as grid The Commission has decided to issue orders o( the NRC Mechanical and stability. meteorological conditions. and this policy statement to help foster the electrical systems and components change in support equipment statuI: development and maintenance of a required for safety can and do fail. operational occurrences should be safety culture at every facility licensed However. the automated safety features anticipated: alarms and off-nonnal by the NRC. and to make clear lis conditions should be promptly of the plant, together with the operator, expectations of utility management and responded to: and problems affecting can identify at an early Itage licensed opera ton In fulfilling NRC reactor operations should be corrected degradation in plant systems that could in a timely fashion. regulations and prior guidance regarding affect reactor safety. The operator can the conduct of control room operations. take action to mitigate the situation. -Activities within the control room Therefore. nuclear power plant should be limited to those necessary for Policy Statement the safe operation of the plant. operators on each shift must have The Commission believes that the knowledge of those aspects of plant Management should provide the working environment provided for the status relevant to their responsibilities, direction. facilities. and resources conduct of operations at nuclear power maintain their working environment free needed to accommodate activities not facilities has a direct relationship to of distractions. and using all their directly related to plant "perations. .afety. Management hal a duty and senses, be alert to prevent or mitigate -Activities outside the control room obligation to foster the development of a any operational problems. Each with the potential to affect plant ".afety culture" at each facility and to individual licensed by the NRC to operations. such as on-line maintenance provide a professional working operate the controls of a nuclear power and surveillance, should be fully environment. in the control room and reactor must be keenly aware that he or coordinated with the control room. throughout the facility. that a .. ures safe she holds the special trust and Effective methods for communication operations. Management must provide confidence of the American people, with or notification of the operator at the leadership that nurtures and conferred through the NRC license, and the controls should be established and perpetuates the safety culture. In this that his or her first responsibility is to maintained throughout each evolution. context. the term "safety culture" is assure that the reactor is in a safe -Written records of plant operations defined as follows: condition at all times. must be carefully prepared and The phr..e 'Iafety culture' refers to a very The following criteria reflect the maintained in accordance with general mailer. the personal dedication and Commission's expectations concerning requirements for such records and in accountability of allindividuall engaged in the conduct of operations in control sufficient detail to provide a full any activity which h.. a bearing on the rooms and licensed operators at nuclear understanding of operationally lafety of nuclear power plantl. The Itarting reactors consistent with 10 CPR 50.54 significant matten. point for the nece.lary full allention to lafety and guidance prOVided in an NRC -The working environment in the mailer. i. with Ihe lenlor management of all Circular and Information Notices: control room should be maintained to organization. concerned. PoUcl.. are -Conduct within the control room minimize distractions to the opera ton. eltabU.hed and Implamentad which en.ure should always be profeSSional and correct practice*. with the recognition the t Management should act to remove their importance Uel not lu.t In the practices proper, reflecting a safety-minded distractions that would interfere with themselves but allo In the environment of approach to routine operations. The the operator's ability to monitor the lafety conlclou.ne.. which they treate. operator "at the controls" and the plant either audibly or visually. Clear Unel of relponalblllty and immediate supervisor must never including work activities that are not communication are eltabUlhed: lound relinquish their safety responsibilities related to the operator's immediate procedure. are developed: l/ricl adherence to unless properly relieved, including a responsibility for safe plant operation. thele procedurel II demanded; Internal thorough turnover briefing. by a Consideration should be given to reviewl are performed of lafety related qualified operator. reducing environmental distractions activillel; above all. Itaf( training and -Activities within the control room such as lighted alarms that are not educallon emphallze the realonl behind the should be performed with formality. operationally significant. or alarms that lafety practlcel eltabUlhed. together with Operator actions must be In accordance the conlequencel for lafety of Ihortfalls in signify normal operating conditions. personal performance. with approved procedures. Verbal -Foreign objects and materials not Thele matters are .Ipecially Important for communications should be clear and necessary for plant operations. ongoing operating organization. and the staf( directly concise. Appropriate consideration maintenance. or surveillance testing engaged In plant operation. For the laller. at should be given to the need for should be restricted from the area "at all levels. training emphasizes the acknowledgment and verification of the controls" to preclude inadvertent Ilgnificance o( their individualtBlkl from the instructions received. actuation of the controls or Itandpoint o( basic underltanding and -The control room of a nuclear contamination of control devices. knowledge of the plant and the equipment al power plant. and in particular the area their command. with Ipeclal emphalil on the Implementation of Policy realonl underlying lafety limltl and the lafety conlequence. of vlolationl. Open The Commission intends this Policy
.IntemalionalNucle.. Salely Advilory Croup Statement to make clear the attitudel ere required in such Itaff to enlure (INSAC)*3. aa,ic SalelY Principl.. lor Nucle ..
that information relevant to plant lafety il PowerPlanta Commission's expectations and to
NRC000030 provide guidance to licentee. in improving and .lIelling the conduct of operation. In the control room. of nuclear power pienta. The Commission believes that utility management should routinely monitor the conduct of operations at the plant. particularly in the control room. and review their procedures and policies on the conduct of operations. considering the gUidance of this policy statement, to assure they support an environment for profeuional conduct. Nothing in this policy statement limits the authority of the NRC to take appropriate enforcement action for violations of Commis.ion requirements or on matters otherwite affecting the .afe operation of the plant .nd thus the public health and safety, Dated at Rockvl1le. Maryiand, thl. 17th day of January 1989. For Ihe Nuclear Regulatory Commillion. Samuel J. Chllk. Secretary of the Commi.,ion.}}