Information Notice 2009-25, Firing Range Safety Issues
| ML091940489 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 11/10/2009 |
| Revision: | 0 |
| From: | Dorman D H, McGinty T J, Tracy G M NRC/NMSS/FCSS, Division of Construction Inspection and Operational Programs, Division of Policy and Rulemaking |
| To: | |
| Sullivan F. Scot 415-6107 | |
| References | |
| IN-09-025 | |
| Download: ML091940489 (5) | |
ML091940489 November 10, 2009 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 2009-25: SMALL ARMS FIRING RANGE SAFETY ISSUES
ADDRESSEES
All holders of operating licenses or construction permits for nuclear power reactors under the provisions of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 50, "Domestic Licensing of Production and Utilization Facilities." All holders of operating licenses for Category I fuel cycle facilities, Category III fuel cycle facilities, conversion facility, and enrichment facilitie All applicants for a combined license to construct nuclear power plants under 10 CFR Part 52, "Licenses, Certifications, and Approvals for Nuclear Power Plants." All holders of licenses for nuclear power plants undergoing decommissionin
PURPOSE
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this information notice (IN) to inform recipients of recent events that occurred at small arms firing ranges owned and operated by NRC licensees to illustrate the potential hazards and the importance of adequate firing range design, range safety practices and procedure The NRC expects that recipients will review the information for applicability to their facilities and consider actions, as appropriate, to avoid similar problem However, suggestions contained in this IN are not NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action or written response is require
BACKGROUND
/DESCRIPTION OF CIRCUMSTANCES A number of licensees own and operate small arms firing ranges for use by their security force to conduct weapons and tactics trainin These firing ranges are often located in the owner controlled area (OCA), sometimes in proximity to the protected area (PA). These ranges are used during hours of both daylight and darkness for various training activitie Some licensees also make their ranges available to external agencies, such as local law enforcement agencies (LLEAs), for similar training purpose During such weapons and tactics training activities, the following events have taken place in recent years: (1) In May 2009, an incident occurred at an NRC-licensed facility's firing range while in use by an LLEA for a Special Weapons and Advanced Tactics training exercis One of the training activities performed involved a "room clearing" exercise in which trainees were required to assess dangerous situations and shoot quickly while movin In this instance, LLEA personnel improperly placed targets such that rounds would be discharged in a direction the range was not designed for and away from backstops and berm As a result, several rounds exited the range area, and hit a number of occupied buildings within the OCA and P Although no personnel injuries or safety-related equipment damage occurred, this event highlights the need to closely monitor range activitie (2) In December 2005, another licensee was conducting weapons and tactics training for site security personnel at its onsite rang While exiting the PA of the licensed facility, a plant employee was struck in the leg by a bulle In this instance, the range design allowed for rounds to be discharged towards occupied plant area Subsequent to this event, the range was relocated and redesigned to ensure no potential existed for personnel injury or plant damag DISCUSSION
The actual consequences of the above firing range events had no nuclear or radiological safety significanc However, the events did result in minor damage to plant buildings and an injury to a plant employe The NRC recommends that licensees review their procedures and current range design and practices to ensure that similar events do not occur agai It is also equally important for licensees to develop and foster (within personnel who work with and handle firearms or conduct range activities) a culture that instills and maintains awareness and sensitivity to the hazards associated with such activitie
CONTACT
This IN requires no specific action or written respons Please direct any questions about this matter to the technical contact listed belo /RA/ /RA by TQuay for/
Daniel H. Dorman, Director Timothy J. McGinty, Director Division of Fuel Cycle Safety Division of Policy and Rulemaking and Safeguards Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Office of Nuclear Materials Safety and Safeguards /RA/ Glenn Tracy, Director Division of Construction Inspection and Operational Programs Office of New Reactors
Technical Contact:
F. Scot Sullivan (301) 415-6107 E-mail: Frederick.Sullivan@nrc.gov Note: NRC generic communications may be found on the NRC public Web site, http://www.nrc.gov, under Electronic Reading Room/Document Collection equipment damage occurred, this event highlights the need to closely monitor range activitie (2) In December 2005, another licensee was conducting weapons and tactics training for site security personnel at its onsite rang While exiting the PA of the licensed facility, a plant employee was struck in the leg by a bulle In this instance, the range design allowed for rounds to be discharged towards occupied plant area Subsequent to this event, the range was relocated and redesigned to ensure no potential existed for personnel injury or plant damag DISCUSSION
The actual consequences of the above firing range events had no nuclear or radiological safety significanc However, the events did result in minor damage to plant buildings and an injury to a plant employe The NRC recommends that licensees review their procedures and current range design and practices to ensure that similar events do not occur agai It is also equally important for licensees to develop and foster (within personnel who work with and handle firearms or conduct range activities) a culture that instills and maintains awareness and sensitivity to the hazards associated with such activitie
CONTACT
This IN requires no specific action or written respons Please direct any questions about this matter to the technical contact listed belo /RA/ /RA/
Daniel H. Dorman, Director Timothy J. McGinty, Director Division of Fuel Cycle Safety Division of Policy and Rulemaking and Safeguards Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Office of Nuclear Materials Safety and Safeguards
/RA/ Glenn Tracy, Director Division of Construction Inspection and Operational Programs Office of New Reactors
Technical Contact:
F. Scot Sullivan (301) 415-6107 E-mail: Frederick.Sullivan@nrc.gov Note: NRC generic communications may be found on the NRC public Web site, http://www.nrc.gov, under Electronic Reading Room/Document Collections. ADAMS Accession Number:ML091940489 Log# 2538 OFFICE RSOB:NSIR TECH EDITOR BC:RSOB:NSIR BC:FCTSB:NSIR BC:ISCPB:NSIR NAME FSullivan Azariah-Kribbs RAlbert RCaldwell CErlanger DATE 07/21/09 07/23/09 07/24/09 07/29/09 07/27/09 OFFICE BC:RSRLB:NSIR DD:DSO:NSIR D:DSP:NSIR D:DSO:NSIR OGC NSIR NAME DHuyck BWestreich RCorreia PHolahan JGoldberg RZimmerman DATE 07/23/09 08/19/08 8/06/09 08/11/09 08/20/09 09/15/09 OFFICE PGCB:DPR PGCB:DPR BC:PGCB:DPR D:DCIP:NRO D:FCSS:NMSS D:DPR NAME DBeaulieu CHawes MMurphy GTracy DDorman TMcGinty (TQuay for) DATE 10/05/09 10/05/09 11/09/09 09/29/09 09/30/09 11/10/09 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY