IE Circular No. 81-02, Performance of NRC-Licensed Individuals While on Duty
SSINS No.: 6830
Accession No.:
8008220282
IEC 81-02
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555
February 9, 1981
IE Circular No. 81-02: PERFORMANCE OF NRC-LICENSED INDIVIDUALS WHILE ON DUTY
Description of Circumstances:
Recently, an NRC inspector observed two licensed reactor operators who
appeared to be asleep while on duty in the control room. A subsequent NRC
investigation into the matter concluded that the operators were not fully
attentive to their licensed duties of monitoring reactor conditions, which
is a serious matter of safety significance. Furthermore, the investigation
concluded that management controls were inadequate to assure the alertness
of licensed operators while on duty. Enforcement action was taken after it
was determined that attentive operators were not present at the controls as
required by 10 CFR 50.54(k).
Discussion:
NRC believes that a relationship exists between the professional attitude of
a nuclear plant's operating and management personnel and the degree to which
the health and safety of the public is protected. NRC believes that
professional attitude is reflected in high standards of performance
including pride in the facility as demonstrated by the nuclear power plant
staff. Factors making up this professional attitude include knowledge of all
aspects of plant status by licensed control room operators, maintaining an
orderly and clean working environment, aggressiveness of the operating staff
to prevent operational problems, and correcting observed deficiencies. NRC
believes that clarification of its position on this subject is necessary
because several recent events involving licensed operators indicate a lack
of a professional attitude at some nuclear power plants.
The following conditions and practices are among those the NRC believes to
be necessary for the maintenance of a professional atmosphere in the control
room and throughout the facility.
1. All on-duty NRC-licensed operators and operating supervisors must be
aware of and responsible for the plant status at all times. This
includes supervisors being responsible for the performance of all
personnel assigned to their shift who could affect plant safety,
regardless of specialty affiliation. Knowledge of the plant's status
must be assured during shift changes by a formal watch turnover and
relief.
Attachment:
Recently issued IE circulars
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IEC 81-02
February 9, 1981
Page 2 of 3
2. All on-duty NRC-licensed operators must be alert, remain within their
immediate areas of responsibility until properly relieved, and be
particularly attentive to the instrumentation and controls located
within these areas at all times.
3. Potentially distracting activities in the control room and other watch
stations must be prohibited (for example: radios, TV, alcohol use or
drug abuse, games, horseplay, hobbies, and reading that is, not
directly job related).
4. Control room access must be limited to those persons on official
business only and loitering in this area must be prohibited.
5. All necessary plant-related technical/administrative control room
business must be conducted at a location and in such a manner that
neither licensed control room operator attentiveness nor the
professional atmosphere will be compromised. This includes activities
associated with the use of special eating and training facilities for
on-shift personnel.
Additional Information:
NRC inspectors will be particularly mindful of those conditions and
practices described above during future inspections of licensed nuclear
facilities.
For more specific information, you are referred to the following NRC
documents:
1. 10 CFR 50, "Domestic Licensing of Production and Utilization
Facilities," Paragraph 50.54
2. 10 CFR 55 , "Operators' Licenses," Paragraph 55.31 and 55.40
3. Regulatory Guide 1.114, "Guidance on Being Operator at the Controls of
a Nuclear Power Plant"
4. IE Information Notice 79-20, Revision 1, "NRC Enforcement Policy
NRC-Licensed Individuals"
5. Letter from D. G. Eisenhut, NRC, to All Licensees and Applicants, dated
July 31, 1980, Subject: Interim Criteria for Shift Staffing
The following excerpts are taken from some of these documents and are
provided for your information:
1. Only licensed operators are permitted to manipulate the controls that
directly affect the reactivity or power level of a reactor [10 CFR
50.54(i)].
2. Licensed operators are required to be present at the controls at all
times during the operation of the facility [10 CFR 50.54(k)].
3. Operation of mechanisms and apparatus other than controls that may
indirectly affect the power level or reactivity of a reactor shall only
be accomplished with the knowledge and consent of an operator licensed
in accordance with Part 55 [10 CFR 50.54(j)].
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IEC 81-02
February 9, 1981
Page 3 of 3
4. The NRC-licensed individual shall observe all applicable rules,
regulations and orders of the Commission, whether or not stated in the
license [10 CFR 55.31(d)].
5. The operating test, to the extent applicable to the facility, requires
the applicant to demonstrate an understanding of:
The necessity for a careful approach to the responsibility
associated with the safe operation of the facility [10 CFR
55.23(1)].
6. In order for the operator at the controls of a nuclear power plant to
be able to carry out these and other responsibilities in a timely
fashion, he must give his attention to the condition of the plant at
all times. He must be alert to ensure that the plant is operating
safely and must be capable of taking action to prevent any progress
toward a condition that might be unsafe (Regulatory Guide 1.114.B).
NRC policy regarding responsibility for safe operation of NRC-licensed
facilities as stated in IE Information Notice 79-20, Revision 1, continues
to be as follows:
1. "The facility licensee is responsible for assuring that the facility is
operated safely and within the requirements of the license, technical
specifications, rules, regulations, and Orders of the NRC, and for the
actions of their on-duty employees while on site."
2. "NRC-licensed individuals are responsible for taking timely and proper
actions that will not create or cause a hazard to 'safe operation of
the facility' (i.e. , actions or activities, including failure to take
action, related to the facility that could have an adverse effect on
the health and safety of the public, plant workers, or the
individuals)."
Recommended Action for Licensee's Consideration:
Each power reactor licensee should review and revise, as necessary, their
administrative controls regarding operator performance to ensure the
guidance contained or referenced herein is incorporated. These
administrative controls should prescribe performance requirements for
licensed personnel and specify types of activities that are prohibited while
licensed personnel are on duty. These administrative controls should be
considered for applicability to other plant personnel whose actions, while
on duty, may affect plant safety or the orderly conduct of facility
operation. Licensees should assure dissemination of these administrative
requirements to affected personnel.* It is also requested that licensees
have their licensed personnel review this Circular and IE Information Notice
79-20, Revision 1, as well as Regulatory Guide 1.114. No written response to
this Circular is required. If you require additional information regarding
this matter, contact the Director of the appropriate NRC Regional Office.
*A copy of this Circular was mailed directly to each licensed reactor
operator and senior reactor operator.
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