Information Notice No. 82-07: Inadequate Security Screening Programs

                                                            SSINS No.:  6835
                                                            Accession No.: 
                                                            8202040112 
                                                            IN 82-07 

                                UNITED STATES
                        NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
                    OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT
                           WASHINGTON, D.C.  20555

                               March 16, 1982

Information Notice No. 82-07:  INADEQUATE SECURITY SCREENING PROGRAMS 

Description of Circumstances: 

In recent months, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC's) 
inspection program has determined that some contractors and subcontractors 
at operating nuclear power plants are not meeting all of the screening 
requirements set forth in the contracting licensee's facility security plan.  
In some cases, individuals were certified as meeting the minimum screening 
requirements when, in fact, employment records had not been properly 
screened.  Licensees who did not have effective audit programs did not 
discover the inadequate screening conducted by their contractors or 
subcontractors.  This has resulted in uncleared individuals being granted 
unescorted access to vital areas.  Because inadequate screening programs 
could undermine other safeguards features at a facility, this practice may 
pose a threat to public health and safety. 

Contractors and subcontractors should be made aware that they are required 
to screen their employees according to the requirements specified in the 
licensee's approved security plan.  Clear specification of these screening 
requirements in the work contract is one method of ensuring this awareness. 
Licensee audits of contractor and subcontractor procedures for granting 
unescorted access to protected and vital areas could be another safeguard 
against inadequate screening programs.  These audits would provide 
reasonable confidence that the security plan commitments were being met. 

In summary, establishment of proper screening is essential because of the 
large number of contractor and subcontractor employees granted unescorted 
access to protected and vital areas during certain periods of plant 
operation. This information notice highlights the licensee's responsibility 
to ensure adequate screening.  This notice is provided as early notification  
of a potentially significant matter.  It is expected that recipients will 
review the information for possible applicability to their facilities and 
take appropriate action as necessary. 

No written response to this information notice is required.  For additional 
information regarding this subject, contact the Regional Administrator of 
the appropriate NRC Regional Office. 

Attachment:
Recently issued IE Information Notices