Information Notice No. 85-53: Performance of NRC-Licensed Individuals While on Duty

                                                          SSINS No.: 6835 
                                                            IN 85-53       

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

                                July 12, 1985

Information Notice No. 85-53:   PERFORMANCE OF NRC-LICENSED INDIVIDUALS 
                                   WHILE ON DUTY 

Addressees: 

All nuclear power reactor facilities holding an operating license (OL) or a 
construction permit (CP). 

Purpose: 

In February 1981, the attached IE Circular 81-02 was issued. This Circular, 
which was prompted by an NRC inspector's observation of two licensed reactor
operators who appeared to be asleep while on duty in the control room, 
provided guidance on conditions and practices which the NRC believes to be 
necessary for the maintenance of a professional atmosphere in the control 
room and throughout the facility. The purpose of this information notice is 
to reaffirm the general principles of control room operations which were 
provided over four years ago. While some of the regulatory references cited 
in the Circular may have been modified or updated since that time, the basic
standards of control room professionalism remain valid as critical elements 
for continued safe reactor operations. 

Description of Circumstances: 

Continuing observation of control room operation by NRC inspectors indicates
that, in general, the high standards of control room professionalism 
described in IE Circular 81-02 are being met at most facilities. 
Nevertheless, recent NRC observations at some operating facilities indicate 
the need for further management attention to one of the areas described in 
the Circular: "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)." In some facility control rooms NRC inspectors have 
observed that the playing of music and operator occupation with reading 
material that is not job related continues to be condoned by management. 
Many utilities have established and are enforcing a policy which prohibits 
such activities by on-shift personnel. 

Such activities can potentially distract the on-shift personnel from the 
performance of their duties and from the monitoring of plant operations and 




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                                                              IN 85-53     
                                                              July 12, 1985 
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status. It is expected that recipients will review the information in this 
notice and the attached Circular for applicability to their facilities and 
consider action, if appropriate, to ensure the highest standards of control 
room operations. 

No specific action or written response is required by this information 
notice. If there are any questions regarding this matter, please contact the
Regional Administrator of the appropriate NRC regional office or this 
office. 


                                   James M. Taylor, Director 
                                   Office of Inspection and Enforcement 

Technical Contact:  J. G. Partlow, IE
                    301-492-4614

Attachments:
1.   IE Circular 81-02
2.   List of Recently Issued IE Information Notices