Resolution of Generic Safety Issues: NMSS-0008. Year 2000 Computer Problem - Non-Reactor Licensees (Rev. 1) ( NUREG-0933, Main Report with Supplements 1–35 )

DESCRIPTION

The Year 2000 computer problem had the potential to pose a threat to public health, site safety and safeguards, and worker safety. Many computer systems could have potentially failed to recognize the change to a new century. The staff believed that these systems could have misread the year 2000 thereby causing them to fail or generate faulty data. To alert all licensees to the problem, IN 96-70¹⁷¹⁰ was issued followed by IN 97-61,¹⁷¹¹ which specifically addressed medical licensees, veterinarians, and manufacturers/distributors of medical devices. This issue was identified¹⁷⁰⁹ by NMSS to ensure that actions were taken to ensure that the Year 2000 computer problem would be either eliminated or minimized for material licensees.

CONCLUSION

The issue was given a high priority ranking and resolution was pursued.¹⁷⁰⁹ Health and safety were not compromised at materials licensee facilities due to the transition into the year 2000, or by the Leap Day (February 29, 2000). A Lessons Learned report and the GL 98-03 closeout report were issued in March 2000. Thus, the issue was resolved.⁵⁴⁶

REFERENCES

0546. Memorandum for C. Rossi from D. Cool, "NMSS Input for Second Quarter FY-2000 Update of the Generic Issues Management Control System," April 18, 2000. 1709. Memorandum for J. Craig from F. Combs, "Submittal of New Generic Issues for Tracking in the Generic Issues Management and Control System (GIMCS)," June 4, 1998. [9806090180] 1710. Information Notice 96-70, "Year 2000 Effect on Computer System Software," U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, December 24, 1996. [ML031050473] 1711. Information Notice 97-61, "U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Letter to Medical Device Manufacturers on the Year 2000 Problem," U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, August 6, 1997. [ML031050203]