Information Notice 2009-25, Firing Range Safety Issues

Firing Range Safety Issues

ML091940489
Person / Time
Issue date:	11/10/2009
From:	Dan Dorman, Mcginty T, Tracy G 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)

UNITED STATES

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION

OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDS

OFFICE OF NEW REACTORS

WASHINGTON, DC 20555-0001 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 facilities. 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 decommissioning.

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 procedures. The NRC expects that recipients will review the

information for applicability to their facilities and consider actions, as appropriate, to avoid

similar problems. However, suggestions contained in this IN are not NRC requirements;

therefore, no specific action or written response is required.

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 training. 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 activities. Some licensees

also make their ranges available to external agencies, such as local law enforcement agencies

(LLEAs), for similar training purposes. 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 facilitys firing range while in use

by an LLEA for a Special Weapons and Advanced Tactics training exercise. One of the

training activities performed involved a room clearing exercise in which trainees were

required to assess dangerous situations and shoot quickly while moving. 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

berms. As a result, several rounds exited the range area, and hit a number of occupied

buildings within the OCA and PA. Although no personnel injuries or safety-related

equipment damage occurred, this event highlights the need to closely monitor range

activities.

(2) In December 2005, another licensee was conducting weapons and tactics training for

site security personnel at its onsite range. While exiting the PA of the licensed facility, a

plant employee was struck in the leg by a bullet. In this instance, the range design

allowed for rounds to be discharged towards occupied plant areas. Subsequent to this

event, the range was relocated and redesigned to ensure no potential existed for

personnel injury or plant damage.

DISCUSSION

The actual consequences of the above firing range events had no nuclear or radiological safety

significance. However, the events did result in minor damage to plant buildings and an injury to

a plant employee. The NRC recommends that licensees review their procedures and current

range design and practices to ensure that similar events do not occur again. 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 activities.

CONTACT

This IN requires no specific action or written response. Please direct any questions about this

matter to the technical contact listed below.

/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

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. equipment damage occurred, this event highlights the need to closely monitor range

activities.

(2) In December 2005, another licensee was conducting weapons and tactics training for

site security personnel at its onsite range. While exiting the PA of the licensed facility, a

plant employee was struck in the leg by a bullet. In this instance, the range design

allowed for rounds to be discharged towards occupied plant areas. Subsequent to this

event, the range was relocated and redesigned to ensure no potential existed for

personnel injury or plant damage.

DISCUSSION

The actual consequences of the above firing range events had no nuclear or radiological safety

significance. However, the events did result in minor damage to plant buildings and an injury to

a plant employee. The NRC recommends that licensees review their procedures and current

range design and practices to ensure that similar events do not occur again. 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 activities.

CONTACT

This IN requires no specific action or written response. Please direct any questions about this

matter to the technical contact listed below.

/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

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