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No. 91-8O FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tel. 301/415-8200 (Friday, July 12, 1991)

NRC AMENDS REGULATIONS FOR FITNESS-FOR-DUTY

FOR LICENSED OPERATORS

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is amending its regulations to specify that the

conditions and drug testing cutoff levels established under the Commission s fitness-for-duty

programs are applicable to licensed reactor operators as conditions of their licenses.

The amendments provide a basis for taking enforcement actions against licensed operators

who:

use drugs or alcohol in manner that would exceed the cutoff levels contained in the fitness-for-duty

rule, are determined by a facility medical review officer to be under the influence of any prescription

or over-the-counter drug that could adversely affect his or her ability to safely and competently

perform licensed duties, or who sell, use, or possess illegal drugs.

The Commission believes that the amendments will ensure a safe operational environment

for the performance of all licensed activities by providing a clear understanding to licensed

operators of the severity of violating requirements governing drug and alcohol use and substance

abuse.

The amendments to Parts 2 and 55 of the Commission s regulations will become effective

on August 14, 1991.

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