ML18331A348

NRC Forms 3, Notice to Employees

ML18331A348
Person / Time
Site:	Palo Verde
Issue date:	11/27/2018
From:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:
Lingam S
References
LTR-18-0281-1
Download: ML18331A348 (1)

Text

NRC FORM 3 UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (8-2017) Washington, DC 20555-0001 NOTICE TO EMPLOYEES STANDARDS FOR PROTECTION AGAINST RADIATION (PART 20); NOTICES, INSTRUCTIONS AND REPORTS TO WORKERS; INSPECTIONS (PART 19); EMPLOYEE PROTECTION WHAT IS THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION? spector or call or write to the NRC Regional Office serving your area. If you HOW DO I CONTACT THE NRC? al remedy, a complaint may be filed with the DOL pursuant to Section 211 of the ERA The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is an independent Federal regula- send your concern in writing, it will assist the NRC in protecting your identity Talk to an NRC inspector on-site or call or write to the nearest NRC Regional or with appropriate state entities. Your complaint to the DOL must describe in detail tory agency responsible for licensing and inspecting nuclear power plants and if you clearly indicate that you would like your concern to be considered by Office in your geographical area (see map below). If you call the NRCs toll- the basis for your belief that the employer discriminated against you on the basis of other commercial uses of radioactive materials. the NRC Allegation Program. The NRCs toll-free SAFETY HOTLINE for re- free SAFETY HOTLINE during normal business hours, your call will automati- your protected activity, and it must be filed in writing either in person or by mail within porting safety concerns is listed below. The addresses for the NRC Regional cally be directed to the NRC Regional Office for your geographical area. If you 180 days of the date of the alleged discriminatory action or the date you re-Offices and the toll-free telephone numbers are also listed below. You can call after normal business hours, or if your call cant be answered during ceived any notice, in writing or otherwise, of an adverse personnel action, WHAT DOES THE NRC DO?

also e-mail safety concerns to NRC.Allegation@nrc.gov. normal business hours by the regional staff, your call will be directed to whichever occured first. Additional information is available at the DOL web site The NRCs primary responsibility is to ensure that workers and the public are at www.osha.gov. Filing an allegation, complaint, or request for action with the NRCs Headquarters Operations Center, which is manned 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> a protected from unnecessary or excessive exposure to radiation and that nuclear WHAT IF I WORK WITH RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL OR IN THE VICINITY day. Calls to the Headquarters Operations Center are recorded. You can the NRC does not extend the requirement to file a complaint with the DOL facilities, including power plants, are constructed to high quality standards and OF A RADIOACTIVE SOURCE? also e-mail safety concerns to NRC.Allegation@nrc.gov. within 180 days. To do so, you may contact the Allegation Coordinator in operated in a safe and secure manner. The NRC does this by establishing If you work with radioactive materials or near a radiation source, the amount of the appropriate NRC Region, as listed below, who will provide you with requirements in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) and in radiation exposure that you are permitted to receive may be limited by NRC CAN I BE FIRED FOR RAISING A SAFETY CONCERN? the address and telephone number of the correct OSHA Regional office to receive licenses issued to nuclear users. regulations. The limits on exposure for workers at NRC licensed facilities your complaint. You may also check your local telephone directory under the U.S.

Federal law prohibits an employer from firing or otherwise discriminating against Government listings for the address and telephone number of the appropriate whose duties involve exposure to radiation are contained in sections 20.1201, you for bringing safety concerns to the attention of your employer or the NRC.

WHAT RESPONSIBILITY DOES MY EMPLOYER HAVE? 20.1207, and 20.1208 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR OSHA Regional office.

You may not be fired or discriminated against because you engage in certain Any company that conducts activities licensed by the NRC must comply with 20) depending on the part of the regulations to which your employer is subject. protected activities, including but not limited to, While these are the maximum allowable limits, your employer should also keep WHAT CAN THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR DO?

the NRCs requirements. If a company violates NRC requirements, it can be fined or have its license modified, suspended or revoked. your radiation exposure as far below those limits as is reasonably achievable.

• asking the NRC to enforce its rules against your employer; If your complaint involves a violation of Section 211 of the ERA by your employer,

• refusing to engage in activities which violate NRC requirements; the DOL provides a process for obtaining a personal remedy. The DOL will notify Your employer must tell you which NRC radiation requirements apply to your your employer that a complaint has been filed and will investigate your complaint.

MAY I GET A RECORD OF MY RADIATION EXPOSURE?

work and must post NRC Notices of Violation involving radiological working

• providing information or preparing to provide information to the NRC or your conditions. Yes. Your employer is required to make available to you the information in If the DOL finds that your employer has unlawfully discriminated against you, it may your dose records (as maintained under the provisions of 10 CFR 20.2106). employer about violations of requirements or safety concerns; or order that you be reinstated, receive back pay, or be compensated for any injury WHAT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY? In addition your employer is required to provide you with an annual report of

• asking for, or testifying, helping, or taking part in an NRC, Congressional, suffered as a result of the discrimination and be paid attorneys fees and costs.

the dose you received in that monitoring year if the dose exceeds 100 millirem, or any Federal or State proceeding.

For your own protection and the protection of your co-workers, you should Relief will not be awarded to employees who engage in deliberate violations of or if you request an annual report.

know how NRC requirements relate to your work and should follow them. the Energy Reorganization Act or the Atomic Energy Act.

WHAT FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION ARE PROHIBITED?

If you observe violations of the requirements or have a safety concern, you HOW ARE VIOLATIONS OF NRC REQUIREMENTS IDENTIFIED?

should report them. It is unlawful for an employer to fire you or discriminate against you with WHAT WILL THE NRC DO?

NRC conducts regular inspections at licensed facilities to assure compliance respect to pay, benefits, or working conditions because you help the NRC or with NRC requirements. In addition, your employer and site contractors may The NRC will evaluate each allegation of harassment, intimidation, or discrimi-WHAT IF I CAUSE A VIOLATION? raise a safety issue or otherwise engage in protected activities. Violations of nation to determine whether sufficient information is provided to initiate NRC conduct their own inspections to assure compliance. All inspectors are pro- Section 211 of the Energy Reorganization Act (ERA) of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5851)

If you engaged in deliberate misconduct that may cause a violation of the NRC tected by Federal law. Interference with them may result in criminal prosecu- involvement. To assist in this evaluation, an investigator from the NRCs Office of include actions such as harassment, blacklisting, and intimidation by employ- Investigations (IO) may interview you and gather any applicable documentation in requirements, or would have caused a violation if it had not been detected, or tion for a Federal offense. ers of (i) employees who bring safety concerns directly to their employers or to deliberately provided inaccurate or incomplete information to either the NRC your possesion. If the NRC determines that the allegation falls within its purview, the NRC; (ii) employees who have refused to engage in an unlawful practice, NRCs OI will initiate an investigation of your allegation of discrimination unless, or to your employer, you may be subject to enforcement action. If you report MAY I TALK WITH AN NRC INSPECTOR? provided that the employee has identified the illegality to the employer; (iii) such a violation, the NRC will consider the circumstances surrounding your prior to the initiation of such investigation, you choose to engage in mediation Yes. NRC inspectors want to talk to you if you are worried about radiation safety employees who have testified or are about to testify before Congress or in any with your employer in an attempt to settle your allegation of discrimination. If a reporting in determining the appropriate enforcement action, if any. or have other safety concerns about licensed activities, such as the quality Federal or State proceeding regarding any provision (or proposed provision) of settlement is reached and the NRC is provided such agreement for review and of construction or operations at your facility. Your employer may not prevent the ERA or the Atomic Energy Act (AEA) of 1954; or (iv) employees who have finds it acceptable, the NRC will close your allegation of discrimination and will HOW DO I REPORT VIOLATIONS AND SAFETY CONCERNS? you from talking with an inspector. The NRC will make all reasonable efforts commenced or caused to be commenced a proceeding for the administration not perform an investigation. However, any settlement agreement between you If you believe that violations of NRC rules or the terms of the license have to protect your identity where appropriate and possible. or enforcement of any requirement imposed under the ERA or AEA or who and your employer on your discrimination claim will not impact, in any way, the occurred, or if you have a safety concern, you should report them imme- have, or are about to, testify, assist, or participate in such a proceeding. resolution of the underlying technical issues or any other allegation you may diately to your supervisor. You may report violations or safety concerns MAY I REQUEST AN INSPECTION? have filed or will file with the NRC. Alternatively, if an acceptable settlement is directly to the NRC. However, the NRC encourages you to raise your con- HOW DO I FILE A DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINT? not reached, NRCs OI will initiate an investigation.

Yes. If you believe that your employer has not corrected violations involving cerns with the licensee since the licensee has the primary responsibility for, radiological working conditions, you may request an inspection. Your request If you believe that you have been discriminated against for bringing violations or safety If the NRC or the DOL finds that unlawful discrimination has occurred, the and is most able to ensure, safe operation of nuclear facilities. If you choose should be addressed to the nearest NRC Regional Office and must describe concerns to the NRC or your employer, you may file a complaint with the NRC, the NRC may issue a Notice of Violation to your employer, impose a fine, or suspend, to report your concern directly to the NRC, you may report it to an NRC in- the alleged violation in detail. It must be signed by you or your representative. U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), or appropriate state entities. If you desire a person- modify, or revoke your employers NRC license.

Nuclear Power Plants

• E ach regional office oversees the UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION REGIONAL OFFICE LOCATIONS plants in its regionexcept for the A representative of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission can be contacted by employees who wish to register complaints or concerns about radiological Callaway plant in Missouri, which working conditions or other matters associated with NRC-regulated activities at the following addresses and telephone numbers.

Region IV oversees.

Materials Licensees REGIONAL OFFICES

• R egion I oversees licensees and REGION ADDRESS TELEPHONE To report incidents involving Federal facilities located geographically U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Region I To report safety concerns or fraud, waste, or abuse in Region I and Region II.

• Region III oversees licensees and

I 2100 Renaissance Boulevard, Suite 100 (800) 432-1156 violations of by an NRC employee

King of Prussia, PA 19406-2713 NRC requirements or NRC contractor, Federal facilities located geographically in Region III. by your employer,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Region II telephone:

• Region IV oversees licensees and Federal facilities located geographically II 245 Peachtree Center Avenue ,NE., Suite 1200 (800) 577-8510 telephone:

in Region IV. Atlanta, GA 30303-1257 OFFICE OF THE Nuclear Fuel Processing Facilities U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Region III NRC III (800) 522-3025 INSPECTOR GENERAL

• R egion II oversees all the fuel

2443 Warrenville Road, Suite 210 Lisle, IL 60532-4352 SAFETY HOTLINE processing facilities in all regions.

• Region II also handles all construction HOTLINE

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region, IV inspection activities for new nuclear

IV 1600 East Lamar Boulevard (800) 952-9677 1-800-695-7403 power plants and fuel cycle facilities in all regions. Arlington, Texas 76011-4511 1-800-233-3497