ML20033D988
| ML20033D988 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 05/09/1989 |
| From: | Remick F Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards |
| To: | Zech L NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20033D989 | List: |
| References | |
| ACRS-GENERAL, NUDOCS 8905180269 | |
| Download: ML20033D988 (2) | |
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m UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION j/
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i ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON REACTOR SAFEOUARDS i
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WASHm010N, D. C. 20656 May 9',
1989
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= The Honorable Lando W. Zech,! Jr.
1 Chairman 1'
' U.S. N.uclear Regulatory Comission
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Washington,.D.C. 20555 4
Dear Chairman Zech:
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SUBJECT:
NRC'S HUMAN FACTORS PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES L
' During the.349th meeting of the Advisory Comittee.on Reactor Safeguards, May 3-6, 1989, we discussed the. draft Comission paper related to the NRC's human factors. programs and initiatives.- Our Subcomittee on Human Factors dis-cussed this matter with the staff during a meeting held on April 19, 1989.
The subcomittee previously discussed draft' Revision 1 of the Human Factors Regulatory Research Program Plan with the staff on January 26, 1989.' :We also
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had the benefit ~of the document referenced.
l We are pleased that then NRC again is devoting a portion of its research 1
program to human factors issues.
The list of topic areas being worked oncor
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planned is extensive.
This will-require-dedicated research program manage-ment ? attention; to helps ensure.. that.the: research ' progresses - in a timely fashion' and ~ the results - are provided' in a. form for - possible use by the
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agency.
During' the January 26, 1989 meeting of-our Human Factors Subcomittee, it E
concluded that the. Human Factors Regulatory Research Program Plan be expanded a
into a human factors plan; for' the entire agency, i.e., to include the human
.. factors; programs:and initiatives of all of the NRC offices. We are pleased-
' to see L that the staff has subsequently reached ' the same conclusion.
We believe. that the more ' comprehensive document will be of greater use to the.
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'Comission: and to the interested individuals.
We recommend that-the dis-cussion ~of the other office programs and initiatives be retained in the'NUREG-document when issued.
l We believe that the Office of Nuclear Materials Safety and Safeguards' human
.i factors initiative, addressing material and fuel cycle activities, is a L.
~ welcome and needed. addition to the NRC human factors efforts.
Because few
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human factors considerations have been included in these activities in the past, much effort -will be required..
It is likely that additional human t
factors personnel will be needed by HMSS to carry out these activities in an effective manner.
The' utilization of a number of diverse institutions and organizations as i
human factors research providers is comendable.
This is particularly f
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The. Honorable Lando W. Zech, Jr. May 9, 1989 noteworthy in the organization and management and in the reliability assess-ment program elements of the research plan.
The use of diverse ~ research providers has already generated new input to, as well as interest in, the i
human factors research program, j
Finally, we have reconnended to the staff that a human factors research effort be initiated to develop improved methodology for the selection and training of resident inspectors.
These individuals play a significant role in the regulatory program for operating nuclear power plants.
Effective resident inspectors can have an extremely positive impact on nuclear safety through their interfacing role between the NRC and licensees.
Conversely,
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inspectors who are poorly qualified either technically or in their approach to regulation or their interpersonal skills can have a detrimental impact on nuclear plant safety performance.
We believe that appropriate human factors research could develop aptitude testing to assist in the selection of resi-dent inspectors and develo) training material relating to their work assign-ments and their relationsh'p to licensee personnel.
We recommend proceeding with the proposed human factors research program and initiatives. We would like to be briefed by the staff on the results of the research and any proposed implementation into the regulatory process at appropriate times.
Sincere Forrest J. Remick Chairman
Reference:
Gtter dated March 31, 1989 from F. D. Coffman, Jr., Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research to Herman Alderman, ACRS, transmitting the Connission Information Pa on NRC's Human Factors Programs and Initiatives (PREDECISIONAL) per k:
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