ML20059G083
| ML20059G083 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 12/15/1993 |
| From: | David Williams NRC OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL (OIG) |
| To: | Rogers, Selin I, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20059A899 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9401210101 | |
| Download: ML20059G083 (2) | |
Text
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December 15,1993 OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL MEMORANDUM FOR: "Ihe Chairman Commissioner Rogers Commissioner Remick Commissioner de Planque adA[.NW FROM:
David C. Williams Inspector General
SUBJECT:
ASSESSMENT OF NRCS PROCESS FOR PROTECIING ALLEGERS FROM HARASSMENT AND INTIMIDATION Attached is the Office of the Inspector General's report entitled, " Assessment of NRCs Process For Protecting Allegers From Harassment and Intimidation."
This report was prepared in response to hearings on July 15, 1993, before the Senate Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Regulation, Committee on Environment and Public Works, and subsequent meetings with Subcommittee staff who requested that we provide additional information on several harassment and intimidation (H&I) issues.
We found that from a regulatory perspective, NRC is proactLvg to technical aspects of allegations, but primarilyIcactive to H&I implications. Simply stated, Section 211 of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 divides the responsibility for handling H&I allegations between NRC and DOL NRC has the duty to ensure that its licensees and their employees do not participate in H&I against persons who raise safety concerns. DOL determines whether an individual was subject to retaliation and as a result suffered adverse employment actions, and orders compensation for victims of H&L Our assessment found that NRC quickly addresses the technical safety aspects of allegations.
However, NRC does not know to what extent discrimination has or may be occurring at licensee facilities. For example, NRC does not (1) have a program to assess the H&I environment at licensees except when serious problems occur, (2) know how many or what q3 y
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The Chairman level of complaints emanating from a licensee's employees should cause NRC to increase its scrutiny of those operations, or (3) have a headquarters focal point to assess whether the effect of individual or cumulative H&I complaints indicates a need for eithr licensees or NRC to take corrective action.
NRC has taken some steps to improve its process for handling H&I issues. Our assessment offers additional observations and factors for NRC to consider in identifying where its process could be improved.
We are also providing copies of this report to the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the Senate Subcommittee on CNn Air and Nuclear Regulation, Committee on En irorunent and Public Works.
Attachment:
As stated i
cc:
J. Taylor, EDO H. Thompson, EDO J. Sniezek, EDO W. Parler, OGC S. Chilk, SECY D. Rathbun, OCA J. Blaha, EDO R. Scroggins, OC P. Norry, ADM G. Cranford, IRM R. Bangart, OSP T. Murley, NRR E. Jordan, AEOD E. Beckjord, RES R. Bernero, NMSS J. Funches, ICC R. Vollmer, OPP T. Martin, RI S. Ebneter, RII J. Martin, Rill J. Milhoan, RIV B. Faulkenberry, RV