ML20133G293
| ML20133G293 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 07/22/1985 |
| From: | Rehm T NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | Garde B GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8508080625 | |
| Download: ML20133G293 (3) | |
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JUL 2 2 N Ms. Billie Pirner Garde Citizens Clinic Director Government Accountability Project 1555 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 202 Washington, D.C.
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Dear Ms. Garde:
This is in response to your letter of June 5, 1985 concerning the problem of possible drug abuse by licensees or contractor personnel at nuclear power plants.
The NRC recognizes drug and alcohol abuse to be a social, medical, and safety problen affecting every segment of our society. Given the pervasiveness of the problem it must be recognized that it exists to some extent in the nuclear industry. Therefore, the Commission has considered additional appropriate measures to provide reasonable assurance that a person who is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, or who is otherwise unfit for duty, is not allowed to continue working in a vital area at an operating nuclear power plant. Accordingly, on August 5,1982, the Comission published a proposed rule on fitness for duty.
The proposed rule would require licensees to establish and implement written procedures for ensuring that personnel in a nuclear power plant are fit for duty.
Since publication of the proposed rule, the nuclear power industry, through programs developed and coordinated by the Nuclear Utility Management and Human Resources Comittee (NUMARC), the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and the l
Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO), has made and is continuing to make substantial progress in this area. While some of these efforts have only recently been initiated, the Commission realizes the importance of industry's initiative and wishes to encourage further self-improvement.
In view of industry's initiative and progress in addressing this problem on a generic basis, the Comission directed the staff to prepare a policy statement which authorizes the industry to go forward for 2 years on its initiatives on fitness for duty. That statement is now before the Comission. When the Comission has considered that statement, they have expressed the intent to q
reconsider the need for.a rule.
Pending our determination of the appropriate regulatory position on this complex matter, we believe that licensees have typically developed basic programs aimed at carrying out the intent of the proposed rulemaking. On July 3, 1985, the NRC received further communication from NUMARC indicating additional revisions to improve the existing industry fitness for duty program.
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Ms. Billie Pirner Garde.
Further, NRC's regulatory authority is already sufficient and will be used in any case in which it appears that a specific licensee has not taken actions regarding drug or alcohol use which are consistent with a full appreciation for nuclear safety.
Sincerely, (Si 0ed) T. A, Heb 8
T. A. Rehm Assistant for Operations Office of the Executive Director for Operations DISTRIBUTION:
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Ms. Billie Pirner Garde.
Pending our detennination of the appropriate regulatory position on this complex matter, we are confident that licensees have typically developed basic programs aimed at carrying out the intent of the proposed rulemaking.
Further, NRC's regulatory authority is already sufficignt and will be used in any case in which it appears that a specific licepsiee has not taken actions regarding drug or alcohol use which are consistent,with a full appreciation for nuclear safety.
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. A. Rehm Assistant for Operations Office of the Executive Director for Operations DISTRIBUTION:
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