ML20154A501
| ML20154A501 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 07/14/1988 |
| From: | Miller V NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20154A493 | List: |
| References | |
| FOIA-88-350, FOIA-88-A-40 NUDOCS 8809120247 | |
| Download: ML20154A501 (7) | |
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION wAsMiNo TON, D. C. 20555
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JUL 141988 e-MEMORANDUM FOR:
Files FROM:
Vandy L. Hiller Medical, Academic, and Connercial Use Safety Branch, IMNS
SUBJECT:
MEETING WITH THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING (ASNT) ON THE INDUSTRIAL RADIOGRAPHER SAFETY PERSONNEL (IRSP) CERTIFICATION PROGRAM, JUNE 16, 1988.
Attendees:
Ross Beckley, ASNT John Hickey, MSS Desmond Dewey, ASNT Bruce Carrico, NMSS Hugh Tho,apson, M SS Dennis Serig, MSS Richard Cunningham, NMSS Robert Alexander, RES RichardBangart,RIV(MSS)
Donald Hussbaumer, GPA Vandy L. Miller, NMSS Jodl Lubenau, GPA t
Mr. Ross Beckley, ASNT President and Mr. Desmcnd Dewey, ASNT Managing i
Director, met with NRC representatives to discuss certain areas of concern with the IRSP Certificattun Program, and to better understand NRC's position regarding the program.
Mr. Cunningham opened the meeting by introducing the NRC employees present and explained their role within the agency. Mr. Miller then provided an overview of the certification program and explained NRC's involvement. A fourth draft uf the proposed program is currently out for review by subccanittee members and Mr. Miller indicated that few additional NRC comments were anticipated. He also expressed his view that the program package was in its final stage of development and that the connittee would now begin work on a presentation package in order 'to present the proposed program to the ASNT Board of Directors at their Fall Meeting to be held in Anaheim, California. Messrs.
Alexander and Mussbaumer indicated that their offices found thi program acceptable.
Mr. Beckley explained that there were four areas of concern they wished to discuss. The first invol 'd NRC intentions regarding implementation of the program. Mr. Thompson offored that NRC's management is very concerned about the issue and supportive of ASNT in its efforts. He also iadicated thst the Connission is concerned about improving radiation safety in industrial radiography and he believed, would support the certification program.
However, Mr. Thompson also informed the ASNT representatives that he could provide no guarantees that the Comission would decide to adopt the certification program. Mr. Miller and Mr. Cunningham discussed tentative thoughts on how NRC s regulations might be amended to adopt a certification program.
The group 88091202'7 080718
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discussed procedures for amending the regulations and the amount of time involved in the process. Other alternatives, such as a trial program, were also discussed. The availability of the radiographers examination item bank developed by the the State of Texas for its testing program was reviewed.
,Mr. L.ubenau inforsee the group that Texas would probably be willing to work with NRC or ASNT to make its program available.
i Another area of concern Mr. Beckley wished to discuss was that he temed "the old timer issue." He explained that ASNT had been informed that there were a i
number of individuals working in the pipeline industry who have been authorized to perform isotope radiography for some time, that were unable to pass the Texas examination. He indicated that these individuals were known to 1
be good radiographers, who conducted their operations in a proper and safe i
manner. The exact reason for these failures was unknown, however, he believed that it may just be due to inexperience with taking written tests or similar factors. He questioned what NRC's views would be on providing alternatives to the written examination, such as an oral examination. Mr. Serig provided thatt many individuals do "tighten up" in a testing environment. Mr. Thompson v
indicated that it was not NRC's intent to prohibit an individual from perfoming radiography simply because he/she has problems with test taking and that NRC would be willing to consider other alternatives suggested by ASNT.
The third area Mr. Beckley wished to discuss concerned the certification program's Code of Ethics. Mr. Beckley questioned if NRC supported having a Code of Ethics in the program and was informed that it was supportive. Mr.
Beckley indicated that a ntsnber of individuals had particularly expressed i
concern with item 2.4 of the code.
They felt that this item placed the individual into the position of having to "squeal" on his employer or others and provided little criteria outlining when such actions should be taken. He also indicated that some individuals may be unwilling to sign the Code of Ethics because of this provision. Mr. Thompson explained that he understood how such a provision could cause some problems, however, he also noted that f
NRC expects self-policing by its licensees and the individuals working for them. He did allow that the item could be better written and would see if the i
staff could suggest improved language.
l The last concern Mr. Beckley discussed sas the cost of the program. Mr. Dewey l
l explained his role with ASNT and current HQ staffing arrangements. He indicated that while actual cost and staf fing needs had not been developed, he I
anticipated that, at least initially, a nVmber of additional individuals would be l
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For files needed to administer the program in the areas of data entry and general typing. Messrs. Beckley and Dewey both indicated that preliminary infonnation shows that ttLa-cost to the individual could run as high as $600.
In order to keep the individual's costs down, Mr. Beckley questioned if NRC might be able to provide "seed" money through a contract to help get the program started.
Mr. Thompson offered th:c NRC would be willing to entertain providing funds to ASNT through a contract or grant. However, he also indicated that such funds should only be expected to help get the program started and, again, he could make no guarantee.
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an Miller, hief Medica, Academic, and Connercial Use Safety Branch, IMNS t
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2 DIVISION OF SAFEGUARDS AND TRANSPORTATION C5 ATTENDEES /
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NUMBER LOCATION PUU JSE yDATE/ TIME o>
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$6/16/88 WFM 6-B-7 Discuss Certification of V. Miller V. Miller Radiographers (ASNT)
R. Cunningham, NMSS R. Beckley, ASNT
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D. Dewey, ASNT
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PREDE h mn, MEMORANDUM FOR:
Files FROM:
Yandy L. Miller, Chief Medical Academic, and Comercial Use Safety Branch, IMNS
SUBJECT:
MEETING WITH THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING (ASNT)ONTHEINDUSTRIALRADIOGRAPHERSAFETYPERSONNEL(IRSP)
CERTIFICATION PROGRAM, JUNE 16, 1988
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Attendees:
Ross Beckley, ASNT John Hickey, NHSS Desmond Dewey, ASNT Bruce Carrico, NMSS Hugh Thompson, NMSS Dennis Serig, NMSS Richard Cunningham, NMSS Robert Alexander, RES RichardBangart,RIV(NMSS)
Donald Nussbaumer, GPA Vandy Miller, MMSS Joel Lubenau, GPA Mr. Ross Beckley, ASNT President, and Mr. Desmond Dewey, ASNT Managing Director, met with NRC representatives to discuss certain areas of concern with the IRSP Certification Program, and to better understand NRC's position regarding the program.
Mr. Cunningham opened the meeting by introducing the NRC employees present and explained their role within the agency. Mr. Miller then provided an overview of the certification program and explained NRC's involvement. A fourth draf t of the proposed program is currently out for review by subconriittee members and Mr.
Miller indicated that few additional NRC coments were anticipated. He also expressed his view that the program package was in its final stage of development and that the comittee would now begin work on a presentation package in order to present the proposed program to the ASNT Board of Directors at their Fall Meeting to be held in Anaheim, California. Messrs. Alexander and Nussbaumer indicated that their offices found the program acceptable.
Mr. Beckley explained that there were four areas of concern they wished to discuss. The first involved NRC intentions regarding implementation of the prog ram. Mr. Thompsen offered that NRC's management is very concerned about tlie issue and supportive of ASNT in its efforts. He also indicated that the Comission is sensitive and concerned about improving radiation safety in industrial radiography and he believed, would support the certification program.
However, Mr. Thompson also informed the ASNT representatives that he could provide no guarantees that the Comission would decide to adept the certification program. Mr. Miller and Mr. Cunningham discussed tentative thoughts on how NRC's regulations might be amended to adopt a certification program.
The group discussed procedures for amending the regulations and the amount of time involved in the process. Other alternatives, such as a trial program, were also discussed.
The availability of the radiographer examiration item bank developed by the State of Texas for its testing program was reviewed.
Mr. Lubenat informed the group that Texas would probably be willing to work with hRC or ASNT to make its program available.
H@ ' ESM5*C BA
. Another area of concern Mr. Beckley wished to discuss was what he termed "the old timer issue." He explained that ASNT had been informed that there were a number of individuals working in the pipeline industry who have been authorized to perfonn isotope radiography for sone time, that were unable to pass the Texas examination. He indicated that these individuals were known to be good radiographers, who conducted their operations in a proper and safe manner.
The exact reason for these failures was unknown, however N believed that it may just be due to inexperience with taking written tests or similar factors. He questioned what NRC's views would be on providing alternatives to the written examination, such as an oral examination. Nr. Serig provided that many individuals do "tighten up" in a testing environment. Mr. Thompson indicated that it was not NRC intent to prohibit an individual from perfonning radiography simply because he (she) has problems with test taking ano that NRC would be 4
willing to consider other alternatives suggested by ASNT.
The third area Mr. Beckley wished to discuss concerned the certification program's Code of Ethics. Mr. Beckley questioned if NRC supported having a Code of Ethics in the program and was informed that it was supported. Mr. Beckely indicated that a number of individuals had particularly expressed concern with item 2.4 of the code. They felt that this item placed the individual into the position of having to "squeal" on his employer or others and provided little criteria outlining when such actions should be taken. He also indicated that some individuals may be unwilling to sign the Code of Ethics because of this l
provision. Mr. Thompson explained that he understood how such a provision could cause some problems, nowever he also noted that NRC expects self-policing by its licensees and the individuals working for them. He did allow that the item could be better written and would see if the staff could suggest improved language.
The last concern Mr. Beckley discussed was the cost of the program. Mr. Dewey explained his role with ASNT and current HQ staffing arrangements. He indicated that while actual cost and staffing needs had not been developed, he anticipated l
that, at least initially, a number of additional individuals would be needed to administer the program in the areas of data entry and general typing. Messrs.
Eeckley and Dewey both indicated that preliminary information shows that the cost to the individual could run as high as $600.
In order to keep the l
individual's costs down, Mr. Beckley questioned if NRC might be able to provide "seed" money through a contract to help get the program started. Mr. Thompson offered that NRC would be willing to entertain providing funds to ASNT through a contract or grant. However, he also indicated that such funds should only be expected to help get the program started and, again, he could make no guarantees.
Vandy L. Miller, Chief Pedical, Academic, and Corrnercial i
Use Safety Branch, IMNS l
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