ML21022A200
| ML21022A200 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 01/22/2021 |
| From: | Russell Gibbs NRC/NRR/DRO/IRIB |
| To: | |
| Russell Gibbs, NRR/DRO/IRSB, 415-8578 | |
| References | |
| Download: ML21022A200 (11) | |
Text
Lessons Learned and Best Practices on Oversight of Operating Reactors During COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Russell Gibbs Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Division of Reactor Oversight 1
The Bottom Line Reasonable assurance of safe nuclear plant operation was achieved through satisfactory completion of inspection samples, on-site inspector presence and continued monitoring of licensee activities, and response to plant events.
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Background===
- NRC staff was required to perform extensive telework during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
- Resident inspectors were expected to be on-site about every three business days.
- Some inspections were either not performed or delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
- Initial reactor operator exams restarted to ensure a pipeline of reactor operators.
- Goal established to complete the minimum number of inspection samples.
- NRC inspectors and examiners worked with licensees to ensure their personnel safety.
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Scope/Methodology
- Lessons learned effort focused on oversight of operating reactors and related support functions.
- A 24-question survey was developed to identify lessons learned and best practices (March - July 2020).
- A second survey was sent to all senior resident inspectors on IT capability.
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Recommendations Overview
- Improve implementation of oversight during COVID public health emergency.
- Ensure oversight program is adequately prepared for future emergencies.
- Identify processes and actions taken during the COVID-19 PHE that can be used during normal operations to enable the NRC to become a more modern, risk-informed regulator.
Recommendations are under consideration with no decisions made 5
Near Term Recommendations IT Capability and Reliability
- Formalize agreements with licensees to ensure inspectors have continued access to plant information.
- Provide second computer monitor to staff.
- Continue to educate staff and licensees about the capabilities and benefits of available IT tools.
Inspection Guidance Enhancements
- Consider revisions to inspection procedures or guidance to indicate activities and inspection requirements can be performed either fully remotely, partially remotely, or onsite.
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Long Term Recommendations IT Capability and Reliability
- Improve remote access to Safeguards Information for security inspectors and designated HQ staff.
Remote Inspection Practices
- Expand use of remote work practices for resident inspectors.
- Evaluate the current team inspection framework to determine if changes should be made to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Inspection Guidance Enhancements
- Revise ROP program documents to include best practices and guidance developed since the COVID-19 PHE began.
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Select Best Practices
- Conducting townhalls and inspector seminars
- Developing dashboards to monitor local and site conditions
- Using internal information exchanges through MS SharePoint
- Using direct lines of communication with licensee staff
- Alternating onsite presence for team inspections
- Using personally owned vehicles and traveling alone
- Scheduling routine, and often daily, communications with licensees 8
Other Perspectives Summarized
- Report relies too heavily on survey results.
- Lessons learned should only be applied to future emergencies - not normal conditions.
- Immediate action should be taken to expand telework for inspectors.
- Survey questions should have focused on inspection activities that could be performed remotely versus how many hours per week inspectors telework.
- Use of the term remote inspection causes concern for some.
- Evaluate versus expand the routine use of telework for inspectors.
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Next Steps
- Coordinate results with NRC COVID-19 Coordination Team.
- Determine which recommendations will be accepted and acted upon with focus on near-term actions.
- Seek feedback from with industry and public to finalize approaches.
- Evaluate effectiveness of actions taken for both emergency and non-emergency conditions (after implementation and appropriate run-time).
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Conclusions NRC oversight of operating reactors during the COVID-19 PHE was appropriate, mostly as a result of the NRC staff and managements ability to adapt to telework and the challenges the PHE presented.
NRC inspectors, staff, and management learned a great deal in a short time and the lessons learned and best practices identified should prove highly beneficial for future emergencies that limit or prevent access to nuclear plant sites.
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