ML23018A113
| ML23018A113 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 01/18/2023 |
| From: | Theresa Buchanan NRC/NRR/DRO/IOLB |
| To: | |
| References | |
| Download: ML23018A113 (13) | |
Text
Operator Licensing and Staffing Theresa Buchanan Senior Reactor Operations Engineer, Examiner Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Overview
- Questionnaire
- Staffing
- Operator qualification 2
Questionnaire
- Used to obtain information from geographically diverse regulators on preparations for advanced reactors on staffing and operator qualification
- Six responses received
- Responses are summarized 3
Staffing - Minimum
- Answers varied from no specified minimum up to a total of 4
- Typically, at least one licensed/qualified operator is required to be present at all times
- Typically, qualification can vary
- Example - board operator and senior operator 4
Staffing - Flexibilities
- Some countries had flexibility in the minimum staffing based on the plant status (shutdown versus operating)
- Some countries do not have flexibility on minimum staffing
- One country allows for minimum staffing based on other factors 5
Staffing - Use of simulators
- Typically, the responsibility for ensuring sufficient staffing is left to the facility licensees, provided that minimum staffing is met
- Simulator data collected by the facility may be reviewed by the regulator as part of the license review activities
- One country does use simulators to assess staffing levels 6
Staffing - Facility proposed
- Responses vary
- In some countries, the facility can propose different staffing levels, so long as the minimum requirements met
- In some countries, an exemption or amendment is required to change staffing levels
- In all countries, the staffing is documented, and some form of regulatory review performed 7
Staffing - HFE used
- Responses vary
- In some countries, human factors engineering analysis is not required
- In some countries, human factors engineering analysis is required 8
Operator Qualification
- Training Programs
- Some countries approve training programs and some review programs
- Some countries have regulations, some use industry standards
- Qualification/Licensing
- All countries have at least one position that must meet specified requirements
- Most countries require at least one position be certified/licensed by the regulator 9
Operator Qualification
- Autonomous/Remote Operations
- None of the countries have allowances for autonomous operations
- Qualification flexibilities
- Most countries had flexibilities for trainees
- One country had limited flexibility
- One country had flexibility 10
Country Specific Examples
- Goal-oriented regulatory framework
- General objectives for safety operations at nuclear facility (includes but not limited to power reactors)
- Licensee defines and justifies requirements for staffing, training and qualification
- Regulator assesses requirements (and any modification) and inspects 11
Country Specific Examples
- Fully autonomous operations precluded
- May be remotely operated
- Some staff must remain on-site for emergency response 12
Questions?
13