ML24310A249
| ML24310A249 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 11/05/2024 |
| From: | Virkar H NRC/OIG/AIGA |
| To: | Mirela Gavrilas NRC/EDO |
| References | |
| OIG-24-E-03 | |
| Download: ML24310A249 (1) | |
Text
NRC Headquarters l 11555 Rockville Pike l Rockville, Maryland 20852 l 301.415.5930 nrcoig.oversight.gov MEMORANDUM DATE:
November 5, 2024 TO:
Mirela Gavrilas Executive Director for Operations FROM:
Hruta Virkar, CPA /RA/
Assistant Inspector General for Audits & Evaluations
SUBJECT:
STATUS OF RECOMMENDATIONS: EVALUATION OF THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR EMERGENCY EVACUATION OF DISABLED PERSONNEL (OIG-24-E-03)
REFERENCE:
DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION MEMORANDUM DATED OCTOBER 24, 2024 Attached is the Office of the Inspector Generals (OIG) analysis and status of recommendation as discussed in the agencys response dated October 24, 2024. Based on this response, recommendation 1 is now closed. Recommendations 2 through 4 remain open and resolved. Please provide an updated status of the open, resolved recommendations by February 27, 2025.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at 301.415.1982 or Paul Rades, Team Leader, at 301.415.6228.
Attachment:
As stated cc: J. Martin, ADO S. Miotla, DADO J. Jolicoeur, OEDO OIG Liaison Resource EDO ACS Distribution
Evaluation Report EVALUATION OF THE U.S.
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR EMERGENCY EVACUATION OF DISABLED PERSONNEL Status of Recommendations (OIG-24-E-03) 2 Recommendation 1:
Establish working two-way communication systems adjacent to areas of refuge in accordance with NFPA 101 standards.
Agency Response Dated October 24, 2024: Agree. The Office of Administration (ADM) acknowledges and agrees with the importance of communication at areas of refuge. ADM has conducted a thorough assessment of the locations and functionality of telephones in all areas of refuge. A comprehensive list of the identified deficiencies was provided to the Office of the Chief Information Officer which has been remedied. The remaining floors without working telephones are active construction sites. Moving forward, this assessment will be conducted annually. As a temporary compensatory measure, a responder will be immediately dispatched if an individual is observed in an area of refuge without a functioning telephone. As a standard practice, all areas of refuge are monitored via visual surveillance system in the Central Alarm Station during building emergencies.
OIG Analysis:
The OIG checked the areas of refuge for working two-way communication systems (phones) and confirmed the implementation of the recommendation as stated. This recommendation is now closed.
Status:
Closed
Evaluation Report EVALUATION OF THE U.S.
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR EMERGENCY EVACUATION OF DISABLED PERSONNEL Status of Recommendations (OIG-24-E-03) 3 Recommendation 2:
Install area of refuge signage in accordance with NFPA 101 standards and remove any signage showing incorrect or outdated emergency information.
Agency Response Dated October 24, 2024: Agree. ADM acknowledges and agrees with the importance of consistent conspicuous signage. ADM will conduct annual inspections of all areas of refuge, removing outdated or incorrect signage and installing compliant signs. Additional inspections and updates will be performed as needed due to construction or changes in workplace conditions.
Target Completion Date: December 27, 2024 OIG Analysis:
The proposed action meets the intent of this recommendation. The OIG will close this recommendation upon verifying that the area of refuge signage has been updated as needed to show correct information and comply with NFPA 101 standards.
Status:
Open: Resolved
Evaluation Report EVALUATION OF THE U.S.
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR EMERGENCY EVACUATION OF DISABLED PERSONNEL Status of Recommendations (OIG-24-E-03) 4 Recommendation 3:
Assess the force required to open fire doors leading to areas of refuge under a range of conditions, and as practicable, adjust fire door opening force to the minimum allowable level.
Agency Response Dated October 24, 2024: Agree. ADM acknowledges and agrees with the recommendation to assess the force required to open fire doors. ADM will assess the force required to open fire doors under normal and pressurization conditions and make prudent adjustments within applicable building code requirements. Additionally, this assessment will be performed on all newly installed doors.
Target Completion Date: December 27, 2024 OIG Analysis:
The proposed action meets the intent of this recommendation. The OIG will close this recommendation after reviewing the proposed assessment and verifying adjustments made to fire doors based on this assessment.
Status:
Open: Resolved
Evaluation Report EVALUATION OF THE U.S.
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR EMERGENCY EVACUATION OF DISABLED PERSONNEL Status of Recommendations (OIG-24-E-03) 5 Recommendation 4:
Develop and implement more frequent limited-scope drills, emphasizing roles and responsibilities for personnel needing or rendering emergency evacuation assistance.
Agency Response Dated October 24, 2024: Agree. ADM and the Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer acknowledges and agrees with the importance of frequent drills and training opportunities and intends to conduct more frequent limited-scope drills. The scopes of these drills will include employee responses to Mass Notification System messages, building-specific evacuations, evacuation actions for those with specific needs, and responder actions for disabled personnel. ADM regularly engages the Advisory Committee for Employees with Disabilities to provide refresher training, present an opportunity for question-and-answer sessions, and offer availability to discuss individual plans and needs. ADM will continue offering one-on-one exercises as an expansion to these resources for anyone, at their request. Occupant Emergency Plan procedures will be updated to require these activities on a recurring basis.
Target Completion Date: December 27, 2024.
OIG Analysis:
The proposed action meets the intent of this recommendation. The OIG will close this recommendation upon verifying that the updated Occupant Emergency Plan procedures include the new required activities, and after verifying the completion of at least one limited-scope drill.
Status:
Open: Resolved