View source for RBG-28372, Discusses Changes in Fitness for Duty Program.Newly Negotiated Agreement W/Union Provides Only for Planned Testing & step-by-step Program Wherein Personnel Testing Positive for Drug Use Are Suspended for 45 Days

{{Adams
| number = ML20207C783
| issue date = 08/04/1988
| title = Discusses Changes in Fitness for Duty Program.Newly Negotiated Agreement W/Union Provides Only for Planned Testing & step-by-step Program Wherein Personnel Testing Positive for Drug Use Are Suspended for 45 Days
| author name = Deddens J
| author affiliation = GULF STATES UTILITIES CO.
| addressee name = 
| addressee affiliation = NRC OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION &amp; RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (ARM)
| docket = 05000458
| license number = 
| contact person = 
| document report number = RBG-28372, NUDOCS 8808100216
| document type = CORRESPONDENCE-LETTERS, INCOMING CORRESPONDENCE, UTILITY TO NRC
| page count = 2
}}

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f( e Y .a GULF STATES                   UTELETIES                  COMPANY mne . s sm c,     me      amm        v rm wuoes m nm ACEA( Z .EG2   CM r st   349 r (1 m
August 4, 1988 RBG- 28372 File No. G9.5 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk Washington, D. C. 20555 Gentlemen:
River Bend Station - Unit 1 Docket No. 50-458 In its August   27, 1985 letter (RBG-21862) Gulf States Utilities Company (GSU) described to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission                 (NRC) its Fitness for Duty program which was developed in accordance with Edison Electric Institute (EEI) guidance.
In June of this year a new union contract was negotiated with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), which resulted in changes to the Fitness for Duty program. This letter is being provided to describe these changes. GSU's program continues to meet referenced industry guidance.
Previously,   GSU's     drug screening program consisted of planned testing, unannounced testing, and immediate termination if the employee's urine sample tested above prescribed limits (positive) for prohibited drugs. Employees testing below these limits would be counselled and be subject to unannounced retesting. Similar provisions addressed restrictions on vital island access, plant access, and contractor practices.
The newly negotiated agreement with the union provides only for planned testing and a step-by-step program wherein personnel who test positive for drug use are immediately suspended for a period up to 45 days, entered into a rehabilition program and retested at the end of the suspension period before returning to their normal duty. The individual is then subjected to retesting at any time during the next 12 month period and any positive retest results in termination.
The voluntary rehabilitation program continues as previously described with unannounced retests following return to duty for a period of 12 months.
If you have any questions concerning GSU's revised Fitness for Duty program, please contact Mr. L. A. England at (504) 381-4145.
Sincerely, l
l I           8808100216 DR          880804                            J. C. Deddens l                  ADOCK 05000458 i                             PDC                           Senior Vice President i
River Bend Nuclear Group                   8/
JCD/JEB/LAE/RJK/PRH/ch                                                     g h/j 8M[         i   l f0

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cc: Mr. Robert D. Martin U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 611 Ryan Plaza Drive, Suite 1000 Arlingtor., TX 76011 Mr. Walt Paulson Project Manager, Rivar Bend Station Document Control Desk Washington, D.C. 20555 NRC Resident Inspector Post Office Box 1051 St. Francisville, LA 70775 1
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