ML20134L740

Forwards Regional Ofc Notice 1002 Re Rev 1 to Regional Ofc Instruction 1030.Instruction Establishes Procedures Re Processing of Allegations,Complaints & Investigations.Review of Instruction to Ensure Working Knowledge Required

ML20134L740
Person / Time
Issue date:	02/01/1985
From:	James O'Reilly NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II)
To:	Dircks W NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO)
Shared Package
ML20134L723	List: IA-85-197, Forwards Regional Ofc Notice 1002 Re Rev 1 to Regional Ofc Instruction 1030.Instruction Establishes Procedures Re Processing of Allegations,Complaints & Investigations.Review of Instruction to Ensure Working Knowledge Required ML20134L721 ML20134L740
References
FOIA-85-197 NUDOCS 8509030401
Download: ML20134L740 (3)

Text

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February 1,1985

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' NOTE TO: William J. Dircks, Executive Director for Operations FROM:

James P. O'Reilly, Regional Administrator For your information and files relative to OIA report and forwarding memorandtsn.

DICT ATED BY JPOR (not reviewed)

Enclosure:

RON No.1002

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Regional dffice Notice No. 1002 PROCESSING ALLEGATIONS, COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS -

REGIONAL OFFICE INSTRUCTION NO.1030, REVISION 1 A.

Purpose:

To review applicable procedures related to the processing of allegations and complaints within Region 11.

B. Discussion:

Regional Office Instruction No.1030, Revision 1, establishes Regional Office policy and procedures for the proper processing, control and disposition of allegations, complaints and concerns involving NRC licensed _

facilities identified by, reported to, or received by any Region 11 staff member. Generally, staff members have complied with the policy set forth in the Instruction and this has served to raise our program to its benchmark status. It is only with such continued awareness and participation that we can keep the program at its current level and strive to improve upon it.

We have come far in the development of our program. Refinements have come gradually over the years and prograr improvettents have resulted from the work of many individuals. Staff members have contributed greatly to enhancing reporting procedures, report writing relative to allegations, and programmatic documentation. It is specifically this broad band participa-tion by staff members that has sustained the prograr's success. However, a word of caution is also indicated here. A well functioning program faces many dangers. Complacency often accompanies success and this particular program certainly is prone to complacency in that staff members may unwit-tingly overlook issues clearly within the reportability scope of the program. Indifference can also overtake a successful program and cause an irreparable downturn. But perhaps the most damaging occurrence is that one allegation that is not reported and that later surfaces to become a major issue demanding high level attention, unwarranted resources for resolutior.,

and causing personal and professional embarrassment to those involved. Our track record in this regard has been good, but there is always room for improvement - improvement in the sense of ensuring we remain alert to those dangers.

Those issues addressed above, although relating to reportability, also apply to your actions with regard to the resolution of allegations. We must ensure that when we are involved in the resolution of allegations that the resolution is accurate, detailed, complete, thorough and timely, for it takes only a moment for a voice, arrogating the resonance of concerned authority, to stigmatize that effort - to label it irresponsible, poorly conducted, or simply bad. It can take a considerably long time to refute such charges as it must be done on a point by point basis. Only if our work has been done professionally and completely will we be able to defend it successfully.

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Regional Office Notice No. 1002 2 RB 0 i '0% '

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. The continu'e d success of this program depends on you. Your continued awareness and sensitivity to the spirit and intent of the prograr will f ensure that Region 11 retains its position as the leader in this area. I C. Action:

1. Staff members are to review Regional Office Instruction No.1030, Revision 1, and ensure they have a working knowledge of the require-ments set forth in that Instruction.

2. Branch Chiefs should ensure that a copy of the Instruction is readily available to their personnel and conduct periodic discussions with their personnel regarding the contents of that Instruction.

3. Staff members are encouraged to contact their supervisors and/or the Enforcement and Investigation Coordination Staff to discuss cuestions or procedural ccncerns relative to the Instruction.

4. Staff members are encouraged to make suggestions as to how the prograr ,

can be improved and enhanced.

5. The Regional Training Officer, in coordination with the Investigation /

Allegation Coordinator, will ensure that appropriate training relative to the handling of allegations is scheduled for the Region on a semi annual basis.

6. The Investigatior/ Allegation Coordinator will ensure that this Fegional Office Notice is incorporated into the next revision of Regional Office Instruction 1030.

D.

Contact:

Questions and/or comments should be referred to the Investigatior./ Allegation Coordinator, Enforcement and Investigation Coordination Staff, at Extension 4193.

E. Cancellation Date:

This Notice is cancelled for record purposes or. January 1, 1986.

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% .&k James P. O'Reilly egional Administrat Distribution List A

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