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NRC NEWS U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, REGION I 475 Allendale Road, King of Prussia, Pa. 19406

NRC PROPOSES $8,800 FINE AGAINST TEMPLE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff has cited Temple University Hospital for discriminating against a technician who raised safety concerns. The NRC has proposed a civil penalty of $8,800 against the Philadelphia medical facility.

An NRC investigation determined that Temple University Hospital management discriminated against a nuclear medicine technologist in 1998. In November of that year, the technician informed her supervisor of her intent to resign. However, she was subsequently not permitted to rescind her resignation by Temple management, even though she was still employed by the hospital at the time and had been told by her supervisor that the resignation could be rescinded.

Based on the findings of the NRC's Office of Investigation and information provided by the hospital during a predecisional enforcement conference on August 14, of this year, the NRC staff determined the technician's previous involvement in protected activities was at least part of the reason she was not allowed to rescind her resignation.

NRC regulations prohibit a licensee from discriminating against any employee for engaging in certain protected activities, such as providing a licensee with nuclear safety concerns or testifying at any federal proceeding related to NRC requirements. Discrimination includes discharge and other actions that relate to compensation, terms, conditions or privileges of employment.

In a letter forwarding the Notice of Violation, NRC Region I Administrator Hubert J. Miller said he was issuing the proposed civil penalty to "emphasize the importance of continuously assuring a work environment that is free of any harassment, intimidation, or discrimination against those who raise safety concerns."

Temple University Hospital has 30 days to pay the fine or to protest it. If the fine is protested and subsequently imposed by the NRC staff, the company may request a hearing.

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