Protecting People and the EnvironmentUNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
February 13, 1986
TO ALL POWER REACTOR LICENSEES AND APPLICANTS FOR POWER REACTOR LICENSES
Gentlemen:
SUBJECT: POLICY STATEMENT ON ENGINEERING EXPERTISE ON SHIFT (GENERIC LETTER
86-04)
The purpose of this letter is to provide you with a copy of the Federal
Register notice of the Policy Statement on Engineering Expertise on Shift,
and to give you an opportunity to transmit your plans regarding
modifications to your current program in light of the options now available
as a result of the Policy Statement.
The Policy Statement offers the licensees two options for meeting the
current requirements for providing engineering expertise on shift
(NUREG-0737, Item I.A.1.1) and meeting licensed operator staffing
requirements (10 CFR 50.54 (m)(2)). Option 1 provides for elimination of the
separate Shift Technical Advisor (STA) position by allowing licensees to
combine one of the required Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) positions with the
STA position into a dual-role (SRO/STA) position. Option 2 states that a
licensee may continue to use an NRC-approved STA program while meeting
licensed operator staffing requirements. Licensees may use either option on
each shift.
The Commission encourages licensees to move toward the dual-role (SRO/STA)
position, with the eventual goal of the Shift Supervisor serving in the dual
role. However, the Commission realizes that some licensees may prefer the
dedicated STA position for a number of reasons. If this latter option is
chosen, then the Commission encourages licensees to work towards having the
dedicated STA assume an active role in shift activities by having the STAs
rotate with a shift and by including responsibilities to review plant logs,
participate in shift turnover activities and training, and maintain an
awareness of plant configuration and status.
So that the NRC can be aware of the current status of, and future plans for,
the STA and dual-role programs in the industry, we would appreciate your
response within 90 days concerning your intentions. Specifically:
1. Your current program for providing engineering expertise on shift;
2. If your current STA program utilizes an "equivalency" criteria to an
engineering degree, a description of the criteria used; and,
3. A description of any modifications you intend to propose to your
current program in order to take advantage of the options identified in
the Commission's Policy Statement.
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This request for information was approved by the Office of Management and
Budget under clearance number 3150-0011 which expires September 30, 1986.
Comments on burden and duplication may be directed to the Office of
Management and Budget, Report Management Room 3201, New Executive Office
Building, Washington, D.C. 20503.
Please direct your response to the appropriate Licensing Project Manager
with a copy to F. Rowsome, Division of Human Factors Technology. If you need
additional information on the Policy Statement, please contact Dan Jones at
301-492-4879. Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Harold R. Denton, Director
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Enclosure:
Policy Statement on Engineering
Expertise on Shift
