Protecting People and the EnvironmentUNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
GL80026
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555
March 28, 1980
ALL POWER REACTOR APPLICANTS AND LICENSEES
Gentlemen:
Subject: QUALIFICATIONS OF REACTOR OPERATORS
In a letter dated September 13, 1979, we informed you of NRR requirements
established as of that date based on our review of the TMI-2 accident.
Enclosure 9 to the letter outlined the staff recommendations concerning
improvements in the area of operator training for your information. Since
that time, the Commission has acted on the staff recommendations.
It is the purpose of this letter to set forth the revised criteria to be
used by the staff in evaluating reactor operator training and licensing that
can be implemented under the current regulations and to establish an
effective date for their implementation. Other criteria that will be
established require additional staff work are also addressed. However,
implementation dates cannot be provided at this time. Commission review in
the area of operator training and qualification is continuing and can be
expected to result in additional criteria. Finally, requirements will be
established through rule making proceedings.
Enclosure 1 details the revised criteria and the effective date for their
implementation. Your attention is specifically directed to Sections A, B
and C of Enclosure 1 since these call out new criteria that will be
implemented in the near future;, therefore, your plans regarding training
and licensing activities should be promptly revised to conform to these
criteria.
Enclosures 2 and 3 provide guidance for establishing training programs in
heat transfer, fluid flow and thermodynamics; and mitigating core damage.
Enclosure 4 details control manipulations for requalification programs.
Based on our understanding of the industry's reasons for establishing the
Institute of Nuclear Power Operations and our review of the latest revision
to applicable ANSI standards, we believe you share our desire to
significantly upgrade the requirements for operations personnel.
.
Therefore, we urge you to effect the implementation of the criteria as soon
as practicable rather than wait for the stated implementation date. Also,
we urge you to start planning for the long range requirements so that they
may be rapidly implemented upon completion of the rule making procedure.
Harold R. Denton, Director
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Enclosures
1. Requirements for Reactor Operator
Training and Licensing
2. Training in Heat Transfer, Fluid
Flow and Thermodynamics
3. Training Criteria For Mitigating
Core Damage
4. Control Manipulations