NUCLEAR ACCESS AUTHORIZATION INVESTIGATIONS COMPLYING WITH THE UNDERLYING REGULATIONS

The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) establishes the rules of conduct for the nuclear industry. They are the driving force to maintain security plans for Personnel Access to Nuclear Power Reactors. Safety and zero quality flaws are the mutual objectives. Responsible human behavior is the key to achieving these commonly held goals. These regulations are found in Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Parts 26 and 73. Approved industrial standards provide the guidelines. Currently, those prepared under NUMARC serve as the guides. The pertinent sections of the regulations and guides are presented here. Other sections in this presentation provide more details.

PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING AND INTERVIEWING DRUG ABUSE SCREENING AND MEDICAL REVIEW VERIFYING ACCESS CANDIDATES CHARACTER, REPUTATION AND ACTIVITIES CRIMINAL AND DRIVING HISTORY RESEARCH BEHAVIORAL OBSERVATION TRAINING

The NUMARC Guidelines 6.2.5 state that: "The applicant's reputation for emotional stability, reliability and trustworthiness must be examined through contact with two references supplied by the applicant and at least two additional references (not related to the applicant) developed during the investigation. (It is not necessary that reference's [individually or collectively] be associated with or knowledgable of the applicant for unescorted access cover, over the entire five-year retrospective period.) Similar questions are asked of employers when confirming dates of employment. Fitness-for-Duty questions are also addressed then. "

Emphasis, during the interview, must be placed on: Identified psychological problems; Determining criminal history; Illegal use or possession of a controlled substance; Abuse of alcohol; Susceptibility to coercion; and Any other conduct relating to an applicant's trustworthiness or reliability to discharge job duties within the environment of a nuclear power plant.

Fitness-for-duty programs

Fitness-for-duty programs must provide reasonable assurance that nuclear power plant personnel will perform their tasks in a reliable and trustworthy manner and are not under the influence of any substance, legal or illegal, or mentally or physically impaired from any cause, which in any way adversely affects their ability to safely and competently perform their duties. Continuing Behavioral Observation, reporting and associated training are vital components to this program.

The Experience Factors

IQM, Inc: Business Investigations is unique among the few experienced companies in the field of personnel assessment. Our investigative, drug/alcohol screening, and protective services are mobile nationally, but centrally coordinated. The principals have supported nuclear service companies' security needs since 1980. The agency provides a full range of access authorization programs to major corporations operating in the nuclear industry. This is the most strictly regulated industry in the world. The quality assurance level is very high. IQM is also accustomed to performing services that are routinely scrutinized by several local, state and federal agencies. The State of Texas and the federal government regulate and inspect our operations. Our investigators and the corporation are appropriately insured and licensed.

References

A. Code of Federal Regulations
B. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Homesite

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