Inspection and appraisal of operational programs

The accident at Three Mile Island in March 1979 and the subsequent investigations identified, among other items, serious concerns involving several aspects of the radiation protection program. Significantly, some of the concerns involved areas which were not addressed by regulations or facility technical specifications. This led to the additional concern that similar problems might exist at other operating power reactor facilities. In response to these concerns, the NRC's Office of Inspection and Enforcement (IE) initiated, during calendar year 1980, a major effort to evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of radiation protection programs at all currently operating nuclear power facilities. This inspection effort was termed an appraisal since it was structured to facilitate an integrated look at the total radiation protection program, delved into matters for which explicit regulatory requirements did not exist and emphasized evaluation of capability and performance rather than compliance with regulations. The results of the 48 appraisals are discussed and the anticipated regulatory actions which may be taken to further address the concerns are identified