Key Issues
Personnel Training and Screening
Operators receive rigorous training and must hold valid federal licenses. All nuclear power plant staff are subject to background and criminal history checks before they are granted access to the plant.
Reactor Operators Undergo Rigorous Training
The nuclear industry established the National Academy for Nuclear Training to integrate the training programs of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations and all U.S. nuclear energy companies.Since 1979, the number of professional training staff has increased elevenfold. Nuclear plant safety and reliability have improved significantly since then as a result of investments in training. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a training rule in April 1993 that recognizes the industry’s training and accreditation efforts.
Training is ongoing for nuclear power plant operators, who spend one week out of every six in training.
Screening Process Helps Ensure Safety
The NRC requires all nuclear power plants to maintain an access authorization program. The purpose is to ensure that each person granted unescorted access to the facility is trustworthy and reliable and does not pose a threat to plant operations.New nuclear plant employees or contractor employees must pass several tests and background checks before they are allowed unescorted access to protected areas, such as the reactor building.
The NRC requires companies that operate nuclear power plants to have a fitness-for-duty program for all personnel with unescorted access to vital areas of the plant. The NRC requires companies to conduct random drug and alcohol testing on their employees. At least half of all employees are tested annually.
