**NRC INSPECTION MANUAL** IIPB

MANUAL CHAPTER 1240

UNESCORTED ACCESS AT POWER REACTORS

1240‑01 PURPOSE

To provide a process for NRC and contractor inspectors to obtain
unescorted access to protected and vital areas at nuclear power plants.

1240‑02 OBJECTIVE

To provide assurance that NRC and contractor inspectors requiring
unescorted access to protected and vital areas are trustworthy and
reliable, and do not constitute an unreasonable risk to the health and
safety of the public, including a potential to commit radiological
sabotage.

1240‑03 RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITIES

03.01 Regional Administrator (RA) designees issue letters to power
reactor licensees requesting unescorted access for NRC and contractor
inspectors to protected and vital areas.

03.02 Regional Branch Chiefs identify inspectors who require unescorted
access to protected and vital areas of power reactor facilities.

03.03 Headquarters Division of Facilities and Security (DFS) certifies
that background investigation requirements have been met for contractor
inspectors, and that DFS has no security objection to their interim or
continuing unescorted access. DFS also coordinates security clearances
for NRC employees, including temporary waivers for new employees. See
NRC Management Directive (MD) 12.3, NRC Personnel Security Program".

03.04 Inspection Program Branch (IIPB), Division of Inspection Program
Management, NRR coordinates with contractors and DFS to obtain required
input for the regional letters requesting unescorted access for
contractor inspectors.

1240‑04 REQUIREMENTS

Regional letters to licensees requesting unescorted access for NRC and
contractor inspectors to protected and vital areas are based on the
following elements.

04.01 10 CFR 73.56, "Personnel Access Authorization Requirements for
Nuclear Power Plants", requires a background investigation designed to
identify past actions which are indicative of an individual's future
reliability within a protected or vital area of a nuclear power reactor.
The background investigation must verify an individual's true identity,
and develop information concerning employment history, education
history, credit history, criminal history, and military service. The
investigation must also verify character and reputation.

For contractors, Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) background
investigation includes the above items. Based on the status and
favorability of the OPM review and DFS' background investigation, DFS
determines contractor eligibility for interim or continuing unescorted
access.

For NRC inspectors and contractors, a valid Federal Government-issued
security clearance (e.g., Q or L security clearance) is evidence that
the background investigation requirements have been met.

In accordance with Section 145b of the Atomic Energy Act, DFS
investigates the background of new NRC employees to provide the basis
for a temporary waiver of a security clearance. This allows interim
approval for unescorted access for the employee while Office of
Personnel Management conducts an investigation to provide the basis for
granting a security clearance.

04.02 10 CFR 73.56 requires a psychological assessment designed to
evaluate the possible impact of any noted psychological characteristics
which may have a bearing on trustworthiness and reliability. Per MD
12.3, DFS' background investigation includes review of the psychological
assessment.

NUMARC 89-01, "Industry Guidelines for Nuclear Power Plant Access
Authorization Programs, dated August 1989 is endorsed by Regulatory
Guide 5.66, "Access Authorization Program for Nuclear Power Plants",
dated June 1991. NUMARC 89-01 states that utilities shall not authorize
unescorted access where the individual's unescorted access has been
interrupted for more than 365 calendar days. In such cases, the regional
letter requesting unescorted access must verify that the psychological
evaluation has been updated from the date of the previous investigation.

04.03 10 CFR 73.56 requires behavioral observation, conducted by
supervisors and management personnel, designed to detect individual
behavioral changes which, if left unattended, could lead to acts
detrimental to public health and safety. If the licensee observes any
such aberrant behavior, the licensee should follow the same procedures
for NRC and contractor inspectors.

04.04 10 CFR 19.12 requires individuals who are likely to receive annual
occupational doses greater than 100 mrem to receive instruction related
to radiation and/or radioactive material. This requirement is satisfied
for NRC and contractor inspectors by their initial training and annual
refresher in generic physical security and radiation protection.

04.05 10 CFR 26, "Fitness for Duty Programs", requires contractor
personnel to be subject to either the licensee's fitness for duty
program, or a program formally reviewed and approved by the licensee
which meets the requirements of 10 CFR 26. For contractors, 10 CFR
26.24, "Chemical and Alcohol Testing", requires chemical testing within
60 days prior to initial granting of unescorted access. Therefore,
chemical testing at one site may apply to a second site if conducted
within 60 days of required unescorted access at the second site.

NRC inspectors will be covered under NRC's Fitness-for-Duty program,
which includes chemical testing.

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