```
[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46525-46526]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23337]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Chemical Process Safety at Fuel Cycle Facilities; Availability of 
NUREG

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is announcing the completion 
and availability of NUREG-1601, ``Chemical Process Safety at Fuel Cycle 
Facilities,'' dated July 1997.

ADDRESSES: Copies of NUREG-1601 may be obtained by writing to the 
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, P.O. Box 
37082, Washington, DC 20402-9328. Copies are also available from the 
National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, 
Springfield, Virginia 22161. A copy of the document is also available 
for inspection and/or copying, for a fee, in the NRC Public Document 
Room, 2120 L Street, NW. (Lower Level), Washington, DC 20555-0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Lidia Roche, Division of Fuel 
Cycle Safety and Safeguards, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and 
Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-
0001. Telephone: 301-415-7830.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NRC is announcing the availability of 
NUREG-1601, ``Chemical Process Safety at Fuel Cycle Facilities.'' 
NUREG-1601 is the first report to address chemical safety issues 
affecting fuel cycle facilities as they relate to the performance 
of an integrated safety analysis (Integrated Safety Analysis 
Guidance Document (Draft NUREG-1513)). NUREG-1601 was developed in 
conformance with the Memorandum of Understanding, between NRC and 
the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which gives NRC 
regulatory authority over chemicals hazards that may impact NRC-
licensed nuclear material, including: (a) Chemical risks posed by 
radioactive materials; (b) interactions of chemicals with NRC-
licensed nuclear material; and (c) plant conditions that may 
directly or indirectly affect the licensed nuclear material in an 
adverse manner.

    NUREG-1601 provides broad guidance on chemical safety issues 
relevant to fuel cycle facilities. It addresses chemical safety issues, 
relevant to fuel cycle facilities, as they pertain to the performance 
of an integrated safety analysis. It explains to license holders and 
applicants a general

[[Page 46526]]

philosophy of the role of chemical process safety in relation to NRC-
licensed materials. It sets forth the basic information needed to 
properly evaluate chemical process safety. It describes plausible 
methods of identifying and evaluating chemical hazards and assessing 
the adequacy of the chemical safety of the proposed equipment and 
facilities. Examples of equipment and methods commonly used to prevent 
and/or mitigate the consequences of chemical incidents are discussed in 
this document.
    NUREG-1601 highlights the importance of performing an adequate 
analysis of chemical hazards in processing licensed material at fuel 
cycle facilities, so as to reduce the potential for radiological and 
nonradiological exposures to workers and the public and to minimize 
releases to the environment. NUREG-1601 is not a substitute for the 
regulations, and compliance is not a requirement. This guidance 
document describes a general philosophy of the role of chemical process 
safety regarding NRC-licensed material.

Electronic Access

    NUREG-1601 is also available electronically by visiting NRC's Home 
Page (http://www.nrc.gov).

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    In accordance with the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Act of 
1996, NRC has determined that this action is not a major rule and has 
verified this determination with the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 1st day of August, 1997.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Theodore S. Sherr,
Chief, Regulatory and International Safeguards Branch, Division of Fuel 
Cycle Safety and Safeguards, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and 
Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 97-23337 Filed 9-2-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-U
```