73 FR 20 pgs. 5598-5599 - In the Matter of Mattingly Testing Services, Inc., Molt, MT; Demand for Information
Type: NOTICEVolume: 73Number: 20Pages: 5598 - 5599
Docket number: [Docket No. 030-20836; License No. 25-21479-01; EA-07-303]
FR document: [FR Doc. E8-1645 Filed 1-29-08; 8:45 am]
Agency: Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 030-20836; License No. 25-21479-01; EA-07-303]
In the Matter of Mattingly Testing Services, Inc., Molt, MT; Demand for Information
I
Mattingly Testing Services, Inc., (Mattingly Testing) is the holder of Materials License No. 25-21479-01 issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or Commission) pursuant to 10 CFR Part 30 and 10 CFR Part 34. The license, initially issued on December 2, 1983, authorizes Mattingly Testing to possess radioactive sealed sources for use in industrial radiography in Molt, Montana, and at temporary job sites anywhere in the United States where the NRC maintains jurisdiction for regulating licensed material, including areas of exclusive Federal jurisdiction within Agreement States. The license was last renewed in its entirety on February 22, 2006, and is due to expire on February 28, 2016.
II
On November 7, 2007, during an inspection of Mattingly Testing's radiographic operations at a temporary job site, several apparent violations of NRC regulations were identified. In addition, during a follow-up inspection and investigation during the week of November 12, 2007, the NRC inspector and investigator were informed that senior management of Mattingly Testing discouraged employees from speaking with NRC inspectors and investigators. The NRC is concerned that an environment exists within Mattingly Testing's workplace that could inhibit employees from raising safety concerns to the NRC. The NRC inspections and investigation, which are still ongoing, have indicated that:
1. Mattingly Testing's control of licensed material at temporary job sites is not in compliance with NRC requirements;
2. Mattingly Testing's senior management has apparently caused employees to engage in activities that are in violation of NRC regulations and Orders; and
3. Mattingly Testing's senior management has discouraged employees from raising safety concerns both to their management and to the NRC.
This information demonstrates a lack of management control and supervision over licensed activities, raises questions as to whether Mattingly Testing will provide complete and accurate information to the NRC in compliance with 10 CFR 30.9, and whether Mattingly Testing is complying with the provisions with 10 CFR 19.15(b). Therefore, further information is needed to determine whether the Commission can have reasonable assurance that Mattingly Testing will comply with the Commission's requirements, ensure a healthy work environment, provide complete and accurate information to the Commission and otherwise conduct its activities in accordance with the Commission's requirements.
Accordingly, pursuant to sections 161c, 161o, 182 and 186 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and the Commission's regulations in 10 CFR 2.204, and 10 CFR 30.9, and 10 CFR 30.32(b), in order for the Commission to determine whether your license should be modified, suspended or revoked, or other enforcement action taken to ensure compliance with NRC regulatory requirements, Mattingly Testing is required to submit the following information in writing to the Director, Office of Enforcement, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, within 20 days of the date of this Demand for Information. If security-related information is necessary to provide an acceptable response, you must mark your entire response "Proprietary Information in accordance with 10 CFR 2.390(d)(1)" and follow the instructions for withholding in 10 CFR 2.390(b)(1). In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390(b)(1)(ii), the NRC is waiving the affidavit requirements for your response.
1. Provide the information requested in the non-publicly available Appendix to this Demand for Information.
2. Describe the actions it has taken and plans to take to provide reasonable assurance that its organization establishes and maintains an appropriate safety conscious work environment1where employees are free to raise safety concerns to the NRC and to Mattingly Testing's senior management without fear of retaliation. In addition, describe the actions it has taken and plans to take to ensure its employees understand the provisions of 10 CFR 19.15, 10 CFR 30.7, and 10 CFR 30.9.
Footnotes:
1 NRC defines Safety Conscious Work Environment as a work environment in which employees are encouraged to raise safety concerns, are free to raise concerns both to their ownmanagement and to the NRC without fear of retaliation, where concerns are promptly reviewed, given the proper priority, and appropriately resolved and timely feedback is provided. The NRC issued a Policy Statement, "Freedom of Employees in the Nuclear Industry to Raise Safety Concerns Without Fear of Retaliation" on May 14, 1996 [61 FR 24336] and additional guidelines in Regulatory Issue Summary 2005-18, "Guidance for Establishing and Maintaining a Safety Conscious Work Environment" on August 25, 2005.
Copies of this information shall also be sent to the Assistant General Counsel for Materials Litigation and Enforcement at the same address above, and to the Regional Administrator, NRC Region IV, 611 Ryan Plaza Drive, Suite 400, Arlington, Texas 76011-4005.
After reviewing your response, the NRC will determine whether further action is necessary to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Dated this 23rd day of January, 2008.
Cynthia A. Carpenter,
Director, Office of Enforcement.
[FR Doc. E8-1645 Filed 1-29-08; 8:45 am]
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