Preparation and Conduct of Regulatory Inspection

Abstract

Preparation and Conduct of Regulatory Inspection The modules which the purview of this seminar covers are the preparation and conduct of regulatory inspection, the development of the security plan for a nuclear facility, licensee submittals, review and assessment for all stages. The seminar also aims as part of its objectives to explain the goal of regulatory inspection, describe the general planning process of an inspection and explain the methodology to conduct an inspection and the appropriate behaviour for an inspector during a regulatory inspection. Regulatory inspections are carried out on the premise of ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and license conditions and to confirm the entrenchment of a strong and effective management system. Regulatory inspections are also carried out to verify operator compliance not just in regards to regulations, but also in to verify physical protection systems which ideally ought to be the realistic interpretation of what is noted in regulatory paperwork. In addition to the above stated objectives, regulatory inspections also look out for the implementation and maintenance of the physical protection equipment and systems on ground .this should also be in accordance with an established and measurable nuclear security culture with a robust reporting system that also gives room for frequent training programmes to be implemented for security personnel. In general, the planning of inspections begins with the development of a periodic schedule (most often on an annual basis) which determines the type of inspections to be carried out within the time period and the coordination with other relevant departments responsible for regulatory review and assessment. Other specific planning tasks include the formation of a team, review of applicable requirements, review of related correspondence with the licensee and notifying the operator among an exhaustive list of pre-inspection preparations. All this steps must be carried out to ensure a proper and hitch free inspection. The inspection is also meant to be carried out in such a fashion that the inspection methodology of techniques, exit meeting, inspection report and inspection follow-up would be executed in a sequence. Each component of the methodology is also made up of sub-strata of actions that define the purpose of each step in the methodology. In the just exercise of his duties as the representative of the regulatory body the inspector is also required to behave appropriately by being courteous and respecting the operator’s dignity and professional background while performing the inspection professionally. To better position the NNRA it is recommended that the NNRA places inspections on a high priority level and ensure that the funds for inspection and inspectors in the line of duty are budgeted for specifically instead of a reliance on overhead.

Seminar presented by Godwin Omeje