In response to a May 2, 2016 inquiry by SRS Watch to the NRC about it’s regulation of drugs at the NRC-licensed MOX construction project, a NRC official stated:
“The NRC’s regulations for Fitness for Duty, 10 CFR Part 26, do not require a Fitness for Duty Program for 10 CFR Part 70 fuel facilities under construction. However, MOX Services is required to have a Fitness for Duty Program as promulgated under 10 CFR 707, Contractor Workplace Substance Abuse Program at DOE Sites. This rule establishes policies, criteria, and procedures for developing and implementing programs to maintain a workplace free from the use of illegal drugs. It applies to DOE contractors performing work at sites owned or controlled by DOE and to individuals with unescorted access to the control areas of certain DOE reactors.”
(emailed follow-up to phone conservation, May 4, 2016)
In a stunning admission in the Fiscal Year 2015 award fee documents for the MOX project – linked here and below – the NNSA stated that “
MOX Services is not implementing random drug testing in a manner that is compliant with the procedure and is therefore not appropriately providing assurance of a drug free workplace.”So, now that NRC has said it has no legal responsibility concerning drugs at MOX it’s up to the DOE’s National Nuclear Security Administration to demonstrate that it will do what it takes to force CB&I AREVA MOX Services to implement an adequate drug testing program. Keep us posted if you become aware NNSA wakes up and takes necessary action, including testing of all managers.
Given that the MOX plant has been under construction for almost nine years, when will the NNSA get around to properly regulating drugs at its bungled project?
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