The new weekly work hours and how do they effect road techs?

[UncaBuffalo]

Ok, as they say...not so much.

The new 10 CFR Part 26 rules apply to "covered" workers. Who are covered workers? They would be Operators, Security, Maintenance, HP, Chemistry, and Fire Brigade.

Now as for the limitations for HP's, they are only "covered" if they are performing Health Physics duties as a member of the on-site emergency organization minimum shift complement. Contract HP's are NOT covered workers. BTW Maintenance folks are covered only if they are working on SSC's (structures, system's, and components), that a risk-informed evaluation process has shown to be significant to public health and safety.

Some utilities are opting for keeping their shift technician rotations intact during outages thus eliminating the number of folks who are subject to both the working hour limitations AND the minimum days off that apply to covered workers. Other utilities are including ALL house techs that fill the role of shift technicians and therefore do run the risk of after an outage having someone run afoul of the working hour limitations since it is a rolling 6 week time frame.

The reason that some utilities are going to a 4 on 1 off 12 hour schedule is to compensate for the minimum days off required. For HP's working a 12 hour shift OUTAGE schedule they are required to get 3 days off in each successive (non-rolling) 15 day period. This BTWEonly applies to the first 60 days of an outage, then the on-line rules kick in. The working hours, again as applies to "covered" workers are:

16hrs in a 24 hr period
26hrs in a 48 hr period
72hrs in any 168 hr (7day) period

While I understand that there is a lot of confusion, and misinformation, rumors are the worst thing. The LAW does go into affect October 01, 2009, and no it has absolutely nothing to do with unions.

I think it will be interesting to see which union house types decide to grieve this, if the contract HP's work more hours. However, the way I look at it, is it any different when you have all sorts of different schedules for the various folks during an outage?

I have been part of a Working Hour Limitations (WHL) project group setting up the rules and procedures here at my utility, so if you have specific questions, fire 'em up and I'll do my best to get you the straight scoop.

I am in I&C right now, so was looking at it from that angle.

Most I&C workers (contractor or house) will be doing work on safety-related systems, so the new fatigue rules will apply.

[jjack50]

There are two other definitions of "covered worker" that may apply to RP Techs:

(a) Operating or on-site directing the operation of systems and components that a risk informed
evaluation process has shown to be significant to public health and safety.

(b) Performing maintenance or on-site directing of the maintenance of structures,
systems, and components (SSCs) that a risk-informed evaluation process has shown
to be significant to public health and safety.

This definition may apply to house, supplemental, or contract RP techs depending on specific assignment. It depends on what a company decides 'performing' means I think.  But basically, if you are working on or operating a system that can cause a release, you are a covered worker.

This is in addition to the 'e-plan assignment' rule.

[retired nuke]

There are two other definitions of "covered worker" that may apply to RP Techs:

(a) Operating or on-site directing the operation of systems and components that a risk informed
evaluation process has shown to be significant to public health and safety.

(b) Performing maintenance or on-site directing of the maintenance of structures,
systems, and components (SSCs) that a risk-informed evaluation process has shown
to be significant to public health and safety.

This definition may apply to house, supplemental, or contract RP techs depending on specific assignment. It depends on what a company decides 'performing' means I think.  But basically, if you are working on or operating a system that can cause a release, you are a covered worker.

This is in addition to the 'e-plan assignment' rule.

Good info Darth Penguin....

[PWHoppe]

There are two other definitions of "covered worker" that may apply to RP Techs:

(a) Operating or on-site directing the operation of systems and components that a risk informed
evaluation process has shown to be significant to public health and safety.

(b) Performing maintenance or on-site directing of the maintenance of structures,
systems, and components (SSCs) that a risk-informed evaluation process has shown
to be significant to public health and safety.

This definition may apply to house, supplemental, or contract RP techs depending on specific assignment. It depends on what a company decides 'performing' means I think.  But basically, if you are working on or operating a system that can cause a release, you are a covered worker.

This is in addition to the 'e-plan assignment' rule.

Interesting thought, but I'm not sure how that will be interpreted by the different utilities. Uncabuff, you will most definitely be a covered worker as will contract I&C folks, as for the HP's....I'm not sure that a statement such as any system that can cause a release makes you a covered worker. The key words in all of that are "operating" and "working" on.

NEI 06-11 (rev 1) says the following in their definitions:

Maintenance means, the following onsite maintenance activities: Modification, surveillance, post-maintenance testing, and corrective and preventive maintenance of SSCs that a risk-informed evaluation process has shown to be significant to public health and safety

Risk informed evaluation process means an evaluation based on a probabilistic risk analyses approach such as the Maintenance Rule (50.65(a)(4)) or other similar process.

Given that I guess each utility will have to decide what that means. Whatever the outcome, it's gonna be interesting for the next couple of years.

[ddan2]

Just a follow up and to bump this topic again

I am starting work with DZ Atlantic @ duke catawba

they are implimenting the new fatigue rules for the Nov outage  72 hrs 6 12's  different crafts / crews have different days off

There was some good info on the prev post guys need to take note of

During training they heavily emphised ratting out anyone looking like they are tired!

[Content1]

The Rule will have widespread effect throughout the industry.  The rule was intended to force utiltities to become less dependent on contingent workers and overtime.  More hiring of house folks to force down OT and fatigue.

Less whining...look at the big picture.  If you have never been to college and have been making >$100K taking smears on OT you need to look around.  1/8 of the nation is unemployed...capable, well-educated people around the world are seeking work here.  The 6x12, per diem earning, 3-in-3-out frisker holder has seen his day.  Nukes are staffing up, growing their own, sharing resources, and deploying technology.  The future is here, and Bubba Breakroom is history.

I would like to know any plants where you can be a "Bubba breakroom" or 3in 3 out frisker holder. . . (give specific examples)or why we should we be thankful with 1/8th of the nation out of work and we are not.   How many that are out of work doing jobs that are not needed has no impact on us.   An attorney laid off from a law firm won't apply for a jr. tech, no matter how desparate he/she is.  The companies are already milking the recession excuse to the max and what happens?   People don't show up as the last outage season demonstrated.  In spite of Obama and the democrats socialist agenda, good old capitalism still sets the prices in our industry.   Let them try to pay us minimum wage and see who shows up, or the qualifty of the remaining workers.  Whine all you want if it works for you, the squeaky wheel gets the oil, you must speak up enough to get the ear of those who make decisions on trying to screw us.   "Maybe if the hard left keeps trying to shove things down our throats the "Don't tread on me" flag may make a comeback, and we will all start squeaking louder and in organized fashion.

[Marlin]

Gentlemen you are headed for PolySci if you keep this up. If that is your intent let me know and I will send it there now.

[duke99301]

what was all that about above wow. will I tell you who I voted for if you ask. but as for that I am working 72 hours a week, and spend a lot of time in the can looking at things it still gets done. keep up the good work at your job.

[remowil55]

Just finish the outage at Wolf Creek, and we were working 4 on 1 off. The reason, that is what the house techs were working. Until we hit critical path then at the stroke of a pen it was 14 days straight, then back to 4 on 1 off.

[B.PRESGROVE]

Ya know after reading all this stuff about shedules it all really boils down to the stroke of a pen.  Think about it, all someone has to do is say we need x stuff done and in this time frame so make it happen.  They can make up work hour rules all day long, but when the stuff hits the fan the schedule is at the whim of the work.  Ive worked so many different schedules and each one of them has been changed to fit the needs of the work.

[SloGlo]

Ya know after reading all this stuff about shedules it all really boils down to the stroke of a pen.  Think about it, all someone has to do is say we need x stuff done and in this time frame so make it happen.  They can make up work hour rules all day long, but when the stuff hits the fan the schedule is at the whim of the work.  Ive worked so many different schedules and each one of them has been changed to fit the needs of the work.

dollars drive da dew date, sheet spews schedules.