What Is the DOE Human Reliability Program?

The DOE Human Reliability Program (HRP) at 10 CFR Part 712 is a security and safety reliability program for people in positions with access to certain nuclear materials, nuclear explosives, facilities and programs. It applies across DOE, including the National Nuclear Security Administration, and works through continuous evaluation of each certified individual (10 CFR 712.1).

HRP positions. Certification is required for positions that give access to Category I special nuclear material or responsibility for transporting or protecting it, involve nuclear explosive duties, give access to information about protective system vulnerabilities during transport, or are separately approved because they could significantly affect national security (10 CFR 712.10).

Certification requirements. Under 10 CFR 712.11, each individual applying for or in an HRP position needs:

• A DOE "Q" access authorization.
• Signed releases, acknowledgments and waivers.
• Initial and annual HRP instruction.
• An initial and annual supervisory review, medical assessment, management evaluation and DOE personnel security review.
• No hallucinogen use in the preceding 5 years.
• An initial drug test and random drug tests at least once each 12 months.
• An initial alcohol test and random alcohol tests at least once each 12 months.
• A counterintelligence evaluation for designated positions.

Certification must come before HRP duties and be renewed annually, with no more than 12 months between recertifications.

Drug testing. Drug testing follows the DOE workplace substance abuse rule at 10 CFR Part 707 for contractor employees. Tests also occur after an incident, unsafe practice or occurrence, or on reasonable suspicion. Failure to appear within 2 hours of notice is a refusal, and a refusal or illegal drug use leads to immediate removal from HRP duties (10 CFR 712.15(b)). The FAQ on the DOE workplace substance abuse program covers the Part 707 testing that HRP contractors follow.

Alcohol testing. A confirmed breath alcohol result of 0.02 or higher means the supervisor sends the individual home and bars HRP duties for 24 hours. Breath testing uses a certified breath alcohol technician and DOT procedures in 49 CFR Part 40. Failing to appear within 2 hours, failing to give enough breath in 2 attempts without a valid medical excuse, and obstructing the test are refusals treated as a 0.02 result (10 CFR 712.15(c)).

Supervisor role. Supervisors conduct an annual review and report concerns such as impairing disorders, conduct leading to arrest, deceitful behavior and other listed warning signs (10 CFR 712.13). Initial and annual instruction covers recognizing and responding to behavior changes that may risk national security or nuclear explosive safety (10 CFR 712.17). The FAQ on reasonable suspicion training for supervisors covers related observation skills, and the FAQ on the NRC fitness for duty program describes a comparable program for NRC licensees.