DRC-2014-006106 - 0901a068804a0966

INSPECTION REPORT
Inspection Module: RADMOD-TRAINING-01 (2014)
Radioactive Material License No. UT 1900479
Inspection Location: Energy Fuels Resources (USA), Bianding, UT
Inspection Date(s): September 24, 2014
Inspector: Boyd Imai, Utah Division of Radiation Control (DRC)
Personnel Contacted: Dan Hillsten, David Turk
Inspection Summary
The inspection was opened on September 24, 2014 with a meeting between the inspector and D.
Areas/Topics inspected included:
• Radiation Safety Training Outline
• Respiratory Protection Training
• Contractor Training
• Training Records
• Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) Qualifications
The inspector held a closeout meeting September 24, 2014 with D. Hillsten and D. Turk of Energy
Fuels Resources to review the inspection activities, observations, and conclusions.
Findings
No citable violations or deficiencies were observed during the inspection.
Inspection Items
Radiation Safety Training Outline
The Licensee provided training outlines for newly hired employees. Radiation training is provided
as part of the initial training given to all new employees. The Licensee makes a distinction between
"Inexperienced" and "Experienced" employees where experienced workers can receive an
abbreviated (1 hour vs 4 hours) training session. Respiratory protection is included in the training.
When relevant the Licensee conducts a "Prenatal Radiation Review" during the initial training.
All employees are required to attend annual radiation safety refresher training. Included in the
refresher training is a review of issues that occurred during the past year. Respiratory protection
refresher training is also included in the annual training.
Turk.
Page 1 of3
U:\MON_WAST\Bimai\wp\lnspections\Energy Fuel, Bianding, UT\2014\RADMOD-TRAiNlNG-01\lnspectionReportRev0.doc
A quarterly Radiation Safety Meeting is also conducted. Coincidentally, the latest one was held the
day of the inspection. Radiation protection issues relevant to current mill activities are presented
and discussed.
Respiratory Protection Training
Respiratory Protection Training is required by the Licensee for newly hired inexperienced workers.
A slightly abbreviated training in this regard may be given to other employees depending upon the
level of experience of the individual. Respirator fit testing is conducted during initial training and
during annual refresher training.
Contractor Training
Contractors performing work at the mill site are required to have radiation safety training. The level
of training may depend upon the length of time the contractor will be on site and the tasks and
locations the work will be performed. Minimum subject matter is prescribed in the Licensee's
Training Manual. Completion of the required training is documented in the Licensee's files.
Training Records
There were approximately 45 personnel currently employed at the mill. A sample (7) was selected
off of the staffs roster and the training records reviewed for those seven individuals.
Documentation for new employee radiation training, radiation protection refresher training, and
respiratory protection refresher training was reviewed.
No current employees were hired during calendar year 2014; therefore, no initial training records
were reviewed for this inspection. Of the seven employees six had documentation indicating that
the annual refresher training for radiation safety and respiratory protection had been received. The
records for the seventh worker indicated that the last refresher training was received on February 20,
2013.
When brought to the attention of the Licensee, it was determined that the individual in question had
an occupational injury just days prior to the scheduled refresher training which kept the employee
from attending. The employee had since returned to work but did not make up the training. The
employee was given the training during the time of the inspection and successful completion was
documented and placed in the employee's training file.
RSO Qualifications
Recently, due to a reduction in force, the sitting radiation safety officer (Ronnie Nieves) was let go.
He was replaced by a former RSO of the site, D. Turk who performed that function from December
2005 to July 2012. Earlier in review of the site's license renewal application the Utah Division of
Radiation Control vetted D. Turk as the RSO and found he possessed the necessary qualifications.
No further investigation in this regard occurred during this inspection.
Closeout Meeting
The inspector held a closeout meeting with D. Hillsten and D. Turk of Energy Fuels Resources
(USA) on September 24, 2014. The observations made during the inspection were summarized
during the meeting.
Page 2 of 3
U:\MON_WAST\Bimai\wp\Inspections\Energy Fuel, Bianding, (JT\2014\RADMOD-TRAINING-01\InspectionReportRev0.doc
Conclusion
The Licensee has a training program as described in its Book #13 Training Manual. The training
program contains all the required elements of such a program. The Licensee was able to provided
documented evidence that the program has been implemented and that training is conducted as
prescribed. Training records are maintained and readily retrievable.
The radiation safety program appears to be given the time and resources necessary to be compliant
and effective.
Recommendations for the Licensee
Since one deficiency was detected and corrected during the inspection regarding a delinquency in
the training of an employee, is recommended that the Licensee review all personnel annual training
records to ensure that no other employee had inadvertently failed to complete any required training.
It is recommended that the Licensee continue to include in its training proceedings current mill
activities as they may pertain to the workers and radiation safety.
Recommendation for the DRC Director
It is recommended that no enforcement action be taken at this time.
Prepared By: Boyd M. Imai P^jd' IIL IL^jy^. October 7,2014
(Name) ^(Signature) (Date)
Page 3 of 3
U:\MON_WAST\Bimai\wp\Inspections\Energy Fuel, Bianding, UT\2014\RADMOD-TRAINING-01\InspectionReportRev0.doc