Introduction - hdbk10990013

DOE-HDBK-1099-96

4. INTRODUCTION

Proper response to abnormal conditions is vital for ensuring personnel safety and protecting

facility equipment and the environment. Personnel must be able to take the immediate actions

necessary to safely mitigate the consequences of an unexpected or abnormal and potentially

dangerous condition. Drills focus on the actions that are necessary to respond to abnormal

conditions that present a hazard to personnel, equipment, or the environment.

The primary objective of a drill program is to train and qualify personnel. Drills are an integral

component for safe and efficient facility operation. To successfully achieve this goal, drill

participation should be integrated into initial and continuing training. An effective drill program is

one of the best means available to management for assuring that the operating staff can safely

deal with unplanned, potentially hazardous situations.

The rigor and detail of a drill program will vary with facility complexity and hazard potential. For

example, a drill conducted at a reactor facility may involve several people and require a high

level of detail, whereas a drill conducted at a site support facility may involve only a few people

and require less detail. Drills conducted on safety related systems or components at high hazard

facilities may require a large drill team using a detailed drill scenario, while drills conducted on

safety systems at a low hazard facility may require a drill team of only a few persons.

To ensure proper implementation of a drill program, the duties, roles, and responsibilities of

personnel involved and the mechanics for conducting the drill should be delineated. This

ensures consistency of development, conduct, evaluations, critiques, and feedback into the

training and drill programs. Alternative methods of conducting drills should be included as an

integral part of the drill program to ensure the program is meeting its intended mission of training

facility operating personnel. Facility management should determine the appropriate level of effort

and resources to implement each element of the drill program, consistent with the risk and

complexity of the facility.

Regardless of the size, complexity, and risk of a facility, an effective drill program includes the

following essential elements:

Developed drill scenarios