Facility Drill and Walk-Through Programs

DOE-HDBK-1118-99

The facility's procedure describing the conduct of operations and maintenance should provide

the basis for team training. It should describe individual roles and responsibilities during

normal, abnormal, and emergency conditions. Exercises should provide opportunities for

teams to practice their teamwork and diagnostic skills in routine evolutions, as well as in

abnormal and emergency situations. The same professional demeanor expected of the team

in the facility should be maintained and reinforced during all training.

The individuals who normally work together should make up the teams for training, including

maintenance personnel and technical staff. Some team exercises should prepare all

personnel to function together effectively, regardless of team composition. The interface

between the operations, maintenance, technical staff, and operations support (Health Physics,

Chemical Operators, etc.) should be included in some exercises and facility walk-throughs to

maintain and improve proficiency in the interaction of these personnel. The DOE Guide to

Good Practices for Teamwork Training and Diagnostic Skills Development provides information

regarding the use and principles of teamwork and diagnostics.

Proficiency in using emergency procedures should be considered when determining the

amount of training to schedule. Facilities that do not have a facility-referenced simulator or

training laboratories should consider other methods to provide this important training such as

facility drills, use of shop space, and walk-throughs. Increased amounts of classroom time or

expansion of a facility drill and walk-through program may be necessary to develop the desired

proficiency.

3.1.2 Facility Drill and Walk-Through Programs

Facility drills and walk-throughs provide a means of training individuals to respond to

conditions that cannot be covered adequately in the classroom, laboratory, or simulator. All

employees should participate in the facility drill and walk-through program to upgrade their

skills on evolutions such as facility evacuation, failure of equipment, fire brigade responsibilities

(if applicable), and selected tasks performed outside of normal operations. Employee

performance should be evaluated against established criteria such as performance tests or

other standards. Scheduled facility activities should be considered in planning skills training.

For example, training on facility startup after a modification should be completed immediately

before the actual startup.