Pursuing leads.

DOE-EM-STD-5505-96

following an operator conducting rounds throughout the activity, an assessor can normally review

the following documents:

Operator round/tour inspection sheets and other narrative logs

Activity operating procedures at various work stations

Radiological control postings and survey logs

Control area operating logs and other documents that may be kept in the control room such as

the Lockout and Tagout log, Material Deficiency log, Occurrence Notification lists, etc.

Operator aids log

As stated above, documents can also be reviewed as a separate activity. Complicated documents

such as program procedures and policy manuals may require dedicated, in-depth review by

assessors. These reviews can be done at the activity (in a meeting room, for example), or at the

assessment team's operating base.

5.8.4. Pursuing leads. "Pursuing leads" is the process of following up on an apparent

deviation from requirements using observations, interviews, and document reviews. A lead is

considered a deviation from expectations or an apparent deviation from requirements that is

developed as a result of observations, interviews, or document reviews. The process of pursuing

leads should continue until all leads have been validated, and any programmatic breakdowns or

widespread problems are identified, or until sufficient evidence exists to disprove the apparent

discrepancy. The ability to identify leads and pursue leads depends on the intuition, experience,

and tenacity of the assessor. To effectively identify leads, an assessor must:

Trust intuition. If something does not seem right, keep looking until verified right or wrong.

Do not assume more than evidence supports.

Maintain a questioning attitude about all that is observed during the assessment.

Be familiar with the requirements of each area of conduct of operations and activity policies

and procedures.