Review of staffing requirements for near-term operating license facilities. Final report

The results of a literature search to determine whether trade-offs in staffing configurations could be used to compensate for less than desired number of licensed operators at nuclear power plants are reported. The alternatives examined included working longer shifts, reducing the number of licensed operators required in the control room, and using individuals with less training and experience. The results were inconclusive, but the least desirable alternative is using less qualified personnel. Long shift hours probably result in some performance decrement, as compared to eight-hour shifts, but the extent of the decrement is uncertain. A reduction in manning is the favored alternative, but this holds only for normal plant operation.