NRC ORDER – Order

On November 19, 2020, the NRC issued a Confirmatory Order (CO) to Armed Forces Radiobiological Research Institute (AFRRI) memorializing commitments reached during an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mediation session held on September 18, 2020. The commitments were made as part of the settlement agreement between AFRRI and the NRC based on evidence gathered during an investigation in which the NRC had identified an apparent violation of 10 CFR 50.7, “Employee protection,” at the AFRRI Bethesda, MD facility. The apparent violation involved the discrimination (2-day suspension) against an AFRRI employee for engaging in protected activities. As a result of the CO, AFRRI committed to a number of corrective actions, including enhancements to its safety culture program, establishment of a Safety Conscious Work Environment program, as well as, independent third-party support. In consideration of the corrective actions and commitments outlined in the CO, the NRC will not cite the apparent violation and will not issue an associated civil penalty.