New Rules for Nuclear Plant Workers: 12-Hour Days for Two Weeks Straight
- U.S. bending of nuclear-plant rules not a good idea, foes say
- Longer shifts come as utilities seek to delay some inspections
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Nuclear power plants can now implement longer shifts for workers and delay some inspections, raising concerns that as the coronavirus pandemic upends basic operations the industry may be bending the rules too far.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is already allowing six U.S. power plants to extend workersâ shifts, to as long as 12 hours a day for two weeks, and more may be coming. Thatâs up significantly from current standards that require people to get two-to-three days off a week when pulling shifts that long. Employees can also work as many as 86 hours in a week now, up from 72 hours.