Change Needed in Procedures for Administering Retention of Knowledge Tests in Radiological Control

GAO investigated a Puget Sound Naval Shipyard employee's allegations concerning procedures for administering retention of knowledge tests in radiological control.

GAO found that the retention of knowledge testing procedures should be changed. GAO is concerned that the current procedures of advance notice, which result in high percentages of employees who are tested and who pass, may not be a true measure of employees' capabilities. In emergency situations, insufficient knowledge about radiological control could be serious. While retention of knowledge testing is only part of the Navy's total testing program, it appears to be important; otherwise, failure would not carry a penalty of loss of verification. Although not providing advance notice of the test may result in fewer employees being available to take the test, the results would be more conclusive of knowledge.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

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