IR 05000293/1979014
| ML19256E377 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Pilgrim |
| Issue date: | 09/05/1979 |
| From: | Mcbrearty R, Lester Tripp NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19256E375 | List: |
| References | |
| 50-293-79-14, NUDOCS 7911020240 | |
| Download: ML19256E377 (3) | |
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U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT Region I Report No. 50-293/79-14 Docket No. 50-293 License No. DPR-35 Pridrity Category C
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Licensee: Boston Edison Company M/C Nuclear 800 Boylston Street Boston, Massachusetts 02199
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Facility Naine:
Plymouth Nuclear Power Station Investigation at: P1'ymOuth, Massachusetts
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Investigation conducted:
July 12-13, 1979 Investigators: /
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9)f)77 R.A.McBrearty,ReactorInspepor ddte ' signed
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date signed date signed date signed Approved by:
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L. E. TripM Chief, Engineering Support Section date signed
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No. 1, RC&ES Branch
Investigation Sumary:
Investigation on July 12-13,1979 (Report No. 50-293/79-14)
Areas Investigated:
Investigation of an allegation that an unqualified welder was used to weld on the radwaste sump pump installation. Also, investigation of alleged improper welding by the welder. The investigation involved 4.5 hours5.787037e-5 days <br />0.00139 hours <br />8.267196e-6 weeks <br />1.9025e-6 months <br /> on-site by one regional based NRC inspector.
Results: The allegations were not substantiated.
No items of noncompliance were identified.
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DETAILS 1.
Persons Contacted Boston Edison Company
- C. Mathis, Senior Plant Engineer
- C Vantrease, Acting Station Manager Crouse Nuclear Energy Services Company D. Dunlevy, Project Manager B. Royek, Craft Superintendent Other Individuals contacted by telephone off-site.
- denotes those present at the exit interview.
2.
Allegation Concerning Use of Unqualified Welder The NRC, on July 11, 1979, received an allegation concerning welding done at the Pilgrim Nuclear Station in 1978 made by a welder at Pilgrim, through the office of Senator E. Kennedy.
It was alleged that, during the period June - August,1978, the alleger was employed by the Crouse Nuclear Energy Services Company and was the only qualified welder available to weld on the radwaste sump pump installation during that period of time.
It was further alleged that the welder informed his General Foreman that, because of the radiation level d'l) in the work area, one welder could not complete the work before receiving his limit of exposure to radiation. The welder stated that he did receive the maximum allowable exposure, was taken off the job and a second, unqualified welder was brought in to complete the work.
The alleger stated that the second welder did not weld properly,in that the welds were to be made using the Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (.GTAW) process for the root pass and the Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) process for the filler passes, but that the second welder used the SMAW process for the entire weld.
The inspector examined welder qualification records and employment records for Crouse Company welders which indicated that the alleger was not the only qualified Crouse Company welder available at the Pilgrim site during the time in question.
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When this information was discussed with the alleger on July 31, 1979, he stated that there would not be any other welder's name in the records.
He stated that the foreman had assigned another person (non-welder) to complete the welding.
He alleged that the records weald not reflect this situation in that his stamp and number had been used.
The Maintenance Summary and Control Sheet, MR log number 78-1943, identifies welding procedure C-47, Revision 2 as the applicable procedure and associated welding procedure qualification records indicate that the procedure was qualified using GTAW and SMAW processes.
Records identifying the welding process used were not available and the inspector could not ascertain that the welds were made using only the SMAW process as alleged, but Section IX, Paragraph QW-201.3 of the ASME Code permits this use of a single process.
The inspector found that the unavailability of certain records was due to the non-nuclear safety related category of the work, and that there was no requirement for quality control coverage of the work.
This classification results in such areas not being subject to NRC regulation and inspection.
3.
Conclusions a.
The non-nuclear safety related category of the work resulted in a lack of records and no requirement for quality control coverage of the work. Systems and work so classified are not subject to NRC reculation and inspection, b.
Welder qualification records and Crouse Company employment records indicate that more than one qualifid welder was available at the site during the period in question.
c.
The alleged unqualified welder was not identified by the alleger, therefore, his qualification status could not be determined.
The alleger was advised of the above, but could not be persuaded to identify the welder.
d.
The alleged exclusive use of the SMAW process could not be substantiated, but it is pennitted by Section IX of the ASME B&PV Code.
4.
Exit Interview An exit interview was held on July 13, 1979 in conjunction with the exit interview for Inspection 79-13.
Those in attendance are designated in Paragraph 1.
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