IR 05000298/1998013
| ML20217A735 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Cooper  |
| Issue date: | 04/17/1998 |
| From: | Murray B NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20217A579 | List: |
| References | |
| 50-298-98-13, NUDOCS 9804220319 | |
| Download: ML20217A735 (14) | |
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ENCLOSURE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
REGION IV
i Docket No.:
50-298 License No.:
DPR 46 Report No.:
50-298/98-13 Licensee:
Nebraska Public Power District Facility:
Cooper Nuclear Station Location:
P.O. Box 98 Brownville, Nebraska Dates:
April 6-9,1998
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l Inspector:
J. Blair Nicholas, Ph.D., Senior Radiation Specialist l
Plant Support Branch Approved By:
Blaine Murray, Chief, Plant Support Branch l
Division of Reactor Safety Attachment:
Supplemental Information
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9804220319 980417 PDR ADOCK 05000298 G
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-2-EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Cooper Nuclear Station NRC Inspection Report 50-298/98-13 This announced, routine inspection reviewed the implementation of tite solid radioactive waste management and the radioactive waste / materials transportation programs. Training and l
qualifications, quality assurance oversight, facilities and equipment, procedural guidance, and annual reports were also reviewed. Overall, good solid radioactive waste management and the radioactive waste / materials transportation programs were implemented properly.
Plant Sucoort A good solid radioactive waste managr, ment program was implemented. Waste stream
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sampling and analyses met regulator) requirements. Solid radioactive waste was properly classified and characterized for shipment and disposal. The amount of solid radioactive waste generated showed a significant reduction from 1993 to 1994. The amount of solid radioactive waste generated between 1994 and 1997 was below the boiling water reactor national average (Section R1.1).
A good transportation program for radioactive materials and radioactive waste was
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maintained. Documentation and packages were properly prepared for shipment (Section R1.2).
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Good facilities were maintained for the processing, storage, and management of solid
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radioactive wastes and transportation activities. An effective radioactive waste inventory / accountability system was maintained. Housekeeping in the radioactive waste processing and storage areas was good (Section R2).
Procedures and checklists established to implement the solid radioactive waste
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management and transportation programs pro"ided proper guidance for the handling, processing, and shipping of redioactive waste / materials (Section R3).
Personnelinvolved in the transfer, packaging, and transport of radioactive materials and
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wastes were properly trained and qualified (Section RS).
J A proper organization and staff were maintained which effectively implemented the solid
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radioactive waste management and transportation programs (Section R6).
An effective self assessment program of the solid radioactive waste management and
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transportation programs was maintained. Timely and effective corrective actions were completed on identified problems. There was appropriate evaluation of the contractors'
performance (Section R7),
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-3-Report Details Summarv of Plant Status The plant operated at full power during this inspection.
IV. Plant Sunoort R1 Radiological Protection and Chemistry (RP&C) Controls R1.1 Solid Radioactive Waste Manaoement a.
Insoection Scooe (86750)
The inspector interviewed the radiological support supervisor, radwaste specialist, and radiation protection technicians assigned to implement the solid radioactive waste management program. The following sclid radioactive waste program activities were reviewed:
Waste stream sampling results and waste characterization documentation
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Scaling factors
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Solid radioactive waste classification
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Quantities of radioactive waste chipped for disposal
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Waste minimization program
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Annual radioactive waste effluent release reports
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b.
Observations and Findinos l
l Tne inspector verified that waste stream samples were taken annually and analyzed to meet 10 CFR Part 61 requirements for waste classification and characterization. Five l
l waste streams were identified that consisted of dry active waste, resins, and filters. The l
waste stream samples were analyzed by a contractor laboratory. Scaling factors L
determined from waste stream sample analyses wore updated at least annually and used in the radwaste calculations for radwaste characterization.
The inspector noted that the licensee had reduced the amount of solid radioactive waste generated during the past 5 years. Radworker awareness to minimize radioactive waste when performing their assigned tasks was enhanced through general employee training.
Licensee data trends showed these radwaste minimization efforts were effective.
The volume of solid radioactive dry active waste buried after segregation, processing, and volume reduction was tracked by the licensee. A summary of the volume of solid radioactive dry active waste buried for 1993 through 1997 is presented in the table below. For 1993 through 1997, the licensee's data showed a decline in solid radioactive dry active waste generated and buried. The licensee met their dry active waste generation goals establisned for 1996 and 1997. The increase in volume of dry active waste generated and buried :n 1997 was the result of outage activities and a major station cleanup. A comparson of the licensee's 3-year average amounts of solid i
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radioactive waste generated for the periods 1993 through 1995,1994 through 1996, and
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l 1995 through 1997 to the industry's 3-year median values for the respective time periods showed that the licensee generated less solid radioactive waste than the industry's t
l 3-year median values for boiling water reactors over the past 5 years.
Dry Active Waste Reduction Results (Cubic Meters of Dry Active Waste Buried)
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1993 216.35 1994 10.56 l
1995 13.44 1996 15.23
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1997 23.40 l
The annual radioactive effluent release reports contained the required solid radioactive t
waste data. Dry active waste was shipped to an off site contractor for volume reduction
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and subsequent burial. A summary of the volume and activity of solid radioactive waste
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including resins, irradiated components, and dry active waste shipped for volume
reduction and subsequent disposal during the last 5 years is tabulated below. The l
increases in volume and activity for 1596 were the result of outage activities and the I
shipment of accumulated irradiated components that had been stored in the spent fuel l
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Number Of Volume ActivP.y Year Shipments (m')
(Ci)
1993
304.1 1038.4 I
1994
58.2 949.1 1995
51.5 405.1 1996
121.9 32,705.5
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61.5 422.9 c.
Conclusions A good solid radioactive waste management program was implemented. Waste stream sampling and analyres met regulatory requirements. Solid radivactive waste was properly classificd and characterized for shipment and disposal. The amount of solid
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5-radioactive waste generated showed a significant reduction from 1993 to 1994. From 1994 through 1996, the amount of dry active waste generated and buried remained fairly steady at approximately 13 cubic meters. The licensee's 3-year average amount of solid radioactive waste generated from 1993 through1997 showed that the licensee generated less solid radioactive waste than the industry's 3-year median values for boiling water reactors over the past 5 years.
R1.2 Transoortation of Radioactive Waste and Radioactive Materials a.
Insoection Scooe (86Z5.Q)
The inspector interviewed the radiological support supervisor and radwaste specialist and reviewed the following items:
Shipping documentation for selected radioactive materials / waste shipments
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. Certificates of compliance for NRC-certified shipping casks
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Copies of current licenses for recipients of radioactive materials /wastet,
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Packaging and shipping papers
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Marking and labeling of packages for shipment
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Vehicle placarding and driver instructions
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Emergency response information
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Radiation surveys of packages and vehicles
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Use of system international (SI) units
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Qblervations and Findinas Selected shipping records for shipments performed between January 1997 and March 1998 showed that the licensee had made shipments of both radioactive waste and radioactive materials. Shipments requiring Type B packaging were made by the licensee. The inspector venfied that Certificates of Compliance for routinely used shipping casks were current and that the licensee was a registered user for the NRC-certified shipping casks used.
No shipments of radioactive materials or radioactive wastes were made during the week of the inspection; therefore, no observations of actual shipment preparation were possible.
i State shipping permits were verified to be current. The inspector verified that the licensee maintained on file current copies of consignees' radioactive materiallicenses.
The licensee performed all shipping calculations using a hand calculator to determine proper radioactive material trarc,sortation categories, shipping packages, labeling, and shipment documentation. The quality assurance audit pedormed in March 1996 made the observation that the failure to use advanced computing methods could introduce a greater potential for error in the shipping calculations. However, nc problems were identified. The licensee had purchased a radwaste computer code for performing radwaste calculations and preparation of shipping documentation. However, the licensee had not implemented the use of the computer code in preparing radioactive materials / waste shipments at the time of the inspectio.
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-6-Shipping papers for radioactive material shipments contained the information required by 49 CFR Part 172, Subpart C. In addition to this information, radioactive waste shipment documentation included manifests that conformed to the requirements of 10 CFR Part 20, Appendix F and 49 CFR 173.433. Shipping documents included radioactive activity measurements recorded in system international units as well as customary units.
The inspector verified that proper emergency telephone numbers were included with the shipping papers. Radiation survey records documented that radiation and contamination levels of shipments were within regulatory limits.
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Conclusions A good transportation program for radioactive materials and radioactive waste was maintained. Documentation and packages were properly prepared for shipment.
R2 Status of Facilities and Equipment a.
Insoection Secoe (86750)
l The inspector toured the radwaste processing facilities and the multipurpose facility and l
observed radwaste container storage and accountability.
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Findinas and Observations
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Inspection of the radioactive waste processing and storage facilities revealed that good i
radwaste facilities were maintained. The radwaste processing and storage areas were l
property posted and controlled. Radioactive waste containers were properly labeled and i
marked. Housekeeping in the radioactive waste processing and storage areas was j
good.
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i Shipments of radioactive wastes were made in a timely manner to maintain the t
l radioactive waste inventory at a minimum. The licensee kept good records of radwaste
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container accountability. The inspector verified that selected radwa",te containers were
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stored as documented. The inspector concluded that the licensee could account for all of the radioactive waste inventory.
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Conclusions l
Good facilities were maintained for the processing, storage, and management of solid l
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radioactive wastes and transportation activities. An effective radioactive waste inventory / accountability system was maintained. Housekeeping in the radioactive waste processing and storage areas was good.
R3 Radiological Protection and Chemistry Procedures and Documentation a.
Insoection Scooe (86750)
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The inspector reviewed the procedures used to implement the solid radioactive waste management and transportation programs.
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Observations and Findinos The inspector determined that excellent guidance was provided in the radwaste procedures for radioactive waste stream sampling and contractor laboratory analyses and the updating of new waste stream sample analysis results and resulting scaling factors for each respective waste stream. Effective checklists were utilized to provide guidance for the preparation of radioactive waste and radioactive materials shipments.
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Conclusions
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Procedures and checklists established to implement the solid radioactive waste management and transportation programs provided excellent guidance for the handling, processing, and shipping of radioactive waste / materials.
l R4 Staff Knowledge and Performance The ir$spector interviewed the radiological support supervisor, radwaste specialist, and the several radiation protection technicians, who were responsible for the implementation of the solid radioactive waste management program and performance of radioactive i
waste / materials shipping activities. The radwaste specialist and the radiation protection technicians were very experienced, and all radiological support personnel had an excellent working knowledge of the transportation re0ulations.
RS Staff Training and Qualification in Radiological Protection and Cherr.istry a.
insoection Scoce (86750)
The inspector reviewed the training of personnel who were responsible for the f
preparation and packaging of radioactive waste and radioactive materials for shipment.
The inspector reviewed the following items:
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Training materials related to 49 CFR Parts 171-179 and 10 CFR Part 71
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Personnel training and qualification records
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Observations and Findinos
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The inspector verified that personnel training records documented that the radiological j
support staff assigned the responsibility to implement the solid radioactive waste i
processing and transportation activities were properly trained and qualified.
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An effective biennial retraining program was conducted in accordance with commitments I
made in the responte to NRC Biatin 79-19, " Packaging of Low-Level Radioactive V!aste for Transport and Burial." Training records indicated that the radiological support staff, two quality assurance department auditors, and a health physics training instructor had received the required training in radioactive waste processing and transportation regulatory requirements on a biennial frequency. The training department's program descriptions and lesson plans and vendor supplied course materia's provided a comprehensive training progra.
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Conclusions Personnelinvolved in the transfer, packaging, and shipping of radioactive materials and radioactive wastes were properly trained and qualified.
R6 Radiological Protection and Chemistry Organization and Administration The organization and staffing for the implementation of the solid radioactive waste management and transportation programs were reviewed. The radiological support supervisor and radwaste specialist assisted by the decontamination crew leader and four radiation protection technicians effectively implemented the radioactive waste management and transportation programs. The radiological support supervisor had changed in the past 1% years. There had been no reduction in the radiological support staff since the previous inspection of this area conducted in September 1996.
R7 Quality Assurance in Radiological Protection and Chemistry Activities R7.1 Solid Radioactive Waste and Transoortation Proaram Assessments a.
Insoection Scooe (86750)
The following items were reviewed to evaluate the licensee's effectiveness at identifying and correcting problems.
Training and qualifications of auditors
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Biennial quality assurance audit
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Departmentalself assessment
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Quality assurance surveillances
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Performance improvement requests of radioactive waste and transportation
activities b.
Observations and Findinas A radiological controls and monitoring audit, which included a review of the solid Iadioactive waste management and transportation programs, was conducted on a 24-month frequency. Audit 96-17, " Radiological Controls and Monitoring," was conducted November 15 through December 12,1996. The inspector determined that the audit was comprehensive in its review of solid radioactive waste management and transportation activities. The audit team included experienced auditors, who were trained and knowledgeable of the current transportation regulatory requirements. The
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training, qualifications, and experience of the auditors were appropriate.
A self assessment of the radiation protection department, which included an assessment of the solid radioactive waste management and radioactive waste / materials transportation programs, was conducted in March 1996. The self assessment evaluated
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-9-observations of radioactive material / waste handling, processing, and shipping activities in progress. The results of the self assessment provided to radiological department management an evaluation of solid radioactive waste management and transportation j
programs performance and effectiveness.
Audit and self assessment issues were tracked by the performance improvernent request i
and continuing improvement tracking systems. The inspector noted that the licensee
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responded promptly and provided timely and effective corrective actions to the audit and self assessment issues. Based on the review of the performance improvement requests involving radioactive waste activities written during 1997 and 1998, no adverse programmatic trends were noted.
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ConclunlRDS A good self assessment program was maintained. Through the use of audits and self asses,sments, an effective management oversight program for the solid radioactive waste management and transportation programs was maintained. The members of the audit team were trained and knowledgeable in radioactive waste management and transportation regulatory requirements. Timely and effective corrective actions were completed on identified problems.
R7.2 Quality Evaluation Prooram for Contractors a.
Insoection Scoce (86750)
Th3 supplier quality assurance audit program of contractors performing solid radioactive waste management program support activities was reviewed.
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Observations and Findinos l
Contractors were used to perform the processing of solid radioactive waste and volume reduction, radwaste transportation and cask rental, radwaste disposal services, and l
radiochemistry analyses of radwaste samples for 10 CFR Part 61 waste classification and characterization requirements.
Nuclear procurement issues committee audits of the contractors were used to evaluate the performance of their respective radwaste activities. The audits were comprehensive and satisfactory to evaluate each of the contractor's abilities to perform their respective radwaste program activities.
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ConclusiQD There was appropriate evaluation of the contractors' performance.
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s-10 V. Management Meetinas X1 Exit Meeting Summary The inspector presented the inspection results to members of licensee management at an exit meeting on April 9,1998. The licensee acknowledged the findings presented.
No proprietary information was identified.
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O ATTACHMENT SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION q
PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED i
Licensea j
S. Blitchington, ALARA Supervisor, Radiological Department L. Bray, Specialist, Nuclear Licensing and Safety Department j
G. Bray, Auxiliary Equipment Supervisor, Operations Department T. Chard, Assistant Radiation Protection Manager, Radiological Department K. Fike, Chemist, Radiological Department M. Hale, Radiation Protection Manager, Radiological Department B. Houston, Manager, Nuclear Licensing and Safety Department D. Jones, Decontamination Crewleader, Radiological Department J. Kuttler, Radwaste Specialist, Radiological Department L. Lockard, Chemistry Supervisor, Radiological Department L Newman, Manager, Operations Department M. Peckham, Plant Manager R. Sessons, Senior Manager, Quality Assurance Department
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J. Teton, Chemistry Crew Leader, Radiological Department
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N. Thoms, Nuclear Environmental / industrial Safety Supervisor, Radiological Department
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C. Weers, Radiological Support Sup,rvisor, Radiological Department B. Williams, Radiation Protection Technician, Radiological Department HflG M. Miller, Senior Resident inspector C. Skinner, Resident inspector j
G. Guerra, Radiation Specialist LIST OF INSPECTION PROCEDURES USED IP 86750 Solid Waste Management and Transportation of Radioactive Waste LIST OF DOCUMENTS REVIEWED ORGANIZATION CHARTS Radiological Department - February 1998 TRAINING DOCUMENTATION l
Vendor Training Course, " Radioactive Waste Packaging. Transportation, and Disposal,"
j presented July 21-24,1997
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-2-Training Program Description 0440, " Radioactive Material Shipping," Revision 1 Training Program Description 0446, " Rad Material Shipping," Revision 0 Training Program Description 3213, "incomb ' ansport Vehicle," Revision 2 Training Program Description 3214, " Outgoing Transport Vehicle," Revision 2 Training Program Description 3215, " Supervise Loading Van Shipment," Revision 2 Training Program Description 3216, " Supervise Loading Cask Shipment," Revision 3 Training Program Description 3217, " Rad. Mat. Shipment Records," Revision 0 j
Training Program Description 3254, " Package Laundry for Shipment," Revision 0 Training Program Description 3255, " Package items for Volume Reduction," Revision 0 Training Program Description 3256, " Package items for Shipment," Revision 0 Training Program Description 3257, " Package items for Disposal," Revision 0 Lesson Plan for Health Physics Technician Training, OTH010-10-01, Revision 0, "49 CFR Transportation" Lesson Plan for Health I?./ sics Technician Training, OTH010-01-01, Revision 6, "Radwaste Packaging and Handling" Radiological department training records Licensee's response to NRC inspection and En orcement Bulletin 79-19 QUALITY ASSURANCE DOCUMENTS
Quality Assurance 1997 - 2000 Audit Schedule Quality Assurance Audit Scoping Plan, ASP-402," Radiological Controls," Revision 2 Quality Assurance Program Approval for Radioactive Material Pad. ages, expiration date November 30, 2002 Quality Assurance Audit Quality Assurance Audit Report 96-17, " Radiological Control and Monitoring,"
November 15 - December 12,1996
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-3-Quality Assurance Surveillance Quality Assurance Surveillance Report S402-9703, " Radiological Safety and Controls" Vendor Audits NUPlc Joint Quality Assurance Audit of Scientific Ecology Group, conducted April 15-19,1996 NUPlO Joint Quality Assurance Audit of Thermal Nuclear Services (TMS - Richmond),
conducted October 31 through November 2,1994 Self Assessment Self Assessment Report, " Radiation Protection Program," conducted March 25,19%
PROCEDURES Radioloaical Protection Procedures 9.5.3.1
- Radioactive Shipments," Revision 12 9.5.3.12
" Filling Containers with Waste / Radioactive Material," Revision 1.1 9.RW.2
" Condensate Waste Resins, Spent Resins, RWCU Resins, and Waste Sludge Classification and Listing," Revision 0
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" Dry Radioactive Waste Classification and Listing," Revision 0
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9.RW.4
" Control of On-site Storage of RWCU and Condensate Resins and Wastes (Transfer into Storage)," Revision 0 9.RW.5
" Control of On-site Storage of RWCU and Condensate Resins and Wastes (Transfer Out Of Storage)," Revision 0 9.RW.6
" Control of On-site Dry Active Waste Storage," Revision 0 l
9.RW.7
" Waste Stream Sampling," Revision 0 Radwaste Proced_y.Leji 2.5.1.2
"Radwaste Low Conductivity Liquid Waste Condensate Phase Separator Fluid Transfer," Revision 20 2.5.1,3
"Radwaste Low Conductivity Liquid Waste Spent Resin Tank Fluid Transfer,"
Revision 12 2.5.1.7
"RWCU Phase Separator Tank Transfer," Revision 17 2.5.4.4
"NUPAC Dewatering System," Revision 4
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-4-MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS -
Annual Operating Radioactive Effluent Reports - 1903 through 1996 l
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