IR 05000312/1978001
| ML19309A146 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Rancho Seco |
| Issue date: | 02/13/1978 |
| From: | Book H, Thomas R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION V) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19309A140 | List: |
| References | |
| 50-312-78-01, 50-312-78-1, NUDOCS 8003260861 | |
| Download: ML19309A146 (10) | |
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U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT
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REGION V
Report No. 50-312/78-01 Docket No. 50-312 1.icense No.
DPR-54 Safeguards Group Licensee:
Sacramento Municipal Utility District P. O. Box 15830
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Sacramento, California 95813 Facility Name: Rancho Seco Inspection at: Clay Station, ' California
- Inspection cond ted:
January 17, 23-27, 31, 1978'
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Inspectors * l'.k $t
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R. D. Thomas, Radiation Specialist 1) ate S1gned Date Signed W
13/7F Approved by:
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H. E. Book, Chief,. Fuel Facility and Materials
'Date/ Signed Safety Branch Sumary:
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. Inspection on January 17, 23-27,* 31,1978 (Report No. 50-312/78-01)
Areas Insoected:
Suspension of I & C Tecnnicians; IE Circular followup; Licensee Event Followup; Coolant water quality including primary and secondary coolant and cooling tower blowdown;. Quality control of analytical measurements including tests, calibrations and procedures; Emergency planning including coordination 'with offsite agencies, facilities, equipment, kits, procedures, tests,,and drills; and independent inspection effort. The inspection involv.td 42 inspector-hours onsite by one inspector.
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Results: Of the ten areas inspected, no apparent items of noncompliance or deviations.were identified.
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DETAILS
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1.
Persons Contacted
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Sacramento Municipal Utility District
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- R. Columbo, Administrative Assistant
- R. Miller, Chemical and Radiation Protection Supervisor
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T. Morrill,' Senior Chemical and Radiation Assistant
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S. Nicolls, Chemical and Radiation Assistant
F. Xallie, Nuclear Chemist D. Martin, Environmental Specialist
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- H. Schumacher, Safety Technician D. Cass, Maintenance Supervisor R. Turner, Maintenance - Mechanical Foreman D. Low, Associate Electrical Engineer, I & C P. Baldwin, Document Control Coordinator, Quality Assurance J. Mau, Training Supervisor D. Brown, I & C Technician
- J. McColligan, Assistant Superintendent. Technical Support
- R. Rodriguez, Manager of Nuclear Operations s
Others R. Watson, Administrative Officer, Department of Forestry - Ione
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F. Harbert Assistant Chief - Galt Fire District J. Arlin, Chief - Galt Fire District i
S. Paul, Nurse Supervisor - Galt Medical Group R. Ripple M. D. Director, Nuclear Medicine, Sutter General Hospital, Sacramento T. Brennan, Medical Physicist and RSO, Sutter General Hospital, Sacramento C. Jackson, Dir'ector, Environmental and Safety Division, DOE (Telephone Contact)
D. Mastretti, Office of Emergency Services - State of California
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(Telephone Contact)
J. Mehl, Sacramento County Emergency Communications Center (Telephone Contact)
- Denotes those attending the exit interview.
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2.
Suspension of I & C Technicians A company employee reported by telephone to the Region V office on January 16,1978,,tnat eight I & C technicians refused to enter the
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containment during 100 percent power runs for the purpose of cali-(
brating remote area monitors. The employee ;tated that he wanted
to consult with the inspector since the site management had imposed a three days without pay restriction on the eight technicians.
The employee did not allege any noncompliance with NRC regulations, but merel felt that NRC snould be aware of the situation.
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The Manager of Nuclear Operations called prior to the above date to inform the Region V office that he had suspended the technicians and his reasons for the action.
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The matter of the suspended employees was reviewed onsite on January 17,1978.with management and a representative for the technicians. Plant management stated disciplinary action was taken due to insubordination. The technicians' viewpoints were that they did not want to enter the containment and subject themselves to the risk of radiation exposure and/or being trapped inside during a
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LOCA just to perform the quarterly calibration of radiation area monitors.
Licensee records disclosed that a radiation survey was conducted on January 13, 1977 at the time of entry of twg other I & C technicQns.
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The15urveyindicatedairborne1eveisof10 uci/mi gaseous, 10
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uci/ml particulate, surface contamination of 200-50r dpm/100 cm,
and radiation levels (gamma) of 1.0-7.0 mrem /hr in the work area.
The maximum personnel exposure was 12 mrems as recorded on a dosimeter. Time spent in the area by the technicians was one hour and five minutes. The calculated stay time was 63 hours7.291667e-4 days <br />0.0175 hours <br />1.041667e-4 weeks <br />2.39715e-5 months <br /> without respiratory protection. The reactor building was being purged at the time of the survey.
An examination of the records and discussions with personnel in-dicated no discrepancies in areas 'of NRC jurisdiction. The situation appears to be a matter of management / employee relations. As a result of the inspector's review of the situation, this matter is considered closed.
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3.
Licensee Event Followup The licensee reported to the NRC Region V office by telephone on January 9, 1978 and followed with a letter dated January 18, 1978, that during the period of December 6,1977 to January 1,1978, there were five occasions wherein plant water discharge exceeded pH limits specified in Appendix B, Section 2.4 of the Technical
Specifications. The report was filed in accordance with Appendix B, Section 5.6.2.C. of the Technical Specifications.
An examination of the records of the Plant Review Comittee and discussions with the licensee indicated that corrective action is
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- being taken to prohibit the recurrence of the above situation.
Procedure AP 306.Section III is being changed to require the sampling and review of the c lsom Canal pH levels on a weekly o
basis. The procedural change is to be completed by February 28, 1978.
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-3-Since the licensee identified the noncompliance with the Technical Specifications, made the required notifications in a timely manner, and took the proper corrective actions, a citation was not issued
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and the situation is considered closed.
4.
Coolant Water Quality An examination of the records related to coolant water quality was conducted for the period of January 1,1977 through December 30,
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1977. The area 3 examined were the reactor coolant, secondary coolant, and b: owdown from the cooling towers. All periodic tests required by Table 4.1-3 of Appendix A of the Technical Specifications wer( performed in a timely manner and the results were acceptable.
The I-131 cogcentration in the secondary coolant sy.; tem was in the order of 10' uci/ml which is well within Technical Specifications l imitations.
The limitations specified in Section 3.1.5 of the Technical
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Specifications for oxygen, chloride and fluoride were examined.
Tests are being performed in a timely manner and *he results were acceptable.
Tests for boron concentrations were not examined during this inspection.
No items of noncompliance or deviations were identified.
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5.
Quality Control of Analytical Measurements A.
Program l
The QC program for the analytical laboratory was examined.
The licensee stated that some changes had been made to upgrade the program.
Changes in the program since the last inspection i
consisted of a nuclear chemist being assigned to review all laboratory data and calibrations for consistency with oper-ational specifications. A health physicist has also been assigned to review all analytical measurements associated with
- health physics procedures.
A quality assurance manual is being developed by the nuclear chemist to incorporate all analytical test procedures.
The manual will establish the criteria and instructions to assure that deficiencies and deviations in the program are recognized and identified.
Formal audits will be performed by the nuclear chemist and health physicist in accordanco with the specifications in the manual. All results of program audits and inspections will be
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documented and submitted to supervision for review and approval.
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-4-Currently, periodic-audits of the analytical laboratory data and calibrations are being performed by Nuclear Water and
- Waste Technology of San Jose, California. The audits consist of a review of the daily laboratory log sheets to verify concurrence with operational specifications. To date, several audits have been performed with acceptable results..
No items of noncompliance or deviations were identified.
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B.
Procedures An examination of the analytical laboratory records indicated tnat two revisions had been made in the laboratory procedures associated with AP-306.
Revision No. 5 changed the process standard limitations for chloride and fluoride content in the primary coolant. The chloride limit was changed to 0.15 ppm from 0.10 ppm. The fluoride limit was changed to 0.15 ppm from 0.10 ppm. These changes were made to be consistent with
the Technical Specifications.
Revision No. 6 made changes in the secondary coolant chemistry specifications, and the graded action levels when an out of
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specification condition exists in the feedwater on startup,
feedwater at normal power, moisture separator reheater drains, feedwater heater drains, OTSG steam chemistry, and the polishing demineralizers. All changes were consistent with Technical Specifications limitations.
No items of. noncompliance or deviations were identified.
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C.
Records An examination of the laboratory records for 1977 was con-ducted.
The type and number of required checks of measurements and the frequency for making the checks were observed. All checks were made in a proper and timely manner.
The records indicated that formal followup actions are being taken by the Plant Review Connittee on all ideni.ified deficiencies.
No items of noncompliance ur ueviations were identified.
6.
Emergency Planning
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Offsite Agencies (1) Sutter General Hosp;tal was visited and discussions were held with the Director of Nuclear Medicine and the.
Medical Physic'ist. A tour of the facility indicated that the hospital is well equipped and staffed to handle
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contaminated patients. All emergency radiation instru-mentation was in current calibration. The emergency procedures manual was up-to-date. Sutter General Hospital maintains an in-house " Emergency Decontamination Support
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Plan" for the handling of contaminated patients. The
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service contract was renewed on January 25, 1978.
l (2) The Forestry Fire Fighting Academy in Ione, California was visited. Discussion was held with the Administrative Officer. A Memorandum of Underst&nding was on file indicating an agreement between SMUD and the Department
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of Forestry to use the facilities in the case of site i
evacuation. The agreement is for five years (January 1, 1977 - October 30,1982).
(3) The Galt Fire District station was visited.
Discussions were held with the Fire Chief and the Assistant Fire Chief. The Galt Fire District has an active agreement to supply ambulance service to the Rancho Seco site.
(4) The Galt Medical Group was visited. A discussion with the Supervisor of Nurses indicated that the medical support to Rancho Seco would be ten.'inated on February 24, 1978. The medical group will close 1ts practice as of that date. A letter was sent to SMUD on January 31, 1978 by the Galt Medical Group informing them that the medical coverage would be terminated as of February 24, 1978.
See Paragraph No. 9 for additional information.
(5) Telephone contacts were made with the Environmental and i
Safety Division, USD0E, Oakland, CA; the State Office of Emergency Services, Sacramento, CA; and the Sacramento l
County Emergency Communications Center. All contacts indicated active agreements with Rancho Seco for emergency i
services.
All emergency phone numbers were verified to be correct.
No items of noncompliance or deviations were identified.
B.
Facilities
The facilities listed in the emergency plan were examined and found to be, complete with no significant changes.
No items of noncompliance or deviations were identified.
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C.
Equipment The emergency equipment as listeo in the emergency plan was reviewed. All equipment was in operational condition. Some
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new items have been obtained or are being installed. A new UHF radio band is being installed for direct communications with the Sacramento County Emergency Communications Center.
The emergency lockers are now equipped wi;h para-medical emergency kits. Some new equipment has been added for fire protection, such as, new hoses and valves.
j No items of noncompliance or deviations were identified.
D.
Procedure-An examination was made of all changes in procedures associated with the emergency plan as outlined in AP-500.
Several changes J
were made to the emergency plan as stipulated in Revision
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No. 7.
Some changes made were administrative in nature and others were an upgrading of the emergency plan procedures as a result of observations made during the drills and exercises.
A 50.59 safety analysis was conducted on July 21, 1977, and all changes to Revision No. 7 were reviewed and approved by the PRC.
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No items of noncompliance or deviations were identified.
E.
Emergency Kits and Lockers Several emergency kits and lockers were examined.
Some small items were missing; such as, scrub brushes, soap, masking tape, coveralls, and flashlights. Overall, the emergency lockers were well equipped and all instrumentation was operational.
A new emergency locker has been established for control room use. The locker contains more specialized items for air sampling in addition to those items listed in the emergency plan. The locker is located in the Xerox Room across the hall from the control room. The walkie-talkies were checked for communication to the control room.
No items of noncompliance or deviations were identified.
F.
Meteorological Monitoring System In accordance with Instrumentation and Control Procedures I-Ol6, Revision No. 3, the meteorological monitoring system is checked daily, and a monthly calibration is performed.
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-7-Records indicated that all tests and calibrations are being performed in a timely manner. All calibration data is re-corded on a monthly computer print-out.
No items of noncompliance or deviations were identified.
G.
Onsite First-Aid Facility
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The licensee maintains an onsite first-aid station. A nurse is on duty during refueling operations. An examination of the facility indicated a complete inventory of supplies and equip-ment as specified in the emergency plan.
No items of noncompliance or deviations were identified.
H.
Training First-aid training is given to :11 SMUD personnel at the site.
The last class was conducted in April 1977. Refresher first-aid classes are given on a three year cycle.
The last refresher course was conducted in May 1977. The first-aid training is conducted in-house by the Safety Technician who is a Red Cross certified first-aid instructor.
Classes in CPR training are also conducted on a periodic basis.
The Rancho Seco Emergency Teain has received training in fire
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fighting, radiation protection, and first-aid. Quarterly
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Emergency Team training drills are conducted during the plant emergency plan drills. An annual fire drill using real fire
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conditions is given as part of the training.
I Training related to the emergency plan procedures has been limited to the shift reactor operators and the Technical Support group. Refresher training in the emergency plan is conducted annually by the Safety Technician for all shift reactor operators.
A discussion with the newly appointed Training Supervisor indicated that training schedules are being formulated that will provide training in the emergency plan to larger groups such as, maintenance, administrative, and engineering organi-zations.
No items of noncompliance or deviations were identified.
I.
Audits The annual audit of the Emergency Plan was conducted by Nuclear Operations during a plan review and revision on I
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Ju;y 27, 1977.
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.The Emergency Plan audit conducted by Quality Assurance was performed,during the period of April 4-8, 1977.
The next
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audit is scheduled for March 1978.
Comnents on the audit indicated the need for more specific training in several areas of the plan.
No items of noncompliance or deviations were identified.
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Drills
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An examination of the records indicated that the licensee has conducted the quarterly drills in.a timely manner. The last drill which involved the hospital was conducted on July 27, 1977.
Critiques are being held after each drill.
Records of the critiques indicate the need for more training for personnel involved in the drills.
The licensee stated that approximately 80 percent of Revision No. 7 to AP500 was the result of comments from critiques or j
observations made during the drills.
No items of noncompliance or deviations were identified.
7.
Unresolved Items As referenced in the previous inspection report 50-312/77-17, the two unresolved items were discussed with the licensee. The licensee was informed that both unresolved items are under review and
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evaluation by the Division of Operating Reactors.
8.
Miscellaneous Followup As the result of a telephone conversation on January 20, 1978 with a former SMUD employee who expressed concern over a situation in which he was involved during his employment, an examination of the radiation exposure records pertinent to the individual's employment at the site was conducted during this inspection.
Examination of the records indicated no over* exposure to external radiation levels.
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i An evaluation of the whole body counts' indicated a maximum internal
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contamination level at 18 percent of a body burden.
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After a discussion'with members of the Chemistry and Radiation Protection staff, it was determined that the radiation exposures
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from all sources were within acceptable limitations, and the situation in which the individual was involved was not of significant consequence.
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The former employee will be notified of the results of the in-spection.
No items of noncompliance or deviations were identified.
9.
Exit Interview In addition to those individuals denoted in Paragraph 1, the following individuals were in attendance:
P. Oubre, Plant Super-intendent, and F. Eisenhuth,fluclear Engineer.
The inspector summarized the scope and findings of the inspection.
The licensee was informed that no items of noncompliance or deviations
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were identified.
A discussion was held regarding the apparent need for more training as related to the emergency plan procedures. A review of the critiques associated with the drills indicated that the infractions recorded were due to the lack of understanding and knowledge of the emergency plan procedures.
The licensee stated that a new training
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supervisor had been appointed and the training program would be
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increased in several areas including the emergency planning.
A brief discussion was held concerning the results of an examination
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of the records related to the employment of a former SMUD employee who had requested a clarification of his radiation exposure history (See Paragraph flo. 8). As a result of the examination of the records and discussions with several members of the plant staff, it was determined that the radiation exposures received by the individual were not significant from a health and safety viewpoint.
The licensee stated, as a result of the Galt Medical Group closing their medical practice (see Paragraph 6.A.(4)), that the need for on-the-site medical coverage would be evaluated.
If it was de-termined by plant management that medical coverage is required, then a new source of medical coverage would be obtained.
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