IR 05000390/2009302

Operator License Examinations Report 05000390-09-302 on 11/30/09 - 12/02/09 for Watts Bar

ML100211127
Person / Time
Site:	Watts Bar
Issue date:	01/20/2010
From:	Widmann M Division of Reactor Safety II
To:	Krich R Tennessee Valley Authority
References
50-390/09-302
Download: ML100211127 (8)

Text

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ary 20, 2010

SUBJECT:

WATTS BAR NUCLEAR PLANT - NRC OPERATOR LICENSE EXAMINATION REPORT 05000390/2009302

Dear Mr. Krich:

During the period of November 30 to December 2, 2009 the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) administered operating tests to employees of your company who had applied for licenses to operate the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant. At the conclusion of the tests, the examiners discussed preliminary findings related to the operating tests with those members of your staff identified in the enclosed report. The written examination was administered by your staff on December 17, 2009.

One Reactor Operator (RO) and four Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) applicants passed both the operating test and written examination. One RO retake applicant failed the written examination. There were no post-examination comments.

In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRCs Rules of Practice, a copy of this letter and its enclosures will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of the NRCs document system (ADAMS). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm.adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room).

If you have any questions concerning this letter, please contact me at (404) 562-4550.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Malcolm T. Widmann, Chief Operations Branch Division of Reactor Safety Docket No: 50-390 License No: NPF-90

Enclosures:

1. Report Details

REGION II==

Docket No.: 50-390 License No.: NPF-90 Report No.: 05000390/2009302 Licensee: Tennessee Valley Authority Facility: Watts Bar Location: Spring City, Tennessee Dates: Operating Test - November 30 - December 2, 2009 Written Examination - December 17, 2009 Examiners: E. Lea, Chief Examiner, Senior Operations Engineer P. Capehart, Operations Engineer K. Schaaf, Operations Engineer Approved by: Malcolm T. Widmann, Chief Operations Branch Division of Reactor Safety Enclosure

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS ER 05000390/2009302; operating test, November 30 - December 2, 2009, & written exam, December 17, 2009; Watts Bar; Operator License Examinations.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) examiners conducted an initial examination in accordance with the guidelines in Revision 9, Supplement 1, of NUREG-1021, "Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors." This examination implemented the operator licensing requirements identified in 10 CFR §55.41, §55.43, and §55.45, as applicable.

Members of the Watts Bar staff developed both the operating tests and the written examination.

The NRC developed the written examination outlines.

The NRC administered the operating tests during the period November 30 - December 2, 2009.

Members of the Watts Bar training staff administered the written examination on December 17, 2009. One Reactor Operator (RO) and four Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) applicants passed both the operating test and written examination. One RO retake applicant failed the written examination. Five applicants were issued licenses commensurate with the level of examination administered.

There were no post-examination comments.

No findings of significance were identified.

Enclosure

REPORT DETAILS 4. OTHER ACTIVITIES 4OA5 Operator Licensing Examinations a. Inspection Scope Members of the Watts Bar Nuclear Power Plant staff developed both the operating tests and the written examination. All examination material was developed in accordance with the guidelines contained in Revision 9, Supplement 1, of NUREG-1021, "Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors." The NRC examination team reviewed the proposed examination. Examination changes agreed upon between the NRC and the licensee were made per NUREG-1021 and incorporated into the final version of the examination materials.

The NRC reviewed the licensees examination security measures while preparing and administering the examinations in order to ensure compliance with 10 CFR §55.49, Integrity of examinations and tests.

The NRC examiners evaluated two Reactor Operator (RO) and four Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) applicants using the guidelines contained in NUREG-1021. The examiners administered the operating tests during the period November 30, 2009, and December 2, 2009. Members of the Watts Bar Nuclear Power Plant training staff administered the written examination on December 17, 2009. Evaluations of applicants and reviews of associated documentation were performed to determine if the applicants, who applied for licenses to operate the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, met the requirements specified in 10 CFR Part 55, Operators Licenses.

b. Findings No findings of significance were identified. The NRC determined, using NUREG-1021, that the licensees initial examination submittal was within the range of acceptability expected for a proposed examination.

One RO applicant and four SRO applicants passed both the operating test and written examination and were issued licenses. One RO retake applicant failed the written examination.

Copies of all individual examination reports were sent to the facility Training Manager for evaluation of weaknesses and determination of appropriate remedial training.

The licensee did not submit any post-examination comments. A copy of the final written examinations and answer keys, with all changes incorporated may be accessed in the ADAMS system (ADAMS Accession Numbers ML100070292 and ML100070306).

Enclosure

4OA6 Meetings, Including Exit Exit Meeting Summary On December 2, 2009, the NRC examination team discussed generic issues associated with the operating test with Mr. Greg Boerschig, Plant Manager, and members of the Watts Bar staff. The examiners asked the licensee if any of the examination material was proprietary. No proprietary information was identified.

KEY POINTS OF CONTACT Licensee personnel G. Boerschig, Plant Manager M. Brandon, Licensing Manager R. Crews, Operations Training Manage N. Good, Training Simulator Manager D. Hensley, Exam Lead M. McFadden, Operations Manager R. Mende, Director, Safety and Licensing R. Milner, Corporate Training Director S. Smith, Operations W. Thompson Enclosure