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Category:Inspection Report
MONTHYEARIR 05000390/20234412023-12-21021 December 2023 Plantfinal Significance Determination for a Security-Related Greater than Green Finding, Nov, and Assessment Follow-up, 05000390-2023441 and 05000391-2023441-Public IR 05000390/20234042023-12-14014 December 2023 Security Baseline Inspection Report 05000390/2023404 and 05000391/2023404 IR 05000390/20230102023-11-30030 November 2023 RE-Issue Watts Bar Nuclear Plant - Biennial Problem Identification and Resolution Inspection Report 050000390/2023010 and 05000391/2023010 and Apparent Violation IR 05000390/20230032023-11-13013 November 2023 Integrated Inspection Report 05000390/2023003 and 05000391/2023003 and Apparent Violation ML23296A0242023-10-24024 October 2023 Biennial Problem Identification and Resolution Inspection Report and Preliminary Greater than Green Finding and Apparent Violation IR 05000390/20230052023-08-30030 August 2023 Updated Inspection Plan for Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2 - Report 05000390/2023005 and 05000391/2023005 IR 05000390/20230022023-08-16016 August 2023 Reissue - Watts Bar Nuclear Plant - Integrated Inspection Report 05000390/2023002 and 05000391/2023002 ML23220A1582023-08-0909 August 2023 Integrated Inspection Report 05000390/2023002 and 05000391/2023002 IR 05000390/20230112023-07-24024 July 2023 Quadrennial Focused Engineering Inspection (FEI) Commercial Grade Dedication Report 05000390 2023011 and 05000391 2023011 IR 05000390/20234032023-05-30030 May 2023 Cyber Security Inspection Report 05000390/2023403 and 05000391/2023403 IR 05000390/20220032023-05-0909 May 2023 Reissue Watts Bar Nuclear Plant - Integrated Inspection Report 05000390/2022003 and 05000391/2022003 IR 05000390/20230012023-05-0404 May 2023 Integrated Inspection Report 05000390/2023001 and 05000391/2023001 IR 05000390/20234012023-03-13013 March 2023 Security Baseline Inspection Report 05000390 2023401 and 05000391 2023401 IR 05000390/20220062023-03-0101 March 2023 Annual Assessment Letter for Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2 - Report 05000390/2022006 and 05000391/2022006 IR 05000390/20220042023-02-10010 February 2023 Integrated Inspection Report 05000390/2022004 and 05000391/2022004 IR 05000390/20224202022-12-0101 December 2022 Security Baseline Inspection 05000390/2022420 and 05000391/2022420 Cover Letter ML22318A0072022-11-14014 November 2022 Integrated Inspection Report 05000390/2022003 and 05000391/2022003 IR 05000390/20220102022-10-28028 October 2022 Design Basis Assurance Inspection (Teams) Inspection Report 05000390/2022010 and 05000391/2022010 IR 05000390/20223012022-09-30030 September 2022 NRC Operator License Examination Report 05000390/2022301 and 050000391/2022301 ML22256A2952022-09-14014 September 2022 Operation of an Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation Report 07201048/2022001 IR 05000390/20220052022-08-31031 August 2022 Updated Inspection Plan for Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2 - Report 05000390/2022005 and 05000391/2022005 - Final IR 05000390/20220022022-08-12012 August 2022 Integrated Inspection Report 05000390/2022002 and 05000391/2022002 and Exercise of Enforcement Discretion IR 05000390/20224012022-08-0303 August 2022 Security Baseline Inspection Report 05000390/2022401 and 05000391/2022401 IR 05000390/20220012022-05-11011 May 2022 Integrated Inspection Report 05000390/2022001 and 05000391/2022001 ML22123A2412022-05-11011 May 2022 Review of the Fall 2021 Mid-Cycle Steam Generator Tube Inspection Report IR 05000390/20210062022-03-0202 March 2022 Annual Assessment Letter for Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2 (Report No. 05000390/2021006 and 05000391/2021006) IR 05000390/20210042022-02-10010 February 2022 Integrated Inspection Report 05000390/2021004 and 05000391/2021004 IR 05000390/20210032021-11-10010 November 2021 Integrated Inspection Report 05000390/2021003 and 05000391/2021003 IR 05000390/20214022021-11-0202 November 2021 Security Baseline Inspection Report 05000390/2021402 and 05000391/2021402 IR 05000390/20214032021-10-26026 October 2021 Material Control and Accounting Program Inspection Report 05000390/2021403 and 05000391/2021403 (OUO Removed) ML21263A0042021-09-24024 September 2021 Review of the Fall 2020 Steam Generator Tube Inspection Report IR 05000390/20214012021-08-31031 August 2021 Security Baseline Inspection Report 05000390/2021401 and 05000391/2021401 IR 05000390/20210052021-08-24024 August 2021 Updated Inspection Plan for Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Units 1 & 2 Report 05000390/2021005 and 05000391/2021005 IR 05000390/20210022021-08-0404 August 2021 Integrated Inspection Report 05000390/2021002 and 05000391/2021002 IR 05000390/20210122021-07-0101 July 2021 Biennial Problem Identification and Resolution Inspection Report 05000390/2021012 and 05000391/2021012 IR 05000390/20210102021-05-0606 May 2021 NRC Inspection Report 05000390/2021010 and 05000391/2021010 IR 05000390/20210012021-05-0505 May 2021 Integrated Inspection Report 05000390/2021001 and 05000391/2021001 IR 05000390/20210112021-04-13013 April 2021 Triennial Fire Protection Inspection Report 05000390/2021011 and 05000391/2021011 IR 05000390/20200062021-03-0303 March 2021 Annual Assessment Letter for Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2 - Report 05000390/2020006 and 05000391/2020006 IR 05000390/20200042021-02-11011 February 2021 Integrated Inspection Report 05000390/2020004, 05000391/2020004, 07201048/2020002, and Exercise of Enforcement Discretion IR 05000390/20203012021-01-19019 January 2021 Reissue - Watts Bar Nuclear Plant - NRC Operator License Examination Report 05000390/2020301 and 05000391/2020301 IR 05000390/20204032020-12-15015 December 2020 Security Baseline Inspection Report 05000390/2020403 and 05000391/2020403 IR 05000390/20204012020-11-30030 November 2020 Security Baseline Inspection Report 05000390/2020401 and 05000391/2020401 IR 05000390/20200032020-11-10010 November 2020 Integrated Inspection Report 05000390/2020003 and 05000391/2020003 IR 05000390/20200112020-10-20020 October 2020 Design Basis Assurance Inspection (Programs) Inspection Report 05000390/2020011 and 05000391/2020011 IR 05000390/20200052020-08-31031 August 2020 Assessment Followup Letter and Updated Inspection Plan for Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2 - Report 05000390/2020005 and 05000391/2020005 IR 05000390/20200022020-08-11011 August 2020 Nuclear Regulatory Commission Integrated Inspection Report 05000390/2020002, 05000391/2020002, and 07201048/2020001 IR 05000390/20200012020-05-0505 May 2020 Integrated Inspection Report 05000390/2020001 and 05000391/2020001 IR 05000390/20204102020-03-31031 March 2020 Security Baseline Inspection Report 05000390/2020410 and 05000391/2020410 IR 05000390/20190062020-03-0303 March 2020 Annual Assessment Letter for Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Units 1 and 2 - NRC Report 05000390/2019006 and 05000391/2019006 2023-08-09
[Table view] Category:Letter
MONTHYEARML23319A2452024-01-29029 January 2024 Issuance of Amendment Nos. 366 and 360; 164 and 71 Regarding the Adoption of TSTF-567, Revision 1, Add Containment Sump TS to Address GSI-191 Issues ML24008A2462024-01-18018 January 2024 Revision to the Reactor Vessel Material Surveillance Capsule Withdrawal Schedule CNL-24-017, Tennessee Valley Authority - Central Emergency Control Center Emergency Plan Implementing Procedure and Emergency Preparedness Department Procedure Revisions2024-01-17017 January 2024 Tennessee Valley Authority - Central Emergency Control Center Emergency Plan Implementing Procedure and Emergency Preparedness Department Procedure Revisions CNL-24-016, Supplement to Application to Modify the Technical Specification Surveillance Requirement 3.9.5.1 (WBN-TS-21-14)2024-01-10010 January 2024 Supplement to Application to Modify the Technical Specification Surveillance Requirement 3.9.5.1 (WBN-TS-21-14) CNL-23-052, Application to Adopt TSTF-427-A, Revision 2, Allowance for Non-Technical Specification Barrier Degradation on Supported System Operability2024-01-0909 January 2024 Application to Adopt TSTF-427-A, Revision 2, Allowance for Non-Technical Specification Barrier Degradation on Supported System Operability CNL-23-062, Application to Revise the Technical Specifications Section 3.8.2, AC Sources-Shutdown, to Remove Reference to the C-S Diesel Generator (WBN-TS-23-018)2024-01-0808 January 2024 Application to Revise the Technical Specifications Section 3.8.2, AC Sources-Shutdown, to Remove Reference to the C-S Diesel Generator (WBN-TS-23-018) ML23346A1382024-01-0303 January 2024 Regulatory Audit Summary Related to Request to Increase the Number of Tritium Producing Burnable Absorber Rods CNL-23-069, Request for Exemption from Enhanced Weapons, Firearms Background Checks, and Security Event Notifications Implementation2023-12-21021 December 2023 Request for Exemption from Enhanced Weapons, Firearms Background Checks, and Security Event Notifications Implementation IR 05000390/20234412023-12-21021 December 2023 Plantfinal Significance Determination for a Security-Related Greater than Green Finding, Nov, and Assessment Follow-up, 05000390-2023441 and 05000391-2023441-Public CNL-23-036, Application to Revise Function 5 of Technical Specification Table 3.3.2-1, Engineered Safety Feature Actuation System Instrumentation, for the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant and Watts Bar Nuclear Plant (SQN-TS-23-02 and WBN-TS-23-08)2023-12-18018 December 2023 Application to Revise Function 5 of Technical Specification Table 3.3.2-1, Engineered Safety Feature Actuation System Instrumentation, for the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant and Watts Bar Nuclear Plant (SQN-TS-23-02 and WBN-TS-23-08) IR 05000390/20234042023-12-14014 December 2023 Security Baseline Inspection Report 05000390/2023404 and 05000391/2023404 CNL-23-001, Rebaseline of Sections 3.1 and 3.2 of the Technical Specifications (WBN-TS-23-01)2023-12-13013 December 2023 Rebaseline of Sections 3.1 and 3.2 of the Technical Specifications (WBN-TS-23-01) ML23293A0572023-12-0606 December 2023 Issuance of Amendment Nos. 163 and 70 Regarding Adoption of TSTF-501-A, Revision 1, Relocate Stored Fuel Oil and Lube Oil Volume Values to Licensee Control IR 05000390/20230102023-11-30030 November 2023 RE-Issue Watts Bar Nuclear Plant - Biennial Problem Identification and Resolution Inspection Report 050000390/2023010 and 05000391/2023010 and Apparent Violation CNL-23-067, Central Emergency Control Center Emergency Plan Implementing Procedure Revisions2023-11-27027 November 2023 Central Emergency Control Center Emergency Plan Implementing Procedure Revisions IR 05000390/20230032023-11-13013 November 2023 Integrated Inspection Report 05000390/2023003 and 05000391/2023003 and Apparent Violation ML23312A1432023-11-0808 November 2023 Submittal of Dual Unit Updated Final Safety Analysis Report (UFSAR) Amendment 5 CNL-23-059, Supplement to Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2, and Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2, Application to Revise Technical Specifications to Adopt TSTF-567-A, Revision 1, Add Containment Sump TS to Address GSI-191 Issues (SQN-TS-23-2023-09-20020 September 2023 Supplement to Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2, and Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2, Application to Revise Technical Specifications to Adopt TSTF-567-A, Revision 1, Add Containment Sump TS to Address GSI-191 Issues (SQN-TS-23-03 CNL-23-061, Tennessee Valley Authority - Central Emergency Control Center Emergency Plan Implementing Procedure Revision2023-09-20020 September 2023 Tennessee Valley Authority - Central Emergency Control Center Emergency Plan Implementing Procedure Revision ML23251A2002023-09-11011 September 2023 Request for Withholding Information from Public Disclosure for Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2 CNL-23-057, Central Emergency Control Center Emergency Plan Implementing Procedure Revisions. Includes CECC-EPIP-1, Revision 76 and CECC-EPIP-9, Revision 642023-09-0505 September 2023 Central Emergency Control Center Emergency Plan Implementing Procedure Revisions. Includes CECC-EPIP-1, Revision 76 and CECC-EPIP-9, Revision 64 IR 05000390/20230052023-08-30030 August 2023 Updated Inspection Plan for Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2 - Report 05000390/2023005 and 05000391/2023005 ML23233A0042023-08-28028 August 2023 Proposed Alternative to the Requirements of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code for Upper Head Injection Dissimilar Metal Butt Welds IR 05000390/20230022023-08-16016 August 2023 Reissue - Watts Bar Nuclear Plant - Integrated Inspection Report 05000390/2023002 and 05000391/2023002 ML23220A1582023-08-0909 August 2023 Integrated Inspection Report 05000390/2023002 and 05000391/2023002 CNL-23-045, License Amendment Request to Revise Technical Specification Table 1.1-1 Regarding the Required Number of Fully Tensioned Reactor Pressure Vessel Head Closure Bolts (WBN-TS-23-010)2023-08-0707 August 2023 License Amendment Request to Revise Technical Specification Table 1.1-1 Regarding the Required Number of Fully Tensioned Reactor Pressure Vessel Head Closure Bolts (WBN-TS-23-010) CNL-23-028, Application to Revise Technical Specifications to Adopt TSTF-567-A, Revision 1, Add Containment Sump TS to Address GSI-191 Issues (SQN-TS-23-03 and WBN-TS-23-06)2023-08-0202 August 2023 Application to Revise Technical Specifications to Adopt TSTF-567-A, Revision 1, Add Containment Sump TS to Address GSI-191 Issues (SQN-TS-23-03 and WBN-TS-23-06) ML23192A4472023-07-31031 July 2023 Staff Assessment of Updated Seismic Hazards at TVA Sites Following the NRC Process for the Ongoing Assessment of Natural Hazards Information CNL-23-055, Tennessee Valley Authority - Emergency Preparedness Department Procedure Revision. Includes EPDP-3, Revision 3, Emergency Plan Exercises and Preparedness Drills2023-07-25025 July 2023 Tennessee Valley Authority - Emergency Preparedness Department Procedure Revision. Includes EPDP-3, Revision 3, Emergency Plan Exercises and Preparedness Drills IR 05000390/20230112023-07-24024 July 2023 Quadrennial Focused Engineering Inspection (FEI) Commercial Grade Dedication Report 05000390 2023011 and 05000391 2023011 CNL-23-053, Tennessee Valley Authority - Radiological Emergency Plan Revisions2023-07-18018 July 2023 Tennessee Valley Authority - Radiological Emergency Plan Revisions CNL-23-020, Application to Revise Technical Specifications to Adopt TSTF-501-A, Revision 1, Relocate Stored Fuel Oil and Lube Oil Volume Values to Licensee Control (WBN-TS-22-06)2023-06-28028 June 2023 Application to Revise Technical Specifications to Adopt TSTF-501-A, Revision 1, Relocate Stored Fuel Oil and Lube Oil Volume Values to Licensee Control (WBN-TS-22-06) CNL-23-049, Tennessee Valley Authority - Radiological Emergency Plan and Central Emergency Control Center Emergency Plan .2023-06-26026 June 2023 Tennessee Valley Authority - Radiological Emergency Plan and Central Emergency Control Center Emergency Plan . ML23122A2322023-06-0707 June 2023 Issuance of Amendment Nos. 162 and 69 Regarding Change to Date in Footnotes for Technical Specification 3.7.11, Control Room Emergency Air Temperature Control System (Creatcs) CNL-23-044, Transmittal of Revision 3 to WCAP-18774-P and WCAP-18774-NP, Addendum to the Rotterdam Dockyard Company Final Stress Report for 173 P.W.R. Vessels TVA III & IV (Report No. 30749-B-030, Rev. 3) - Evaluation of One Closure Stud Out2023-06-0101 June 2023 Transmittal of Revision 3 to WCAP-18774-P and WCAP-18774-NP, Addendum to the Rotterdam Dockyard Company Final Stress Report for 173 P.W.R. Vessels TVA III & IV (Report No. 30749-B-030, Rev. 3) - Evaluation of One Closure Stud Out IR 05000390/20234032023-05-30030 May 2023 Cyber Security Inspection Report 05000390/2023403 and 05000391/2023403 ML23131A1812023-05-23023 May 2023 Correction to Amendment No. 161 to Facility Operating License No. NPF-90 CNL-23-042, Radiological Emergency Plan and Central Emergency Control Center Emergency Plan Implementing Procedure Revisions2023-05-16016 May 2023 Radiological Emergency Plan and Central Emergency Control Center Emergency Plan Implementing Procedure Revisions IR 05000390/20220032023-05-0909 May 2023 Reissue Watts Bar Nuclear Plant - Integrated Inspection Report 05000390/2022003 and 05000391/2022003 ML23125A2202023-05-0505 May 2023 Issuance of Amendment No. 161 Regarding a Change to Footnotes for Technical Specification Table 1.1-1 Modes (Emergency Circumstances) IR 05000390/20230012023-05-0404 May 2023 Integrated Inspection Report 05000390/2023001 and 05000391/2023001 CNL-23-043, Emergency License Amendment Request to Relax the Required Number of Fully Tensioned Reactor Pressure Vessel Head Closure Studs in Technical Specification Table 1.1-1, Modes (WBN-TS-23-09)2023-05-0404 May 2023 Emergency License Amendment Request to Relax the Required Number of Fully Tensioned Reactor Pressure Vessel Head Closure Studs in Technical Specification Table 1.1-1, Modes (WBN-TS-23-09) CNL-23-032, Clinch River, Sequoyah, Units 1 and 2, Watts Bar, Unit 1 and 2, Nuclear Quality Assurance Plan, TVA-NQA-PLN89-A, Revision 412023-04-27027 April 2023 Clinch River, Sequoyah, Units 1 and 2, Watts Bar, Unit 1 and 2, Nuclear Quality Assurance Plan, TVA-NQA-PLN89-A, Revision 41 CNL-23-030, Tennessee Valley Authority - Hydrologic Engineering Center River Analysis System Project Milestone Status Update2023-04-27027 April 2023 Tennessee Valley Authority - Hydrologic Engineering Center River Analysis System Project Milestone Status Update CNL-23-033, Radiological Emergency Plan and Central Emergency Control Center Emergency Plan Implementing Procedure Revision2023-04-24024 April 2023 Radiological Emergency Plan and Central Emergency Control Center Emergency Plan Implementing Procedure Revision CNL-23-029, Radiological Emergency Plan and Central Emergency Control Center Emergency Plan Implementing Procedure Revisions2023-04-11011 April 2023 Radiological Emergency Plan and Central Emergency Control Center Emergency Plan Implementing Procedure Revisions ML23072A0652023-04-0505 April 2023 Units 1 and 2 Issuance of Amendment Nos. 364 and 358; 160 and 68 Regarding a Revision to Technical Specification 3.4.12 ML23073A2762023-04-0303 April 2023 Individual Notice of Consideration of Issuance of Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses, Proposed No Significant Hazards Consideration Determination, and Opportunity for a Hearing (EPID L-2023-LLA-0029) (Letter) CNL-23-023, Annual Insurance Status Report2023-03-30030 March 2023 Annual Insurance Status Report CNL-23-024, TVA Guarantee of Payment of Deferred Premiums - 2022 Annual Report2023-03-29029 March 2023 TVA Guarantee of Payment of Deferred Premiums - 2022 Annual Report 2024-01-09
[Table view] |
Text
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ber 23, 2019
SUBJECT:
WATTS BAR NUCLEAR PLANT - FOLLOW UP FOR NRC CONFIRMATORY ORDER EA-17-022 AND CHILLED WORK ENVIRONMENT LETTER EA-16-061; NRC INSPECTION REPORT 05000390/2019012 AND 05000391/2019012
Dear Mr. Barstow:
On October 24, 2019, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed a follow-up inspection of NRC Confirmatory Order (CO) EA-17-022 (Agency-wide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession Number ML17208A647) and Chilling Effect Letter (CEL) EA-16-061 (ADAMS Accession No. ML16083A479) at Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Units 1 and 2. On October 24, 2019, the NRC inspectors discussed the results of this inspection with Mr. Thomas Marshall, Plant Manager and other members of your staff. The results of this inspection are documented in the enclosed report.
The NRC inspectors did not identify any finding or violation of more than minor significance.
The NRC inspection team determined that Watts Bar continued to make progress with improving their safety conscious work environment. The results from this inspection will be an input into decision-making regarding closure of the Watts Bar CCI and CEL. The NRC will continue to monitor your activities to maintain a safety conscious work environment at Watts Bar through the Reactor Oversight Process.
This letter, its enclosure, and your response (if any) will be made available for public inspection and copying at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html and at the NRC Public Document Room in accordance with 10 CFR 2.390, Public Inspections, Exemptions, Requests for Withholding.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Omar R. López-Santiago, Chief Reactor Projects Branch 5 Division of Reactor Projects Docket Nos. 05000390 and 05000391 License Nos. NPF-90 and NPF-96
Enclosure:
As stated
Inspection Report
Docket Numbers: 05000390 and 05000391 License Numbers: NPF-90 and NPF-96 Report Numbers: 05000390/2019012 and 05000391/2019012 Enterprise Identifier: I-2019-012-0038 Licensee: Tennessee Valley Authority Facility: Watts Bar Location: Spring City, TN Inspection Dates: October 21, 2019 to October 24, 2019 Inspectors: D. Edwards, Fuel Facilities Inspector S. Mendez-Gonzalez, Allegations Coordinator S. Morrow Human Factors Engineer R. Taylor, Senior Project Engineer Approved By: Omar R. López-Santiago, Chief Reactor Projects Branch 5 Division of Reactor Projects Enclosure
SUMMARY
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) continued monitoring the licensees performance by conducting a confirmatory order and safety conscious work environment follow up inspection at Watts Bar in accordance with the Reactor Oversight Process. The Reactor Oversight Process is the NRCs program for overseeing the safe operation of commercial nuclear power reactors. Refer to https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/oversight.html for more information.
List of Findings and Violations No findings or violations of more than minor significance were identified.
Additional Tracking Items None.
INSPECTION SCOPES
Inspections were conducted using the appropriate portions of the inspection procedures (IPs) in effect at the beginning of the inspection unless otherwise noted. Currently approved IPs with their attached revision histories are located on the public website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/insp-manual/inspection-procedure/index.html. Samples were declared complete when the IP requirements most appropriate to the inspection activity were met consistent with Inspection Manual Chapter (IMC) 2515, Light-Water Reactor Inspection Program - Operations Phase. The inspectors reviewed selected procedures and records, observed activities, and interviewed personnel to assess licensee performance and compliance with Commission rules and regulations, license conditions, site procedures, and standards.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
- TEMPORARY INSTRUCTIONS, INFREQUENT AND ABNORMAL
92702 CONF - Enforcement Related Order Follow-Up-Only Enforcement Related Order Follow-Up-Only
- (1) The inspectors reviewed commitments associated with two items from Confirmatory Order EA-17-022, issued to TVA on July 27, 2017.
- (1) Commitment V.1.d.1: This commitment required an independent third-party to perform quarterly audits for the first year after the date of issuance of the CO, and semi-annually for the next two years, of the adverse employment action process. The inspectors reviewed the Sixth Independent Auditors Report of the TVA Adverse Employment Action Process for Quarter Ending 6/30/2019, dated 6/27/2019. The inspectors verified that the audits included a review of all adverse employment actions, periodic attendance at Executive Review Boards and a review of chilling effect mitigation plans (inclusive of recommendations as appropriate).
- (2) Commitment V.1.e.1: This commitment required TVA to conduct an independent nuclear safety culture assessment at Watts Bar in 2019, evaluate the results and develop, implement, and track to completion corrective actions to address weaknesses identified through the assessment. The inspectors reviewed corrective actions and enhancements associated with the 2019 nuclear safety culture assessment at Watts Bar to verify that corrective actions were developed and appropriate to address the weaknesses identified through the assessment.
93100 - Safety-Conscious Work Environment Issue of Concern Followup Safety-Conscious Work Environment Issue of Concern Followup
- (1) Qualified safety culture assessors performed a limited assessment of the safety conscious work environment (SCWE) at Watts Bar in accordance with IP 93100, Safety Conscious Work Environment Issue of Concern Follow-up, and other IPs as referenced by IP 93100. The objectives of the assessment were to:
- (1) determine whether actions taken by TVA have improved the work environment in the Radiation Protection and Operations departments;
- (2) determine if employees are currently reluctant to raise safety or regulatory issues; and
- (3) determine if employees are currently being discouraged from raising safety or regulatory issues.
The assessors conducted semi-structured focus groups and interviews with 66 Watts Bar employees, contractors, and management. Individuals were randomly selected for the focus groups and interviews by the assessors. The following departments were sampled: Radiation Protection (RP), Chemistry, Operations, and Maintenance. Inspectors also sampled contractors from the Day and Zimmerman organization.
The assessors also reviewed case files and assessments of the Employee Concerns Program (ECP), minutes from the Nuclear Safety Culture Monitoring Panel and Site Leadership Team meetings, and condition reports and corrective actions associated with safety culture and SCWE.
INSPECTION RESULTS
Assessment 93100 The Watts Bar Nuclear Annual Assessment Follow Up Letter dated August 31, 2018 established the closure criteria for the Chilling Effect Letter (CEL) and SCWE Cross-Cutting Issue (CCI) as:
- Demonstration of improvement in SCWE, with particular emphasis on improvement in the Radiation Protection department and sustained improvement in the Operation department.
- Demonstration of identifying the causes of the weaknesses in the stations ability to 1) detect declining trends in safety culture and SCWE, particularly at the department level, and 2) take action to mitigate chilled work environments.
- Development of corrective actions to address identified weaknesses from item 2, documentation of progress in implementing actions, and demonstration of effectiveness of actions.
Based on the results of interviews, safety culture surveys, and assessments, the team determined that there is evidence of improvement in the safety conscious work environment in the RP department and sustained improvement in the Operations department. The team determined that Watts Bar has implemented a range of corrective actions to improve the sites ability to detect declining trends in safety culture and SCWE. For example, Watts Bar developed the Employee Issue Tracking Matrix to detect general work environment issues at a low threshold and implemented changes to the Nuclear Safety Culture Monitoring Panel process to improve tracking of safety culture and SCWE at the department level.
In addition, a review of recent allegations at Watts Bar did not identify any significant trend in allegations involving chilling effect and discrimination concerns.
Based on the teams interviews and focus groups, all individuals expressed that they are willing to raise nuclear safety concerns, but there was a small percentage of individuals who would feel hesitant to raise concerns due to fear of retaliation. The percentage of individuals was well under the threshold for a chilled work environment, and most individuals indicated that their hesitance was primarily based on past behaviors at the site during the time that the chilling effect letter was issued, not necessarily current behaviors. In particular, the team observed that that Operations department continued to experience challenges with trust in leadership, likely stemming from the events that led to the previous chilled work environment in 2015 and 2016. The ongoing work environment challenges in Operations had been identified by Watts Bar via their safety culture monitoring tools and was being tracked within the corrective action program (CR 1551550).
The inspection team determined that Watts Bar continued to make progress with improving their safety conscious work environment. The results from this inspection will be an input into decision-making regarding closure of the Watts Bar CCI and CEL.
EXIT MEETINGS AND DEBRIEFS
The inspectors verified no proprietary information was retained or documented in this report.
- On October 24, 2019, the inspectors presented the confirmatory order and safety conscious work environment follow up inspection results to Mr. Thomas Marshall, Plant Manager and other members of the licensee staff.
DOCUMENTS REVIEWED
Inspection Type Designation Description or Title Revision or
Procedure Date
2702 Miscellaneous September 2019, Watts Bar
CONF Nuclear Nuclear Safety Culture
Evaluation performed by Oak
Ridge
September 2017, Watts Bar
Nuclear Nuclear Safety Culture
Evaluation performed by Oak
Ridge
2702 Procedures NPG-SPP- Nuclear Safety Culture Rev. 5
CONF 01.7
2702 Procedures NPG-SPP- Nuclear Safety Oversight Rev. 14
CONF 03.2
93100 Corrective CR 1452420,
Action CR 1475636,
Documents CR 1534006,
CR 1534009,
CR 1544630,
CR 1551540,
CR 1551546,
CR 1551547,
CR 1551549,
CR 1551550,
CR 1552692,
CR 1550170,
93100 Miscellaneous Watts Bar Nuclear Safety
Culture Evaluation, September
2019
93100 Miscellaneous Conduct of Operations Rev. 7,
Employee Concerns 02/13/2019
93100 Miscellaneous Conduct of Operations Rev. 0,
Employee Concerns 07/12/2019
93100 Miscellaneous Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Chilled Rev. 2,
Work Environment in Radiation 04/24/2019
Protection, Level 1 Root Cause
Analysis Report
93100 Miscellaneous Nuclear Safety Culture 02/28/2019
Monitoring Panel Meeting to
Minutes 08/14/2019
93100 Miscellaneous Employee Issue Tracking 10/03/2019
Matrix Guideline
93100 Procedures NPG-SPP- Employee Concerns Program Rev. 3,
01.7.1 10/20/2017
93100 Procedures NPG-SPP- Nuclear Safety Culture Rev. 13,
01.7.2 Monitoring 04/24/2019
6