IR 05000416/1997016

Insp Rept 50-416/97-16 on 970929-1003.No Violations Noted. Major Areas Inspected:Review of Licensed Operator Requalification Program Following Guidelines in IP 71001

ML20217K818
Person / Time
Site:	Grand Gulf
Issue date:	10/23/1997
From:	NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV)
To:
Shared Package
ML20217K809	List: IR 05000416/1997016 ML20217K806
References
50-416-97-16, NUDOCS 9710290235
Download: ML20217K818 (10)

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ENCLOSURE

. U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

REGION IV

Docl et No.: 50-416-License No.:- NPF 29 Report No.: 50-416/97 16 Licensee: Entergy Operations, In Facility:- Grand Gulf Nuclear Station -

Location: - Waterloo Road -

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Port Gibson, Mississippi Dates: September 29 through October 3,1997 Inspector: : - M. E. Murphy, Reactor Engineer, Operations Branch

' Accompanying M. Mitchell, Consultant Pacific Northwest Laboratory Personnel:

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Approved By: J. L. Pellet, Chief, Operations Branch Division of Reactor Safety ATTACHMENT: - - Supplemental Information s-e I%

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9710290235 971023 PDR ADOCK 05000416 G PDR

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-2-EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Grand Gulf Nuclear Station NRC Inspection Report 50-416/97-16 This inspection included a review of the licensed operator requalification program following the guidelines in inspection Procedure 71001, " Licensed Operator Requalificaiion Program Evaluation." The inspection covered the period of Septer.1ber 29 through October 3,199 Ooerations

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Failure oi one of the three crews and five individuals in the first two weeks of the requalification cycle indicated potential weaknesses in training for and implementation of teamwork and communications (Section 04.1).

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The crew self-critique practice and management involvement were strengths in the examination process. Crew and individual weaknesses identified by licensee staff were consistent with those identified by the inspectors (Section 05.2).

. The requalification program was adequate. Examinations were well cc,structed and discriminated at the appropriate knowledge level; the licensee was effective in developing and using training program feedback from employees and other sources; the remedial training program was well administered; and, the licensee was effectively maintaining operator licenses and documentation in accordance with 10 CFR 55.5 r

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-3-ReDort Details 1. Operations 04 Operator Knowledge and Performance 04.1 Qoerator Performance on Annual Reaualification Examinations a, insoection Scoce (71001)

The inspectors observed the performance of one shift crew during its annua!

requalification evaluations. This was the second week of the 1997 Cycle 6 oporator recualification examinations. The annual operating examination included simulator dynamic performance evaluations and five job performance measures for each licensed operator. The inspectors observed administration of both the static and the classroom open reference portions of the biennial written examinatio Observations and Findinas On September 30 through October 2,1997, the inspectors observed the job performance measures, biennial written examinations, and simulator dynamic scenarios for one shift crew. The crew was compcsed of six active licensed operators. The individual operators passed the job performance measures and the biennial written examinations. The crew and three individuals failed the simulator dynamic scenario. The licensee evaluators assessed the overall cause for the f ailures as a combination of lack of teamwork and poor communication The inspectors observed some problems in communication practices and teamwork being used by the operators during the examination, particularly in the area of three-

way communications. In the first scenario observed, the crew diagnosed event conditions well, and mitigated the simulated events, in the second scenario the crew did not sa isfy all critical tasks. As a result, the crew failed the simulator portion of the test. Additionally, one reactor operator and two seninr operators failed individually on competencies. The licensee was in the process of implementing remedial training and re-examination of the f ailures at the end of this inspectio The inspectors reviewed the results from the previous week's examinations and determined that two individuals f ailured the simulator dynamic scenarios. The licensee evaluators had determined that the basic cause for failure was also lack of teamwork and poor communications. The two individuals were in remedial training during this inspection.

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-4- _ Conclusions Failure of one of the three crews and five individuals in the first 2 weeks of the

requalification cycle indicated potential weaknesses in training for and implementation of teamwork and communications. The inspectors requested that licensee staff provide a copy of the remediation plan for the individuals and crew

~ observed during the inspection and a surnmary of the overall results at the conclusion of the annual examination _ Operator Training and Quolification 05 '1 Review of Recualification Examinatioris Insoection Scoce (7100jj The inspectors reviewed the annual requalification examinations, including operating tests for_the 1996 cycle and the biennial written, simulator and job performance measures requalification examinations. The examination sampling plan was also reviewed,' and training personnelinterviewed to' ascertain the methods used in developing the examination. The review evaluated the general quality, construction,

- and difficulty level of the material, b , -. Qbservations and Findings The operating examinations consisted of job performance measures and dynamic

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simulator scenarios. Development of the scenarios and job performance measures followed the guidelines as established by 01 S-04-02, " Licensed Operator Requalification Training," and the guicelines of NUREG 1021, " Operator Licensing Examiner Standards," Revision 7, Supplement .

Nine simulator scenarios being administered during'this requalification cycle were

- reviewed. The scenarios were written with clearly identifiable objectivos, critical tasks, expected operator actions, and coropetency standards for evalunticn. Review of the scenario bank indicated _that the scenarios varied in the types of events evaluated and minimized the repeat of events from scenario to scenari The inspectors reviewed 50 job performance measures being administered during this requalification cycle and 10 job performance measures from the previous

- requalification cycle. The job performance measures met license program requit ements similar to the guidance of NUREG 1021 and contained performance standards that were clear, objective, and relevant. The job performance measures-were adequate in scope and depth and appropriately covered a range of topics required by the requalification training program and regulations. There were, however, several job performance measures that had steps that either should have been identified as a critical step or contained steps listed as critical that should not have been. The iicensee acknowledged these job performance measure deficiencies

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5-and agreed to make appropriate revisions to the job performance measures in question, The licensee had established and maintained an excellent data tracking system to track the use of job performance measures during the requalification cycles.

A review of the training sample plan determined that the licensee adequately covered the topics identified in 10 CFR 55.41 and 10 CFR 55.43. The sample plan was well laid out and used extensively as indicated by comparing the plans used during the first 4 weeks of this requalification cycle (1997) and during 199 Conclusions The requalification examinations were well constructed and discriminated at the appropriate knowledge leve .2 Reaualification Examination AdministratiDD i Insoection Scone (71001)

The inspectors observed the administration of two simulator scenarios and the job performance measures for one operating crew to determine the evaluators' abilities to administer an examination and assess adequate performance through measurable criteria. Five requalification training evaluators and two operations management evaluators, the operations manager and the operations superintendent, were

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observed participating in one or more aspects of administering the examination Examination administration included pre-examination briefings, observations of operator performance, individual and group evaluations, techniques for job performance measure cuing, and final evaluation documentation. The inspectors also observed the fidelity and performance of the plant simulato Observations and Findinas One evaluator group (four individuals in each group), for the shift crew was observed while evaluating the scenarios. The licensee evaluators conducted the examinations professionally and thoroughly documented their observations for subsequent evaluatio The scenarios observed met the criteria for evaluation purposes. For both scenarios observed, the success path was emergency depressurization due to containment challenge, which was not prevented by the licensee's development process. Thus, the scenarios lacked variety that would have improved the comprehensiveness of the examinatio During the requalification examination scenarios observed, the operations management involvement enhanced the training department evaluators'

assessments. The evaluators were effective in identifying strengths and l

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6-weaknesses of the craws and individuals. A formal evaluation method was used that reviewed crew and individual critical tasks following the scenario observations and then competencies for the crew and individuals. The post-scenario evaluations were well organized and conducted. The inspectors noted that operations management observed crew performance during the scenario: and participated in the evaluation critiques of the crews. The licensee's practice of having the crew perform a self critique immediately following the scenarios was considered a strength in the examination process. The results of the observed crew's critique was comparable to the evaluator's results and served to reinforce awareness of strengths and weaknesses in performanc The licensee evaluators and the requalification examinees were observed during the conduct of system-oriented job performance measures, The job performance measures consisted of nonficensed operator tasks outside the control room, licensed operator tasks in the control room, and the performance of some tasks in the simulator in the dynamic mode. The licensee evaluat:,is generally performed well during the examination The irtspectors observed that the performance of the simulator in supporting the examination process was good and that there were no observed deficiencies, Conclusions Licensee evaluators were consistent and objective in their evaluations. Critiques by the evaluators and the crew self-critique effectively identified strengths and weaknesses. The crew self-critique practice and operations management involvement were strengths in the examination process. Crew and individual observed weaknesses were consistent with those identified by the inspector .3 Review of Feedback Proaram Insoection Scone (71001)

The inspectors reviewed the licensee's process for obtaining and incorporating employee as well as other sources of feedback in the training program. This review included plant operating history for the last 2 years, various feedback documentation and attending a training review committee meeting, Observations and Findinas A review of the feedback program indicated that various avenues were available to the employees to provide input related to written materials, simulator scenarios, job performance measures, procedures, and job tasks. Plant operating events, as well as, industry events were reviewed for possible feedback mate. rial by the licensee. A review of actual feedback documentation indicated that feedback comments were taken seriously. Training changes such as increasing class time, adding a subject

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area, changing a procedure, or improving instructor performance had been made as a result of feedback. Interviews with selected licensed operators and the conduct of the training review group meeting indicated that the feedback program was thorough and ef fective in addressing concerns. The training review group meeting was attended by senior management representatives from both the training and operations department, and by two shif t ' operators. The operations manager made a .u point of asking the shift operators whether their needs were being met by the

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training program, and was obviously interested in ensuring that the requalification training program was effective and thorough. A review, by the inspectors, of the plant operating history for the last 2 years did not identify any operator caused events that required a change in the training progra ConcluMqas-The licensee was effective in developing and using feedback from employees and other sources and that the feedback program was well administere .4 Review of Remedial Trainino Procram insoection Scoce (71001)

The inspectors reviewed the remedial training program to evaluate compliance with and effectiveness of the licensee program guidance contained in Sectic,n 6.6 of Procedure 01-S-04-2, " Licensed Operator P.squalification Training." This review included remedial training documentation from the first 2 weeks of the 1997 requalification cycle, Observations and Findinos The documentation from the partial 1997 training cycle of requalification failures with training and operations staff analysis of the individual or crew vueaknesses was found to be sufficiently detailed and directed an appropriate meant of remediatio When appropriate, individual operators were removed from licensed operator duties until successful completion of remediation training and a subsequent evaluatio Interviews with selected licensed operators indicated that the remediation process was thorough and comprehensive in addressing weaknesses in operator and crew performance, Conclusions The remedial training program was well administere \.

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l 05.5 - Review of Conformance With Ooerator License Conditions -

' Insoection Scone (71001)

-The inspectors evaluated the adequacy of the requalification program's compliance

with 10 CFR 55.53, " Conditions of License." The inspectors interviewed operators, i

training management, and examined the licensee's records to determine ccmpliance with conditions to maintain an active operator license, reactivation of licenses,'and medical fitness.

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Operator license conditions were accurately identified and tracked by the licensee, i

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Operators with permanent medical conditions had their licenses properly conditioned. !t was also verified that operators with reactivated licenses had

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received the prerequisite training prior to resuming shift duties, it was also noted

- - that personnel in a condition of license suspension due to prolonged absence had documentation to that effect in their files and that this documentation prescribed the required steps to reactivate their licenses.

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L The licensee was effectively maintaining operator licenses and documentation in accordance with 10 CFR 55.53.

- 1,_ Plant Sunnort F8 Miscellaneous Fire Protection issues F General Comments-The inspectors observed good general housekeeping and plant material condition in 4 ' the unit incident to observing administration of the inplant job performance section of the operating test and a plant tour.- The emergency diesel generators were notably clean and free ci oil leaks. Other areas of the facility were clean, well lighted, and the floors were clear and free of debri V; Manaaement Meetinas l

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The inspectors presented the inspection results to members of the licensee

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-management at the conclusion of the inspection on October 3,1997. The

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. . inspectors also requested, based on these results, that the license provide a copy of

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the remediation plans developed for the individuals and crew observed during the inspection and a summary of the r verall results at the end of the annual examinations The licensee represen.atives acknowledged the findings presented and agreed to provide the informat ion requeste _

The licensee did not identify as proprietary any information or materials examined during the inspectio .

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o ATTACHMENT SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED Licensee D. Bost, Director, Design Engineering B. Bryant, Operations Training Supervisor W. Chausse, Technical Assistant, Training E. Cresap, Training Supervisor L. Dale, Director, Plant Projects & Support B. Eatot General Manager, Plant Operations

. J. Hagan, Vice President Operations C. Holifield, Licensing Engineer D. Janacek, Director, Training s C. Staf ford, Superintendent, Operations T. Tankersley, Senior Oversight Specialist, Corporate Assessments J. Venable, Manager, Operations South Mississicol Electric Power Association a

J. Czaika, Nuclear Spnialist NBC K. Weaver, Resident inspector INSPECTION PROCEDURES USED IP 71001: Licensed Operator Requalification Program Evaluation t

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