IR 05000461/1997023
| ML20197J066 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Clinton  |
| Issue date: | 12/23/1997 |
| From: | NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20197J064 | List: |
| References | |
| 50-461-97-23, NUDOCS 9801020071 | |
| Download: ML20197J066 (9) | |
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i U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION -
REGION lil Docket No:
50-461 License No:
NPF-6 -
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Report No:
50-461/97023(DRS)
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- Licensee:
Illinois Power Company Facility:
Clinton Nuclear Power Station Location:
Route 54 West Clinton,IL 61727 Dates:
November 3 - 7,1997 inspectors:
G; Larizza, Reactor Engineer E. Plettner, Reactor Engineer Approved by:
M. Leach, Chief, Operator Licensing Branch Division of Reactor Safety
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9901020071 971223
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PDR ADOCK 05000461
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Clinton Power Station, Unit i NRC Inspection Report 50-461/97023
. This inspection report contains the findings and conclusions from the inspection of the licensed reactor operator (RO) and senior reactor operator (SRO) requalification training programs. The inspection included a review of training administrative procedures and operating examination material; observation and evaluation of operator performance and licensee evaluators during a requalification operating examination; an assessment of simulator fidelity; an evaluation of program controls to assure a systems approach to training; and a review of requalification
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training records.
The inspectors used the guidance in inspection procedure (IP) 71001.
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Ooerations-All portions of the annual requalification examination were judged to be effective tools for determining operator weaknesses (Section 05.2).
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Licensed operator requalification programs were implemented in accordance with 10 CFR Part 55 requirements (Sections 05.3 and 05.6).
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' Licensee controls to revise the licensed operator requalification training program were satisfactory (Section O5.4).
The development of remediation plans lacked a comprehensive root cause analysis for individual performance (Saction 05.5),
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Reports Details L Operations
Operator Training and Qualification 05.1 QpeInting History a.
jaSpection Scoce (71001)
l The inspectors reviewed the following to assess the !! censed operator requalification training program's effectiveness regarding operator performance:
- SALP Report No. 50-461/97001.
- Resident inspector observations and reports covering the time frame of April e
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1996 to present.
Licensee event reports covering the time frame of June 1996 to present.
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. Licensed operator requalification training Repe t No. 50-461/95014(DRP).
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b.
Observations and Findings The inspectors noted that the poor operator performance documented in the above reporis was attributable, in part, to incorrect and inadequate procedures and ineffective training for operators conceming usage of procedures. Clinton Power Station (CPS)
management took aggressive actions in late 1996 in response to a Severity Level 11 violation to correct the identified procedure deficiencies and operator performance issues.
The inspectors observed operators correctly executing various procedures during the dynamic simulator and job performance measures examinations. No control room observations were made to determine if procedures were being correctly executed under actual operating conditions.
c.
Conclusions The inspectors determined that the licensed operator requalification training program had not been effective in training operators in proper procedure usage. Operators are capable of executing procedures correctly in a controlled examination environment.
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L 05,2 Requalification Examinations a.
insoection Scone (71001)
The inspectors reviews i the following using IP 71001, Appendix A check-lists titled " Simulator Scenano Review Checklist," " Job Performance Measure (JPM)
Quality Checklit'" snd the "NRC Checklist for Written Examination Questions" to assess the folle
.g examination materials' quality and content:
Sample plan prepared for the current annual requalification operating e
examinations, Written requalification exams administered in October and November 1997, e
Operating requalification exams administered duririg the inspection week.
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Observations and Findinas The inspectors reviewed the scenarios administered during the inspection week, as well as additbnal scenarios administered in previous weeks using the Apoendix A checklist titled " Simulator Scenario Review Checklist." Tho dynamic scenarios were challenging and provided ample opportunity to evaluate the crew and individuals based on critical tasks and competencies. An item for improvement was ide,ntified from the checklist involving the need to increase the number of malfunctions that occur after EOP entry.
The licensee generated a condition report to track and correct the problem during the inspection period.
The inspectors reviewed the observed JPM set and two additional JPM sets administered in previous weeks. The JPMs had appropriate steps identified as critical.
An item for improvement was identified that involved JPM validation after tho initial development of the JPM. For example changes in radiation protection requirerrents or industrial safety requirements and how these impacted the performance of the JPM.
The licensee generated a condition report to track and correct the problem during the inspection period.-
The written examination questions were of good quality and were written to the appropriate difficulty level. A majority of the open reference questions were higher cognitive knowledge level questions. Two items for improvement were identified. The first involved the need to decrease the number of repeat auestions between weeks.
The inspectors identified that more than fifty percent of tl.t questions were repeated between examination weeks. The second item involved the use of some " direct look-up" questions. NUREG 1021, Rev. 8, Form ES-602-1, item 6, defines a " direct look-up"
- question as a question that only requires the examinee to recall where to find the answer. This type of question should be avoided and the licensee agreed to reduce the number of direct look-up questions during the next written examination. The licensee generated a condition report to track and correct the problems identified during the inspection period.-
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5 c.
Conclusions The examinations developed by facility instructors contained the necessary quantitative and qualitative attributes to provide an effective evaluation of operator skills. The CPS training department is capable of writing a requalification examination that meets all the requirements of 10 CFR 55 and the CPS systematic approach to training (SAT) based requalification training program.
05.3 RequallflCation Examination Administration Practices a.
Insoection Scoge (71001)
The inspectors performed the following to assess the licensee's policies and practices regarding requalification examination administration, and simulator fidelity:
Observed and evaluated the performance of one operating crew during dynamic o
simulator scenarios and the JPM examinations.
Reviewed Training Administrative Procedures.
Reviewed the simulator fidelity log.
b.
Observations and Findings The inspectors observed the licensee evaioate one operating crew performance during two dynamic simulator scenarios. The licensee identified no unsatisfactory performance of either the crew or an individual during the inspection period. The licensee had identified unsatisfactory performance of individuals during dynamic scenarios and written examinations performed in the previous examination week.
No new simulator performance or fidelity issues were identified during the inspectors'
observation of the operating examination. See enclosed / Attachment 1, Simulation Facility Report.
Good exar# nation security was observed throughout the examination administration.
c.
Conclusions The inspectors concluded that the licensee was implementing the licensed operator requalification program in accordance with 10 CFR Part 55.59.
05.4 Reaualification Trainina Program Feedback Svstem a.
Insoection Scoce (71001)
The inspectors performed the following to assess the licensee's training program feedback system effectiveness:
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Revtswed the Safety Assessment and Quality Verification (SAQV) audit Q38-95 -
e H and Q38-96-09 for Nuclear Training, j
i Reviewed recorded changes to the requalificait 1 program.-
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Reviewed operator feedback,
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b.
Observations and Findings J
The licensee assessed the identified Individual operator and crew weaknesses, operator training requests, and plant.nd industry events. Based on those assessments, training
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material was selected for the upcoming training cycle dudng the periodic meetings of the Curriculum Review Committee (CRC). The program was current, up to date, and flexible enough to incorporate emerging training issues.
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Conclusions The inspectors determined that the feedback process was effectively implemented.
05.5 Remedial Training Prooram a.'
Insoection Scone (71001)
The inspectors performed the following to assess the licensee's remedial training program effectiveness:
Reviewed individual operator and crew performance evaluations for the six e
completed examination weeks.
- Reviewed the remediation training plans fcr unsatisfactory operator performance for the six completed examination weeks.
- Interviewed licensee personnel (licensed operators, instructors / evaluators, and supervisors),
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Observations and Fir 4[ngs Remedial training was given to individuals who did not perform up to standards during the ann::at requalification examination. The development of remediation plans lacked a comprehensive root cause analysis for individual performance. Retake examinations for
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individual operators and/or crews were comprehensive and ensured that the individual operator had achieved the required skills to mtum to licensed duties,
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- Conclusions
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The inspectors concluded that the remediation plans lacked a comprehensive root i
cause analysis for individual performance weaknesses. This was identified as an item
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. for improvement.
05.6 Conformance with Ooerator License Conditions
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Insoection Scoos (71001)
The inspectors reviewed the following documents to assess the licensee's compliance
- with 10 CFR 55.53, " License condition requirements," and 10 CFR 55.21, " Medical examination."
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Systems approach to training program records, e
Requalification training records,
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- e Licensed operator medical records, b.
Ohservations and Findings The facility licensee's records for both active and inactive licenses covering the current two year requalification period were requested and reviewed. The records were easily
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licensee's activities to the requirements of 10 CFR 55.53 and 10 CFR 55.21, c.
Conclusions i
The inspectors did not identify any non-compliance items associated with the
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requirements of 10 CFR 55.53 and 10 CFR 55.21.
V. Management Meetings X1 Exiliaeeting summary The inspectors presented the inspection results to members of licensee management on November 7,1997. The licensee acknowledged the findings presented.
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The inspectors asked the licensee whether any materials examined during the inspection could oe considered proprietary. No proprietary informetion was identified.
Attachment: Simulation Facility Report -
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PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED
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Licensee
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- G. Baker, Manager Quality Assurance
- K. Baker, Director Resource Management
- R. Bedford, Assistant Director Operations
- J. Christenson, Assistant Training Manager t-
- ' J. Ciabill, Director Industrial Safety
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- J.- Gearhart, Director Quality Assurance
- J. Owens, Supervisor Operator Training
- -J. Palchak, Manager Nuclear Training and Support
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- R. Phares, Manager-Nuclear Safety and Performance Improvement
- J. Sipek, Director Licensing
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- M. Stickney, Supervisor Licensing Regional Regulatory IntCace
- J. Taylor,- Director Administration
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- -J. Wemlinger, Director Operations Training and Emergency Response
- ' M. Wyatt, Assistant Plant Manager NRC
- G. Larizza, Reactor Engineer
- E. Plettner, Reactor Engineer
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- K, Stoedter, Resident inspector
- Denotes those present at the exit on November 7,1997.
INSPECTION PROCEDURES USED
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't" IP 71001:
Licensed Operator Requalification Program Evaluation IP 71707:
Plant Operations-ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED None
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" Attachment 1'
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SIMULATION FACILITY REPORT -
Facility Licensee; Clinton Power Station Unit 1 -
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Facility Licensee Dockets No: 50-461
Operating Tests Administered: November 5,1997 This form is to be used only to report observations. These observations do not constitute audit -
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or inspection findings and are noi, without fwther verification and review, indicative of noncompliance with 10 CFR 55.45(b). These observations do not affect NRC certification or
f approval of the simulation facility other than to provide information that may be used in future evaluations.: No licensee action is required in response to_these nbservations.
While conducting the simulator portion of the operating tests, the following items were observed
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(if none, so state):
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[IEM DESCRIPTION
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NONE OBSERVED t
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