IR 05000498/1993029
| ML20057C660 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | South Texas  |
| Issue date: | 09/16/1993 |
| From: | Murray B NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20057C658 | List: |
| References | |
| 50-498-93-29, 50-499-93-29, NUDOCS 9309290235 | |
| Download: ML20057C660 (8) | |
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APPENDIX
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U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION-
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REGION IV
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Inspection Report:
50-498/93-29 50-499/93-29
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Operating Licenses: NPF-76 NPF-80 i
Licensee: Houston Lighting and Power Company
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P.O. Box 1770 Houston, Texas 77251 Facility Name: South Texas Project Electric Generating Station Inspection At:
Bay City, Texas Inspection Conducted: August 30-September 3, 1993 Inspector: Anthony D. Gaines, Radiation Specialist Facilities Inspection Programs Section
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Approved:
9I4MJ D' td
./urray, Chief, Facilities Inspection a
Programs Section Inspection Summary Areas Inspected (Units 1 and 2):
Routine, announced inspection of the solid
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radioactive waste management and radioactive materials transportation programs.
Results (Units 1 and 2):
i Excellent audits and surveillances were performed by qualified
individuals (Section 1.1).
l There had been no major changes io facilities, equipment, programs, or
procedures (Section 1.2).
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An appropriate safety review was performed for an interim, low level
waste storage building (Section 1.2).
The radioactive waste and transportation programs had a well qualified
staff (Section 1.3).
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Training for personnel involved in transportation duties was good
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(Section 1.3).
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9309290235 930916 PDR ADOCK 0500
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-2-Good implementing procedures were maintained for the radioactive waste
management program (Section 1.4).
Radioactive waste was properly classified, characterized, and prepared
for shipment (Section 1.5).
Individuals responsible for transportation of radioactive waste were
knowledgeable of the re ulatory requirements and burial site license conditions (Section 1.6.
Attachment:
Attachment - Persons Contacted and Exit Meeting
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-3-i DETAILS 1 SOLID RADI0 ACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT AND TRANSPORTATION OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS (86750)
The inspector reviewed the radioactive material transportation program to determine agreement with the commitments made in response to NRC Bulletin 79-19; compliance with the requirements of 10 CFR Parts 20, 30, and 71; and 49
CFR Parts 171 through 189. The inspector also reviewed the program for processing, control, and onsite storage of solid radioactive waste for agreement with the commitments in Chapter 11.4 of the Updated Final Safety Analysis Report and compliance with the requirements in Technical Specifications 6.8 and 6.11; and 10 CFR 20.301, 20.311, 61.55, and 61.56.
1.1 Audits and Appraisals Audit and surveillance reports of quality assurance activities performed since the last NRC inspection of the solid radioactive waste and transportation programs in June 1992 were reviewed for scope, thoroughness of program evaluation, and timely followup of identified deficiencies.
Quality Assurance Audit Report 92-21, " Radioactive Waste," was performed December 7-18, 1992, in accordance with quality assurance procedures and schedules by qualified auditors who were knowledgeable in solid radioactive waste and transportation
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program requirements at nuclear power facilities. The inspector noted that the audit identified pertinent findings, and that prompt corrective actions were taken to correct the findings. The audit of the solid radioactive waste and transportation programs was of good quality and satisfactory to evaluate the licensee's performance of implementing the solid radioactive waste and transportation programs.
The inspector reviewed the corrective actions for Audit Report 92-21, in particular, the deficiency pertaining to emergency response to transportation accidents. The inspector observed an acting radiation protection supervisor perform emergency response activities during a simulated emergency and determined that the supervisor's response was very good.
The inspector verified that audits were performed on vendors that performed waste compaction and disposal and radioactive waste sample analyses.
i The inspector reviewed the quality assurance surveillances performed during the period June 1992 through August 1993 in the areas related to the performance of the solid radioactive waste and transportation programs. The quality assurance surveillances were of good quality and satisfactory to evaluate the licensee's performance and provide periodic mar 49eedat oversight.
The inspector reviewed radiological occurrence reports and station problem reports concerning transportation activities and confirmed that corrective actions had been taken in connection with identified deficiencies, i
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_4 1.2 Chances The inspector reviewed changes concerning organizat)9n, management controls,
staffing, and the assignment of solid radioactive waste and transportation program responsibilities. The inspector noted that there had been no major changes in facilities, equipment, programs, and procedures that would have adversely affected the solid radioactive waste management and transportation of radioactive materials programs since the last inspection. The inspector noted the minor organizational changes that were made to the program.
The inspector reviewed activities regarding the planned storage facility for low-level radioactive waste.
Since the last inspection, the licensee had
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performed 7. 10 CFR 50.59 review of the facility and amended their Updated Final Safety Analysis Report to include the storage facility. The inspector
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reviewed the licensee's amendment and safety review and noted that they were
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appropriate.
z 1.3 Training and Qualifications
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The inspector reviewed the training and qualification programs for personnel responsible for implementing the solid radioactive waste and transportation of radioactive materials programs. The inspector reviewed selected individual staff training records. The licensee's training records indicated that the
i radwaste training course had been conducted annually and was last conducted in August 1992. The training was provided by a vendor and met the subjects
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discussed in NRC Bulletin 79-19. The inspector noted that the appropriate personnel attended the training course.
l The inspector reviewed lesson plans and discussed training with the training l
instructor responsible for providing training for health physics staff
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involved with transportation activities. The inspector also discussed training with a quality control representative and reviewed the lesson plan for the radioactive receipt / shipment training provided quality control and quality assurance personnel. The training was appropriate for the required
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duties.
The inspector determined that the radioactive waste and transportation programs had an appropriate, qualified staff to perform radioactive waste and transportation activities.
1.4 Solid Radioactive Waste Management The inspector reviewed selected radioactive waste procedures that implemented the solid radioactive waste management program.
The inspector noted that the procedures were adequate for the processing and disposal of low-level radioactive waste and met the requirements of the Technical Specifications.
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-5-The inspector reviewed the licensee's records for low-level radioactive waste shipped since 1990. The following table shows the total volume and curie content of the low-level radioactive waste shipped for the period January 1, 1990, through December 11, 1992.
[VOLUMEkCUBIC)
JYEAR
- NETERSi TCURIE CONTENTE 1990 57.7 13.8 1991 99.8 98.1 1992 82.7 439.7 The licensee stated that they have access to a radioactive waste burial site until the middle of 1994. The licensee had made plans for interim onsite storage for uncertainties of future burials past the middle of 1994. The
licensee was also exploring ways to reduce the amount of " clean" trash that was sent to their vendor for disposal as radioactive waste.
1.5 Radioactive Waste Classification, Waste Characterization, and Shipping Reauirements The inspector reviewed the radioactive waste procedures and found the licensee's program for classification and characterization of radioactive waste to meet the requirements of 10 CFR 61 and 10 CFR 20.311. The licensee and a contractor laboratory performed radiochemical analyses on samples of various radioactive waste types to meet the requirements in 10 CFR 61.55 and 61.56. The test sample analyses results were used for determination of radwaste classification and isotopic composition of the radwaste sources.
The licensee performed analysis for isotopic characterization of radioactive waste packaged for shipment ad burial and employed correlation factors for characterization of isotopes not directly identified.
The inspector reviewed selected radioactive waste shipment manifests and shipping papers that accompanied the licensee's shipments of radioactivo
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waste.
The inspector determined that the completed manifests complied with the requirements of 10 CFR 20.311.
1.6 Transportation Activities The inspector reviewed the transportation program for shipment of radioactive materials and radioactive waste.
1.6.1 Quality Assurance Program The licensee has maintained an approved (Approval 0645) quality assurance program in accordance with 10 CFR Part 71, Subpart H, for the transportation i
of radioactive materials. The approval expires March 31, 1998.
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1.6.2 Procurement and Selection of Packages j
The licensee used strong-tight containers for the shipment of radioactive waste. Most of the shipments were in sea / land containers which contained uncompacted waste that was shipped to a vendor for sorting, incineration,
and/or supercompacting the radioactive waste. The licensee was on the user's
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list for all NRC and Department of Transportation certified packages used.
The licensee maintained current documentation on the manufacturer's design testing, maintenance, and the NRC Certificate of Compliance for all
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radioactive material packages used by the licensee.
1.6.3 Preparation of Packages for Shipment
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The inspector verified that the licensee had procedures and checklists for the preparation of radwaste.;hipments.
These procedures provided for visual inspection of the package prior to filling the container, instructions for closing and sealing the container, marking and labeling requirements, and
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determination of radiation and contamination limits. The licensee routinely used a checklist to assure that the procedures were followed and that packages were properly prepared for shipment in accordance with NRC, Department of
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Transportation, state, and burial site requirements.
The inspector observed the preparation of a shipment of contaminated equipment to a vendor.
Discussions with and observations of licensee personnel during the shipment preparaticn indicated that the individuals involved in the transportation of i
radioactive waste and materials possessed a good knowledge of the licensee's
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implementing procedures and NRC and Department of Transportation regulations pertaining to the preparation of packages for shipment.
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1.6.4 Delivery of Completed Packages to Carriers The inspector verified that the licensee's procedures addressed the required NRC and Department of Transportation regulations. A review of selected
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records and shipping papers for radioactive waste shipments indicated that the licensee had prepared appropriate manifests and shipping papers in accordance with approved procedures. The shipping papers included the necessary
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information to comply with regulatory requirements. The licensee only used exclusive use carriers for all radioactive waste shipments and assured that the following items were in accordance with NRC and Department of
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Transportation regulations and station procedures:
radiation levels were within required limits, transport vehicles were properly placarded, surface contamination on packages did not exceed requirement levels, and blocks and/or i
braces were in place to prevent damage or shifting of the load during transit.
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1.6.5 Records, Reports, and Notifications The inspector reviewed selected records of radioactive waste shipments made by the licensee during 1992 and 1993.
The licensee's shipments were adequately documented to meet NRC and Department of Transportation regulations.
The licensee maintained records of all radioactive waste and materials shipments
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as required.
The records included all shipping documentation, radiation surveys, and required notification data.
There were no accidents or
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enforcement actions involving shipments of the licensee's radioactive material or radioactive waste.
1.7 Conclusions i
Excellent audits and surveillances were performed by qualified audit personnel. The audits and surveillances identified pertinent findings and i
corrective actions were completed in a timely manner. There had been no major i
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changes in facilities, equipment, programs, or procedures.
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The radioactive waste and transportation programs included a well qualified staff. A good training program was maintained for radwaste personnel.
Good implementing procedures had been established for the radioactive waste
management program.
Good implementing procedures were in place that addressed waste classification
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and characterization, selection of packages, preparation of packages, and delivery of the completed packages to the carrier.
Individuals responsible
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for transportation of radioactive waste were knowledgeable of the regulatory
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requirements and burial site license conditions.
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ATTACHMENT
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1 PERSONS CONTACTED
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1.1 Licensee Personnel
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- J. F. Groth, Vice President, Nuclear Generation
- J. E. Behm, Quality Assurance Specialist
- H. W. Bergendahl, Manager, Technical Services
- M. K. Chakravorty, Executive Director, Nuclear Safety Review Board
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- M. A. Coughlin, Senior Licensing Engineer
- S. H. Daniel, Manager, Chemical Operations and Analysis
- H. R. Ebel, Staff Engineer, Plant Engineering
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- R. A. Gangluff, Manager, Effluent and Waste Management
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- W. R. Harris, Supervising Engineer, Plant Engineering
- S. M. Head, Deputy Licensing Manager
- T. J. Jordan, General Manager, Nuclear Engineering i
- D. A. Leazar, Manager, Plant Engineering
- L. S. LeMaster, Senior Development Analyst
- J. E. Lovejoy, Supervisor, Instruments and Controls
- P. E. Parrish, Senior Licensing Specialist
- R. W. Pell, Manager, Health Physics i
- M. J. Rejeck, Consulting Engineer, Effluent and Waste Management Division
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- J.
Sepulveda, Supervisor, Radiation Protection - Radwaste
- J. J. Sheppard, General Manager,
- W. C. Smith, Senior Radiation Protection Technician
- K. J. Taplett, Acting General Manager, Nuclear Assurance
- D. Towler, Supervisor, Quality Assurance Audits
1.2 NRC Personnel
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- J. M. Keeton, Resident Inspector
- Denotes personnel that attended the exit meeting.
In addition to the personnel listed, the inspector contacted other personnel during this inspection period.
2 EXIT MEETING An exit meeting was conducted on September 3, 1993. During this meeting, the inspector reviewed the scope and findings of the report. The licensee did not identify as proprietary, any information provided to, or reviewed by the inspector.