Information Notice 1987-21, Shutdown Order Issued Because Licensed Operators Asleep While on Duty
ML031180011 | |
Person / Time | |
---|---|
Issue date: | 05/11/1987 |
From: | Rossi C Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
To: | |
References | |
IN-87-021, NUDOCS 8705060040 | |
Download: ML031180011 (4) | |
SSIHS No.: 6835 IN 87-?1 tINITED STATES
NUCLEAR RFGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 May 11, 1987 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE NO. 87-21: SHUTDOWN ORnER ISSUED BECAUSE LICENSED
OPERATORS ASLEEP WHILE ON DUTY
Addressees
All nuclear power reactor facilities holding an operating license CoL or a
construction permit (CP) and all licensed operators.
Purpose
The purpose of this information notice is to reaffirm the principle of high
standards of control room professionalism and operator attentiveness that are
essential to ensure a nuclear power reactor facility Is operated safely and in
a manner which will protect the health and safety of the public. It is ex- pected that recipients will review the information for applicability to their
facilities and consider actions, if appropriate, to preclude a similar problem
occurring at their facilities. However, suggestions contained'in this notice
do not constitute NRC requirements; #4erefore, no specific action or written
response is required.
Description of Circumstances
On March 24, 19R7, the Region I office of NRC received Information that certain
control room operators at the Peach Rottom Atomic Power Station had been ob- served sleeping while on duty In the control room and otherwise being inatten- tive to their license obligations.
On the basis of initial findings, an NRC order was issued on March 31, Iq87, directing the shutdown of Peach Bottom Unit 3 within 36 hours4.166667e-4 days <br />0.01 hours <br />5.952381e-5 weeks <br />1.3698e-5 months <br /> (Unit 2 was al- ready shutdown and in the refueling mode). As indicated in the order, the sa- lient findings to date have established the following-
1. At times during various shifts, particularly during the 11:00 p.m. to
7:0n a.m. shift, one or more of the Peach Bottom operations control room
staff (including licensed operators, senior licensed operators, and shift
supervisors) periodically have slept or been otherwise inattentive to lI-
censed duties while on shift during at least the past 5 months.
'. Management at the Shift Supervisor and Shift Superintendent level either
knew and condoned the facts set forth in paragraph 1, above, nr as a part
of their duties should have known of these facts and taken action to cor- rect the situation.
fDpr E pJ0b4-icXt 9- 6 1 is1 3Y 0-0v 3 __
IN 87-?l
May 11, 1987 Paqe 9 of 3 position either knew and
3. Plant management above the Shift Superintendent I or should have known the facts
condoned the facts set forth in paragraph
and taken action to correct this situation.
a detailed and comprehensive plan to
The order requires the licensee to provide before requestinq the restart au- ensure full compliance with NRC requirementsclearly states the NRC position on this
thorization of either unit. The order
issue:
high standards of control
The NRC expects licensees to maintainoperators in the control
room professionalism. NRC licensed for assurinr that
rooms at nuclear power plants are responsible the requirements of
the facility is operated safely and within regulations and
the facility's license, technical specifications, out these hiqhly important
orders of the NRC. To be able to carry full attention
responsibilities, reactor operators must give their
Operators must be alert
to the condition of the plant at all times.
safely and must be capable of
to ensure that the plant is operating plant conditions. All control
taking timely action in response to such a way that neither control
room business must be conducted In professional atmosphere will
room operator attentiveness nor the dutv in the control room demon- be compromised. Sleeping while on licensed duties and a lack
strates a total disregard for pertorminq
of appreciation for what those duties entail.
fiscussion:
Rl-nP, "Performance of NRC-Licensed
As previously disseminated in TE Circular
Individuals While on Duty," conditions and practices that are amonq those the
of a professional atmosphere
NRC believes to be necessary for thethemaintenance
facility include the followina:
in the control room and throughout
1. All on-duty NRC-licensed operatorsstatusand operating supervisors must be aware
at all times. This includes su- of and responsible for the plant the performance of all personnel assigned
pervisors being responsible for safety, regardless of specialty af- to their shift whoo could affect plant status must be ensured during shift
filiation. Knowledqe of the plant'sand relief.
changes by a formal watch turnover
2. All on-duty NRC-licensed operators must be alert, remain within their im- relieved, and be particu- mediate areas of responsibility until properly
and controls located within these
larly attentive to the Instrumentation
areas at all times.
control room and other watch
3. Potentially distracting activities in the use of radios, TV, alcohol or
stations must be prohibited (for example: that is not directly Job
drugs, lames, horseplay, hobbies, and readinq
related}
4. Control room access must be limited to thnse persons on official business
only and loiterina in this area must.he prohibited.
IN R7-?t
May 11, 1987 Paqe 3 of 3
5. All necessary plant-related technical/administrative control room business
must he conducted at a location and in such a manner that neither licensed
control room operator attentiveness nor the professional atmosphere will
be compromised. This includes activities associated with the use of spe- cial eating and training facilities for on-shift personnel.
TE Information Notice R5-53, "Performance of NRC-Licensed Individuals While on
Duty,. recently reemphasized these points.
It is recommended that each power reactor licensee review the content of this
notice with Its licensed operators and other plant staff as appropriate. Ad- ministrative procedures that provide guidance to licensed operators regarding
acceptable performance and behavior should also be reviewed and revised as nec- essary to ensure clear direction is provided in the area of shift supervisory
personnel duties and responsibilities, including operator attentiveness while
at the controls of a power reactor.
It is also recommended that the information contained in this notice be widely
disseminated to licensed personnel by management at a level that will convey
the very high degree of importance the NRC staff places on this aspect of reac- tor operation%.
No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.
Tf there are any questions reqardino this matter, please contact the Regional
Administrator of the appropriate NRC reqional office or this office.
Char es V. Rossi, flrector
nivision of Operational Events Assessment
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Technical Contacts: Robert M. fallo, Region I
Richa 337.1N25 Richard ,t,Kiessel, NRR
1 3nl i dep.ssos
Attachment: List of Recent.y Issued NRC Information Notices
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