Information Notice 1988-20, Unauthorized Individuals Manipulating Controls and Performing Control Room Activities

Unauthorized Individuals Manipulating Controls and Performing Control Room Activities

ML031150277
Person / Time
Site:	Beaver Valley, Millstone, Hatch, Monticello, Calvert Cliffs, Dresden, Davis Besse, Peach Bottom, Browns Ferry, Salem, Oconee, Mcguire, Nine Mile Point, Palisades, Palo Verde, Perry, Indian Point, Fermi, Kewaunee, Catawba, Harris, Wolf Creek, Saint Lucie, Point Beach, Oyster Creek, Watts Bar, Hope Creek, Grand Gulf, Cooper, Sequoyah, Byron, Pilgrim, Arkansas Nuclear, Three Mile Island, Braidwood, Susquehanna, Summer, Prairie Island, Columbia, Seabrook, Brunswick, Surry, Limerick, North Anna, Turkey Point, River Bend, Vermont Yankee, Crystal River, Haddam Neck, Ginna, Diablo Canyon, Callaway, Vogtle, Waterford, Duane Arnold, Farley, Robinson, Clinton, South Texas, San Onofre, Cook, Comanche Peak, Yankee Rowe, Maine Yankee, Quad Cities, Humboldt Bay, La Crosse, Big Rock Point, Rancho Seco, Zion, Midland, Bellefonte, Fort Calhoun, FitzPatrick, McGuire, LaSalle, 05000000, Zimmer, Fort Saint Vrain, Shoreham, Satsop, Trojan, Atlantic Nuclear Power Plant
Issue date:	05/05/1988
From:	Rossi C Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:
References
IN-88-020, NUDOCS 8804290106
Download: ML031150277 (7)

UNITED STATES

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 May 5, 1988 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE NO. 88-20: UNAUTHORIZED INDIVIDUALS MANIPULATING

CONTROLS AND PERFORMING CONTROL ROOM

ACTIVITIES

Addressees

All holders of operating licenses or construction permits for nuclear power, test and research reactors, and all licensed operators.

Purpose

This information notice is being provided to alert addressees to potential

problems resulting from unauthorized persons manipulating controls and per- forming control room activities. It is expected that recipients will review

the information for applicability to their facilities and consider actions, as appropriate, to avoid similar problems. However, no specific action or

written response is required.

Description of Circumstances

On September 13, 1987, with Turkey Point Unit 3 at 30% power, a non-licensed

individual (who was not enrolled in an operator training program) under the

direct supervision of a licensed operator turned the reactor control make-up

switch to "start" on two occasions in close succession. At the time of the

event, a 30% power flux map was in progress. Negative reactivity was being

added to the reactor because of xenon buildup. To minimize flux distortion, control rod motion was being minimized, and the negative reactivity insertion

from the xenon buildup was being countered by lowering the boron concentration

in the RCS (dilution). The dilution was being performed by periodically adding

preset quantities of non-borated water to the RCS. The licensed operator preset

the non-borated water quantity to 30 gallons, then permitted the non-licensed

individual to turn the reactor control make-up switch to the "start" position.

The system response to the 30-gallon dilution was not sufficient, and the above

evolution was repeated, with the non-borated water quantity preset by the

licensed operator at 20 gallons. The licensed operator directly supervised

both dilutions. This event is discussed further in Licensee Event Report

(LER) 250/87-024 (Voluntary Report).

8804290106

IN 88-2n -<'

May 5, 1988 The NRC resident Inspectors at Braidwood were informed of a similar event by

that facility's licensee. An individual licensed at another facility (but

not enrolled in an operator training program) was temporarily contracted to

Braidwood as an equipment attendant. On September 20, 1987, this individual

was allowed to manipulate the controls on the Unit 1 reactor for a dilution

of the RCS and for a control rod movement.

No serious consequences occurred from either of these events. However, these

incidents are contrary to the requirements of 10 CFR 50.54(i) and 10 CFR 55.3 because these actions directly affected the reactivity and power of the re- actor, and the individuals performing the actions did not meet the exemption

requirements of 10 CFR 55.13. (10 CFR 55.13 allows an Individual, under the

direction and in the presence of a licensed operator, to manipulate the controls

of a facility as a part of the Individual's training in a facility licensee's

training program.) Because neither individual was enrolled in an approved

operator training program, the exemption requirements of 10 CFR 55.13 were

not satisfied.

Discussion:

The events discussed above are contrary to 10 CFR Parts 50 and 55.

Addressees

may wish to ensure that they are familiar with these requirements. In addi- tion, the requirements of 10 CFR Part 55 were revised in 1987 and made effec-

-t-tve-on- May-26-1,-1987---These-rev-sions-j-as-weT-I-as-other-relevant-fnformationj--

are discussed in NUREG-1262, "Answers to Questions at Public Meetings Regarding

Implementation of Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 55 on Operators'

Licenses," published in November 1987.* A copy of this document was provided

to all power and non-power reactor licensees and applicants for licenses by

Generic Letter 87-16.

Addressees

who have not already done so may wish to

obtain and review a copy of NUREG-1262 to ensure that they are familiar with

the revisions made to 10 CFR Part 55.

The NRC has required individuals licensed at near-term operating license (NTOL)

facilities to obtain operational experience at like facilities through coopera- tive arrangements. Nothing in this Information notice is intended to preclude

such arrangements.

• A copy of NUREG-1262 can be ordered by writing to the Superintendent of

Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Post Office Box 37082, Washington, D.C. 20013-7082, or by callinc (202) 275-2060.

IN 88-?0

May 5, 1988 No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.

If you have any questions about this matter, please contact the technical

contact listed below or the Regional Administrator of the appropriate regional

office.

sE.Ros frector

Division of Operational Events Assessment

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

John N. Hannon, NRR

(301) 492-1031 Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

Attachment

TM PR-20

May 5 1988 Page i of 1 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED

NPC INFOPPATION NOTICES

TInfrormat1ott Uate or

Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to

88-19 Questionable Certification 4/26/88 All holders of OLs

of Class lE Components or CPs for nuclear

power reactors.

8f-18 Malfunction of Lockbox on 4/25/88 All NRClicensees

Radiography Device authorized to

manufacture, distribute, and/or operate radio- graphic exposure

devices.

88-17 Summary of Responses to NRC 4/22/88 All holders of OLs

Bulletin 87-01, "Thinning of or CPs for nuclear

Pipe Valls in Nuclear Power power reactors.

Plants"

88-16 Identifying Waste Generators 4/22/88 Radioactive waste

in Shipments of Low-Level collection and

Waste to Land Disposal service conpany

Facil ities licensees handling

prepackaged waste, and licensees operating

low-level waste

disposal facilities.

a8-1S Availability of U.S. Food 4/18/88 Medical, Academic.

and Drug Administration and Conmercial

(FDA)-Agproved Potassium licensees who possess

Iodide for Use In Emergencies radioactive Iodine.

Involving Radioactive Iodine

R8-14 Potential Problems with 4/18/88 All holders of OLs

Electrical Relays or CPs for nuclear

power reactors.

-M TtaterHWanmer and Possible /18/88 All hTdsers-oftra

Piping Damage Caused by or CPs for nuclear

Misapplication of terotest power reactors.

Packless Metal Diaphragm

Globe Valves

OL - Operating License

CP

• Construction Permit

UNITED STATES FIRST CtASS MAIL

POSTAGE b FEES PAID

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION USNRC

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 PERMtT No. Cta7 OFFICIAL 8USINESS

PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE. S300

IN 88-20

May 5, 1988 No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.

If you have any questions about this matter, please contact the technical

contact listed below or the Regional Administrator of the appropriate regional

office.

Charles E. Rossi, Director

Division of Operational Events Assessment

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

John N. Hannon, NRR

(301) 492-1031 Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

• SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCES

• C/OGCB:DOEA:NRR

CHBerlirnger

04nt4?88 04/28/88

• OGCB:DOEA:NRR *LOLB:DLPQ:NRR *LOLB:DLPQ:NR.R*D7DOPQ:NRR *PPMB:ARM

JRamsey IWiens JHannon JRoe TechEd

04/25/88 04/22/88 04/22/88 04/26/88 02/17/88

IN 88-XX

April xx, 1988 No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.

If you have any questions about this matter, please contact the technical

contact listed below or the Regional Administrator of the appropriate regional

office.

Charles E. Rossi, Director

Division of Operational Events Assessment

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

John N. Hannon, NRR

(301) 492-1031 Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

• SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCES

D/DOEA:NRR C44'>A: NRR

CERossi CHBerlinger

04/ /88 04 8 OGC g NRR LOL PLPQ:NRR LOLB 1 Q:NRR D/ DjQ:NRR *PPMB:ARM

JRa'm~y IWiens JHannon JRoi TechEd

04/ ?88 04/'J /88 04y- /88 04/ /88 02/17/88

IN 88-xx

February xx, 1988 individual was allowed to manipulate the controls on the Unit 1 reactor for a

dilution of the RCS, and for a control rod movement.

No serious consequences occurred from these events; however, these incidents

appear to be contrary to the requirements of 10 CFR 50.54.j and 10 CFR 55.3 since these actions directly affected the reactivity and power of the reactor, and the individuals performing the actions did not meet the exemption require- ments of 10 CFR 55.13 (10 CFR 55.13 allows an individual, under the direction

and in the presence of a licensed operator or senior operator, to manipulate

the controls of a facility as a part of the individual's training in a facility

licensee's training program). Since neither individual was enrolled in an

approved operator training program at the affected facility, it appears that

the the exemption requirements of 10 CFR 55.13 were not satisfied.

Discussion:

The requirements of 10 CFR Part 55 were revised in 1987, and made effective on

May 26, 1987. The occurrence of these events indicates that addressees need to

be reminded of the revisions that were made to 10 CFR Part 55. The revisions, as well as other relevant information, are discussed in NUREG-1262, "Answers to

Questions at Public Meetings Regarding Implementation of Title 10, Code of

Federal Regulations, Part 55 on Operators" Licenses," published in November

1987,* a copy of which was provided to all power and non-power reactor

licensees and applicants for licenses by Generic Letter 87-16.

Addressees

that

have not already done so may wish to obtain and review a copy of NUREG-1262 to

ensure compliance with the requirements of 10 CFR Part 55. In addition, it is

recognized that the NRC has required individuals licensed at near term operat- ing license (NTOL) facilities to obtain operational experience at like facili- ties through cooperative arrangements. Nothing in this Information Notice is

intended to preclude such arrangements.

No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.

If you have any questions about this matter, please contact the technical

contact listed below or the Regional Administrator of the appropriate regional

office.

Charles E. Rossi, Director

Division of Operational Events Assessment

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

John N. Hannon, NRR

(301) 492-1031 Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

• A copy of NUREG-1262 can be ordered by writing the Superintendent of

Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Post Office Box 37082, Washington, D.C. 20013-7082, or by calling (202) 275-2060.

D/DOEA:NRR C/OGCB:DOEA:NRR PPMB:ARM

CERossi CHBerlinger TechEd &

02/ /88 02/ /88 02/l1/88 OGCB:DOEA:NRR LOLB:DLPQ:NRR LOLB:DLPQ:NRR D/DLPQ:NRR OGC

JRamsey LWiens JHannon JRoe

02/ /88 02/ /88 02/ /88 02/ /88 02/ /88