LR-N21-0020, Subsequent Request for Exemption from Specific Requirements of 10 CFR Part 26, Fitness for Duty Programs

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Subsequent Request for Exemption from Specific Requirements of 10 CFR Part 26, Fitness for Duty Programs
ML21056A442
Person / Time
Site: Salem, Hope Creek  PSEG icon.png
Issue date: 02/25/2021
From: Duke P
Public Service Enterprise Group
To:
Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
LR-N21-0020
Download: ML21056A442 (8)
v • d • e


Text

10 CFR 26 LR-N21-0020 February 25, 2021 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555-0001 Salem Generating Station, Units 1 and 2 Renewed Facility Operating License Nos. DPR-70 and DPR-75 NRC Docket Nos. 50-272 and 50-311 Hope Creek Generating Station Renewed Facility Operating License No. NPF-57 NRC Docket No. 50-354

Subject:

Subsequent Request for Exemption from Specific Requirements of 10 CFR Part 26, "Fitness for Duty Programs"

References:

1. NRC Letter from H. Nieh to NEI, "U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Planned Actions Related to the Requirements for Work Hour Controls During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Public Health Emergency," dated March 28, 2020 (ML20087P237).
2. NRC Letter from H. Nieh to NEI, "U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Updated Planned Actions Related to Certain Requirements for Operating and Decommissioning Reactor Licensees During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Public Health Emergency," dated November 10, 2020 (ML20261H515).
3. PSEG letter to NRC, "Request for Exemption from Specific Requirements of 10 CFR Part 26, "Fitness for Duty Programs," dated December 23, 2020 (ML20358A186).
4. NRC Letter to PSEG, "Hope Creek Generating Station and Salem Nuclear Generating Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2 - Exemption from Select Requirements of 10 CFR Part 26 (EPID L-2020-LLE-0239 [COVID-19])", dated December 28, 2020 (ML20358A281).

As a result of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency (PHE), PSEG Nuclear LLC (PSEG) requested NRC approval for Salem Units 1 and 2 and Hope Creek Generating Stations (Salem/Hope Creek) in Reference 3 to establish alternative work hour controls. In Reference 4, the NRC approved the requested exemption from specific requirements of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 26, Fitness for Duty Programs, Section 26.205, Work hours, for Salem/Hope Creek. This exemption is effective from January 6, 2021, through March 6, 2021.

February 25, 2021 10 CFR 26 Page 2 LR-N21-0020 By implementing the alternative work hour controls, PSEG is taking steps to complete necessary work, testing, and inspections and maintain security in a manner that supports both worker and neighboring community safety to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Pursuant to 10 CFR 26.9, this subsequent request is being made in support of the continued efforts to maintain the recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) related to social distancing, worker screening, and limiting close-proximity work. Specifically, PSEG requests extension of the approved work hour exemption, for 60 days beyond the current expiration date.

Leveraging the alternative work hour controls will facilitate further worker and community protection as PSEG operates Salem and Hope Creek.

The alternative controls will support maintaining staffing requirements as a result of continuing personnel absence due to COVID-19 positive test results or contact tracing quarantines that cannot be accommodated by the current work hour control requirements of 10 CFR 26.205(d) to support plant operational safety and security. Current levels of COVID-19 cases in the state of New Jersey and surrounding states could impact the stations' ability to meet the work hour controls of 10 CFR 26.205(d) in maintaining minimum staffing and ensuring an adequate number of qualified individuals who perform the duties specified in 10 CFR 26.4(a)(1) through (a)(5) are available to complete necessary operations, tests, inspections, and maintenance in a manner that supports nuclear safety and security. The requested extension of the exemption would allow PSEG to proactively take steps to ensure added flexibility is available to facilitate further worker and community protection and ensure safe operation during the subsequent exemption period.

An additional period of exemption from the 10 CFR 26.205(d)(1) through (d)(7) requirements is intended to prevent and limit the spread of COVID-19 and to mitigate its effect should Salem/Hope Creek staffing be significantly impacted. PSEG intends to use the alternative controls, where necessary, to efficiently perform operation, inspection, maintenance and testing activities that cannot be performed in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations related to social distancing, mask usage, worker screening, and limiting close proximity work. This practice will reduce the number of people involved in specific activities to limit the potential spread of COVID-19 and supports PSEG's continuing efforts to maintain CDC recommendations. In addition, the extended alternative controls will be used to mitigate the staffing impacts should personnel absences challenge required staffing levels during the continuing COVID-19 PHE.

As the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Energy have stated in their guidance, the electric grid and nuclear plant operation make up the nations critical infrastructure similar to the medical, food, communications, and other critical industries. Salem's and Hope Creek's operation must be conducted such that the plants are available when needed.

In accordance with the References 1 and 2, the following information is provided in the table below:

Positions [as described in 10 CFR 26.4(a)(1) - (5)] for which either current work-hour controls will be maintained or for which alternative controls (if necessary) will be implemented for the listed positions.

The date and time for which alternative controls (if necessary) will be implemented for the listed positions.

February 25, 2021 10 CFR 26 Page 3 LR-N21-0020 Positions Compliance Begin Implementation 26.4(a)(1) Operators 26.4(a)(2) Health Physics Will phase in site-specific alternative and Chemistry controls as defined in the Reference Upon NRC approval 26.4(a)(3) Fire Brigade letters, as necessary, to minimize 26.4(a)(4) Maintenance transition issues.

26.4(a)(5) Security Salem/Hope Creek site-specific COVID-19 PHE fatigue-management controls are consistent with the constraints outlined in the Reference 1 letter and its attachment. Salem/Hope Creek will continue to follow the fatigue management controls, behavioral observation requirements, and self-declaration allowances currently delineated within the PSEG work hour control program and procedures (LS-AA-119, SY-AA-102 and SY-AA-103-513).

The following provides the requested information for expedited review of subsequent requests in accordance with Reference 2.

Positions Additional Information 26.4(a)(1) Salem Operations has been following the normal online schedules during the initial Operators exemption period. Alternative controls have not been utilized.

Salem Operations works a 10-week rotating 12-hour shift schedule (0600 - 1800 /

1800 - 0600) staffed with five independent crews:

4 Days - Monday - Thursday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (3 days off) 4 Days - Monday - Thursday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (7 days off) 3 Days - Friday - Sunday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (4 days off) 3 Days - Friday - Sunday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (3 days off) 4 Nights - Thursday - Sunday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (3 days off) 3 Nights - Thursday - Saturday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (2 days off)

Training Tuesday - Friday (10.5 hours5.787037e-5 days <br />0.00139 hours <br />8.267196e-6 weeks <br />1.9025e-6 months <br />); (2 days off)

Training Monday - Thursday (10.5 hours5.787037e-5 days <br />0.00139 hours <br />8.267196e-6 weeks <br />1.9025e-6 months <br />); (2 days off) 4 Nights - Sunday - Wednesday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (4 days off) 3 Nights - Monday - Wednesday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (4 days off)

February 25, 2021 10 CFR 26 Page 4 LR-N21-0020 Positions Additional Information 26.4(a)(1) Hope Creek Operations has been following the normal online schedules during the Operators initial exemption period. Alternative controls have not been utilized.

Hope Creek Operations works a 10-week rotating 12-hour shift schedule (0600 -

1800 / 1800 - 0600) staffed with five independent crews:

Training Monday - Thursday (10.5 hours5.787037e-5 days <br />0.00139 hours <br />8.267196e-6 weeks <br />1.9025e-6 months <br />); (7 days off) 3 Nights - Friday - Sunday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (4 days off) 3 Nights - Friday - Sunday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (3 days off) 4 Days - Thursday - Sunday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (3 days off) 3 Days - Thursday - Saturday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (2 days off)

Training Tuesday - Friday (10.5 hours5.787037e-5 days <br />0.00139 hours <br />8.267196e-6 weeks <br />1.9025e-6 months <br />); (2 days off) 3 Days - Monday - Wednesday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (3 days off) 4 Days - Sunday - Wednesday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (4 days off) 4 Nights - Monday - Thursday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (3 days off) 4 Nights - Monday - Thursday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (3 days off)

During the Hope Creek outage, Hope Creek Operations plans to work a fixed schedule of days or nights (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />) with 4 days on and 1 day off.

26.4(a)(2) Salem Radiation Protection and Hope Creek Radiation Protection have been Health Physics following the normal online schedule during the initial exemption period.

Alternative controls have not been utilized.

Radiation Protection technicians staffing the shift schedule work a 4-week rotating 12 hour1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br /> shift schedule (0600 - 1800 / 1800 - 0600) staffed with four independent crews:

4 Days - Monday - Thursday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (7 days off) 4 Nights - Friday - Monday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (3 days off) 3 Days - Friday - Sunday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (1 day off) 3 Nights - Tuesday - Thursday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (3 days off)

RP technicians who are not staffing the rotating schedule typically work Monday through Friday, 0700 - 1530.

During the Hope Creek outage, Hope Creek Radiation Protection plans to work a fixed schedule of days or nights (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />) with 4 days on and 1 day off.

February 25, 2021 10 CFR 26 Page 5 LR-N21-0020 Positions Additional Information 26.4(a)(2) Salem Chemistry and Hope Creek Chemistry have been following the normal online Chemistry schedule during the initial exemption period. Alternative controls have not been utilized.

Chemistry technicians assigned as shift technicians work according to the following schedule:

4 Days - Monday - Thursday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (7 days off) 4 Nights - Friday - Monday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (3 days off) 3 Days - Friday - Sunday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (1 day off) 3 Nights - Tuesday - Thursday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (3 days off)

Chemistry technicians not staffing the shift positions typically work Monday through Friday, 0700 - 1530.

For the Hope Creek outage, Hope Creek Chemistry plans to work a fixed schedule of days or nights (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />) with 4 days on and 1 day off.

26.4(a)(3) The Fire Department has been following the normal online schedule during the initial Fire Brigade exemption period. Alternative controls have not been utilized.

The Fire Department works a 5-week rotating 12-hour shift schedule (0600 - 1800 /

1800 - 0600) staffed with five independent crews:

4 Days - Monday - Thursday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (7 days off) 4 Nights - Friday - Monday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (3 days off) 3 Days - Friday - Sunday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (1 day off) 3 Nights - Tuesday - Thursday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (3 days off)

Training Monday - Thursday (10.5 hours5.787037e-5 days <br />0.00139 hours <br />8.267196e-6 weeks <br />1.9025e-6 months <br />); (3 days off)

For the Hope Creek outage, the Fire Department will maintain the normal rotating shift schedule.

February 25, 2021 10 CFR 26 Page 6 LR-N21-0020 Positions Additional Information 26.4(a)(4) Maintenance has been following the normal online schedule during the initial Maintenance exemption period. Alternative controls have not been utilized.

Most covered maintenance personnel typically work Monday through Friday, 0700 -

1530.

Hope Creek 12-hour Maintenance and Salem 12-hour Maintenance work a 10-week rotating 12 hour1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br /> shift schedule (0700 - 1900 / 1900 - 0700) staffed with five independent crews:

Training Monday - Thursday (10.5 hours5.787037e-5 days <br />0.00139 hours <br />8.267196e-6 weeks <br />1.9025e-6 months <br />); (7 days off) 3 Nights - Friday - Sunday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (4 days off) 3 Nights - Friday - Sunday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (3 days off) 4 Days - Thursday - Sunday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (3 days off) 3 Days - Thursday - Saturday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (2 days off)

Training Tuesday - Friday (10.5 hours5.787037e-5 days <br />0.00139 hours <br />8.267196e-6 weeks <br />1.9025e-6 months <br />); (2 days off) 3 Days - Monday - Wednesday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (3 days off) 4 Days - Sunday - Wednesday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (4 days off) 4 Nights - Monday - Thursday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (3 days off) 4 Nights - Monday - Thursday (12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />); (3 days off)

For the Hope Creek outage, Hope Creek Electrical, Mechanical and I&C Maintenance plan to work 12-hour shifts (0700 - 1900 / 1900-0700) 6 days a week with one day off in accordance with normal outage rules, with the day and night shifts rolling to the opposite shift after two weeks.

For the Hope Creek outage, Hope Creek 12-hour Maintenance plans to follow their normal shift rotation, with additional days scheduled, consistent with the outage rules (at least one day off a week).

26.4(a)(5) Security shifts are fixed either from 0615 to 1815 or from 1815 to 0615 with up to 30 Security minutes of additional time for turnover Officers typically work a 36 hour4.166667e-4 days <br />0.01 hours <br />5.952381e-5 weeks <br />1.3698e-5 months <br /> week (Monday, Thursday, Friday), followed by a 48 hour5.555556e-4 days <br />0.0133 hours <br />7.936508e-5 weeks <br />1.8264e-5 months <br /> week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday).

As of February 24, 2021, the alternative controls have been used at least once for 11 individuals due to COVID-19 issues. Within the 2 weeks prior to February 24, 2021, all of the 11 individuals have had at least 2 consecutive days off.

Security averaged 39.7 hours8.101852e-5 days <br />0.00194 hours <br />1.157407e-5 weeks <br />2.6635e-6 months <br /> worked per week during the initial exemption period.

For the Hope Creek outage, Security personnel will maintain their normal schedule of fixed shifts from 0615 to 1815 or 1815 to 0615, averaging 44 hours5.092593e-4 days <br />0.0122 hours <br />7.275132e-5 weeks <br />1.6742e-5 months <br /> per week every 2 weeks.

February 25, 2021 10 CFR 26 Page 7 LR-N21-0020 Immediately preceding the initial exemption period, there were no days that the work hours of personnel specified in 10 CFR 26.4(a) were controlled in accordance with neither 10 CFR 26.205(d)(3) nor (d)(7) .

To date, no instances requiring fatigue assessments arising from self-declared or behavioral observations of fatigue have occurred since the beginning of the exemption period commencing January 6, 2021.

Upon NRC approval, Salem/Hope Creek will implement the alternative controls described below, consistent with the Reference letters for the management of fatigue during the period of the exemption. These controls ensure that covered workers are subjected to the following minimum controls:

1. not more than 16 work-hours in any 24-hour period and not more than 86 work-hours in any 7-day period, excluding shift turnover;
2. a minimum 10-hour break is provided between successive work periods;
3. 12-hour shifts are limited to not more than 14 consecutive days;
4. a minimum of 6-days off are provided in any 30-day period; and
5. The calculation of work hours and days off includes all work hours and days off during the applicable calculation periods, including those work hours and days off preceding initiation of the exemption period; and
6. requirements are established for behavioral observation and self-declaration during the period of the exemption.

The requirements of 10 CFR 26.33, "Behavioral observation"; 10 CFR 26.209, "Self-declarations"; and 26.211, "Fatigue assessments" remain in effect during the period of the exemption. These requirements provide reasonable assurance that should personnel become impaired due to fatigue, requirements and processes are in place to identify the impairment through observation by plant staff or by worker self-declaration, and to assess and address instances of impairment through fatigue assessments.

Upon NRC approval, Salem/Hope Creek will implement the alternative controls described in the Reference 1 and 2 letters for the management of fatigue until May 5, 2021. During the subsequent exemption period, Salem Units 1 and 2 are planned to remain operating in MODE 1. A refueling outage is planned for Hope Creek during a portion of the requested subsequent exemption period.

PSEG requests NRC approval of the requested subsequent exemption by March 5, 2021.

There are no regulatory commitments contained in this letter.

Should you have any questions concerning this letter, please contact me at 856-339-1466 .

Manager - Licensing PSEG Nuclear LLC

February 25, 2021 10 CFR 26 Page 8 LR-N21-0020 cc: Administrator, Region I, NRC Project Manager, NRC NRC Senior Resident Inspector, Salem NRC Senior Resident Inspector, Hope Creek Mr. P. Mulligan, Chief, NJBNE PSEG Corporate Commitment Tracking Coordinator Site Commitment Tracking Coordinator

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