Information Notice 1987-21, Shutdown Order Issued Because Licensed Operators Asleep While on Duty

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

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.

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IN 87-?l

May 11, 1987

Paqe 9 of 3

3.

Plant management above the Shift Superintendent position either knew and

condoned the facts set forth in paragraph I or should have known the facts

and taken action to correct this situation.

The order requires the licensee to provide a detailed and comprehensive plan to

ensure full compliance with NRC requirements before requestinq the restart au- thorization of either unit. The order clearly states the NRC position on this

issue:

The NRC expects licensees to maintain high standards of control

room professionalism. NRC licensed operators in the control

rooms at nuclear power plants are responsible for assurinr

that

the facility is operated safely and within the requirements of

the facility's license, technical specifications, regulations and

orders of the NRC. To be able to carry out these hiqhly important

responsibilities, reactor operators must give their full attention

to the condition of the plant at all times. Operators must be alert

to ensure that the plant is operating safely and must be capable of

taking timely action in response to plant conditions.

All control

room business must be conducted In such a way that neither control

room operator attentiveness nor the professional atmosphere will

be compromised.

Sleeping while on dutv in the control room demon- strates a total disregard for pertorminq licensed duties and a lack

of appreciation for what those duties entail.

fiscussion:

As previously disseminated in TE Circular Rl-nP, "Performance of NRC-Licensed

Individuals While on Duty," conditions and practices that are amonq those the

NRC believes to be necessary for the maintenance of a professional atmosphere

in the control room and throughout the facility include the followina:

1. All on-duty NRC-licensed operators and operating supervisors must be aware

of and responsible for the plant status at all times. This includes su- pervisors being responsible for the performance of all personnel assigned

to their shift whoo could affect plant safety, regardless of specialty af- filiation. Knowledqe of the plant's status must be ensured during shift

changes by a formal watch turnover and relief.

2. All on-duty NRC-licensed operators must be alert, remain within their im- mediate areas of responsibility until properly relieved, and be particu- larly attentive to the Instrumentation and controls located within these

areas at all times.

3. Potentially distracting activities in the control room and other watch

stations must be prohibited (for example:

use of radios, TV, alcohol or

drugs, lames, horseplay, hobbies, and readinq that is not directly Job

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:

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