05000271/LER-2001-003

LER-2001-003,

Docket Number
Event date:
Report date:
2712001003R00 - NRC Website

DESCRIPTION:

On 06/20101, with the reactor at full power, Vermont Yankee (VY) denied unescorted access authorization to a contractor employee. The denial followed the disposition of a previously undisclosed criminal history received on 06/04/01. On 06/04/01, the contractor was flagged In the Personnel Access Data System (PADS) with an entry, which would alert other sites to contact VY prior to granting site access to this contractor. On 06115/1, the contractor initiated a request for unescorted access authorization at the Seabrook Nuclear Power Station (SNPS).

SNPS contacted VY In reference to the flagged PADS entry. VY requested an interview with the contractor. The contractor then stated that he withheld reporting the criminal record, mistakenly believing it to be out of the five-year scope for reporting. VY directed the contractor to produce documentation that would indicate the status of the record. While waiting to receive the documentation, VY consulted the psychological screening provider pertaining to the contractor's withholding of the criminal history. Upon re-screening of the MMPI test data and follow up interview, the psychological screening provider determined he would not have recommended unescorted access authonzation, if the criminal history record had been known to him at the time access was granted. The contractor had temporary access authorization at VY from 04/20/01 to 05/13/01. There were no human performance, behavioral or work related performance issues identified with the contractor during the period of access.

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CAUSE OF THE EVENT:

The contractor withheld information pertaining to his criminal history.

ANALYSIS:

VY Security personnel performed the screening process correctly and in accordance with approved procedures,which requires the reporting of all convictions. Criminal history records are not available when processingindividuals for temporary unescorted access authorization. The contractor stated that he believed at the time of theinitial screening, that cnminal history beyond five years did not need to be reported. If this information had beenknown at the time access was granted, it would have precluded granting temporary unescorted accessauthorization at Vermont Yankee.

CORRECTIVE ACTIONS:

1) On 06/04/01, an entry was made to PADS pertaining to the contractor's incomplete criminal history, which would alert other sites to contact VY prior to authorizing access to the contractor.

2) On 06/20/01, the contractor's temporary unescorted access authorization at Vermont Yankee was revoked and PADS was updated to reflect this.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

No similar security clearance events have occurred at Vermont Yankee.

Seabrook Nuclear Power Station initiated actions to deny unescorted access authorization to the contract worker.

Criminal history documentation was received from the Individual verifying the conviction for which he failed toreport.