ML13182A013

Notification of Non-Compliance with Technical Specification 6.2.2 Qualifications of the Radiation Safety Officer

ML13182A013
Person / Time
Site:	Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission
Issue date:	07/01/2013
From:	Mecca S State of RI, Atomic Energy Comm, Nuclear Science Ctr
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
Download: ML13182A013 (3)

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NSTATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS RHODE ISLAND ATOMIC ENERGY COMISSION Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center 16 Reactor Road Narragansett, RI 02882-1165 Notification of Non-Compliance with Technical Specification 6.2.2 Qualifications of the Radiation Safety Officer Document Control Desk U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001 Docket: 50-193 License: R-95 Event:

On April 24, 2013, after a careful review of the qualifications of the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) at the Rhode Island Nuclear ý'cience Center, the Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission at its special meeting for this purpose concluded that the current RSO does not have the requisite educational and Experience qualifications as stated in T.S. 6.2.2 which states:

Rý"5-hius.. have a .ý .ister'isdegree in the field of "health physics or radiological health and three Vearso&,:'apjlied'pxTvsics"experI1-:e:in a prfrgrai i 'wi(.i radi'*aido fe/roblenis sirnilir.btthose in ihe'program" 'to be~mariaged~' '.:> L. t Imihmediate Acion, , , .....

The Commission V*ted to te,e' up1erations imniediatel'ý.ukltil compliance couid be adhie'ed. A*'tihe time the reactor was not in operation.

At 10:10 AM Dr. Kadak and Mr. Jeffrey Davis Operations Director called the NRC operations center to report this non-compliance and subseqbient action; lhiiii non-compliance is classified as a Reportable Occurrence under Technical Specification 1.2.5.8:

"An observed inadequacy in the implementation of administrative or procedural controls such that the inadequacy causes or threatens to cause the existence or development of an unsafe condition in connection with thlioperation ..... . .. ... .. ..of-the facility"

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Background:

The RiAEC was invistigatirig',he qda,*.ictioihs of theistaff hieaith Ohysicist (inot the RSO) when the Commission received the ý,,larch 25, 2013 NRC inspector's report which focused on the health physics fur6ctiunwhiich'cu~ncluded among other things:

"Th'e 16'spector reviewed th' ba.kground of the newly promoted individual and determined that this in*dlvidbal nad the work exjrlerice ai,6 educ:atiL..al bKg-idU g 1'cp'eqiire"k-1y 7.S 6"1&.2-".

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1 41 Additionally the inspector also commented on the new health physicist by stating:

"the new health physicist appeared to have the appropriate background for that ,2-MmE+.,

As a result of this review, Dr. Mecca called the inspector inquiring is to the criteria used to make the finding and what ihiormation was provided to the inspector since the Commission was at the time questioning the qualifications of the newly hired HP based on the lack of qualifications relative to meeting state hiring requirements.

Recognizing that the NRC does not have requirements for the HP but only for the RSO position in the technical specifications, the Commission chose to investigate the v{hff qualifications having already studied those of the HP relative to state requirements. Both investigations lead to the finding of lack of qualifications for both people.

The new RSO has been in his position since September 2012 with no apparent violations identified in the Radiological Protection area at the RINSC.

Ariparent Cause:

The hiring of the RSO was done by the past Executive Director (no longer employed at the facility) without checking the Technical Specification Requirements.

The RIAEC has had a search for a new Executive Director since January 2013 after the sudden retirement of the past Executive Director in December 2012.

Commission Actions:

1. The Commission is reviewing the hiring practices to assure that such situations do not occur in the future.

2. In the short term, the Commission is seeking to hire a qualified RSO contractor to oversee the work of the existing RSO and only allow operation when the qualified person is on site.

3. Considering options for a permanent solution that may result in a search for a new qualified RSO to resume normal operations. This will require approval by the Rhode Island Department of Administration.

Submitted by:

Stephen Mecca Chairman Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission Cc:

USNRC Region I 2100 Renaissance Boulevard Suite 100 King of Prussia. P.A 194QF-2713 Page 2 of 3

Mr. Xiaosong Yin USIR Mail Stop 012-D20 Washington, DC20555 Page 3 of 3 A