ML13316A065
| ML13316A065 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | San Onofre  |
| Issue date: | 08/24/1990 |
| From: | Scarano R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION V) |
| To: | Ray H SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON CO. |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9010050008 | |
| Download: ML13316A065 (4) | |
Text
Dockets 50-206, 50-361 and 50-362 Southern California Edison Company Irvine Operations Center 23 Parker Street Irvine, California 92718 Attention:
Mr. Harold B. Ray, Senior Vice President Gentlemen:
SUBJECT:
Investigation Conducted by the NRC Office of Investigation Case No. (5-89-008)
This refers to a special investigation conducted by the NRC Office of Investigation of activities authorized by NRC License Number (DPR 13).
This investication, described in the enclosed Office of Investigation Report Synopsis, consisted of interviews of personnel and review of selected documents.
The investioaticn involved alleged falsification of chemical analyses records at Unit 1. We have also reviewed the results of your investigation identified as Nuclear Safety Concern 89-021.
Cur. investigation did not identify sufficient evidence for us to conclude that the individual willfully failed to collect and analyze required chemical samples or created false records requi-red by the license. However, your investigation found a pattern of behavior which calls into question the individual's reliability.
We understand that as a result of your investigation the individual involved was reassigned to a position such that unescorted access to the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station is no longer permitted.
TJn accordance with 10 CFR 2.790(a), a copy of this letter and the enclosure will be placed.in the NRC Public Document Room.
Should you have any questions concerning this investigation, we will be glad to discuss them with you.
Sincerely, Ross A. Scarano, Director Division of Radiation Safety &
Safeguards Attachments Synopsis of Investigative Findings, Case No. 5-89-008 bcc w/enclosure:
A. Johnson. Enforcement Officer RSB/Document Control Desk (RIDS)
R. Marsh, RV:01 Allegation File, ATS RV-89-A-0011 J. Lieberman,.E J. Goldberg, GCPC PDF; DFf
SYNOPSIS On June 26, 1989, the Regional Administrator, Region V (RV), U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), requested that an investigation be initiated concerning alleged falsification of chemistry analyses during the previous three years by a nuclear chemistry technician at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) Unit 1, and the possibility that SONGS management had condoned such activities.
During the investigation by the NRC Office of Investigations (01), RV, four incidents of possible falsified chemistry analyses or records by the same technician were identified:
- 1. Incident No. 1:
Alleged falsified boron analysis, circa 1986-87.
- 2. Incident No. 2:
Alleged falsified reactor coolant system (RCS) oxygen analysis on August 5, 1987.
- 4. Incident No. 4:
Alleged falsified nitrite analysis of the component cooling water (CCW) system on-January 18, 1989.
Regarding Incidents No. 1 and 3, there was some testimony received during the 01 investigation to suggest incorrect/falsified analyses or records, however, there clearly was insufficient evidence to conclude that the technician had intentionally performed any wrongdoing in those two instances.
Concerning Incident No. 2, the 01 investigation revealed that on August 5, 1987, there was an allegation of a falsified RCS oxygen analysis by the technician which was reported to the technician's two foremen. At the time of the incident in 1987 and the foremen's subsequent investigation, the technician provided conflicting stories of how and where the RCS oxygen sample was obtained. The foremen's investigation did not substantiate that the analysis had not been performed, but did conclude that the technician had to have violated SONGS procedures in order to have obtained the required RCS sample. As a result, the technician was counselled by the foremen, his first line supervision, and the counselling was documented in a memorandum to the technician's personnel file. There was no further disciplinary action in the matter. In both the foremen's investigation and the 01 investigation, it appeared th;it the technician had not been completely truthful in 1987 in providing the details of the incident. It can not be concluded at this late date, that the technician had not performed the RCS oxygen analysis on the specified date.
In the 01 investigation concerning Incident No. 4, the preponderance of evidence supported the conclusions that: 1) the technician's recorded figure for the CCW system nitrite analysis on the data sheet of January 18, 1989, was incorrect, and 2) his recording of that figure was a willful act. It was not concluded, however, that a nitrite analysis was not performed by the technician on that date. Although the 01 investigation also established that Case No. 5-89-008 1
the incident had been reported to a foreman on January 18, 1989, with some subsequent management action, there was insufficient evidence to support a.
conclusion that SONGS management condoned falsified chemistry analyses or records. The RV staff advised that no procedural violations occurred.
In November 1989 during the 01 investigation, Southern California Edison Company (SCE),
the licensee, received essentially the same allegation of falsified analyses or records which culminated in an internal investigation by SCE corporate security department. During that investigation, the technician was interviewed and denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
The SCE investigation concluded in March 1990 that although there was no conclusive evidence of falsification of data by the technician, it was disclosed that over an extended period of time, there was a pattern of unexplained mistakes or failures by the technician to follow established.procedures. Thus, the reliability of the technician's work was questioned. As a result, the technician's authorization for access to SONGS protected area was terminated, and he was temporarily assigned to other duties.
Case No. 5-89-008 2
RV/gmd GYuhas AJo son RScarano 8/'9 /90 8/
90 8/2f/90 EST COPY REQUEST COPYOY
] REQUESIT COPTY ND TO POR
/NO
] YES/NO
]Q.
YES
/NO
]YES /NO
/ES NO