ML14057A639

Response to Request for Additional Information Regarding Requalification Plan for the Rinsc Reactor License Renewal

ML14057A639
Person / Time
Site:	Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission
Issue date:	02/24/2014
From:	Goodwin C State of RI, Atomic Energy Comm
To:	Patrick Boyle Document Control Desk, Division of Policy and Rulemaking
References
TAC ME1598
Download: ML14057A639 (10)

Text

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission 16 Reactor Road

~arragansett,R1 02882-1165 Telephone # 401-789-9391 February 24, 2Q14 Mr. Patrick Boyle, Project Manager Research and Test Reactors Licensing Branch Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001

SUBJECT:

RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING REQUALIFIACTION PLAN FOR THE RINSC REACTOR LICENSE RENEWAL (TAC NO. '

ME1598) .

Me Boyle, Attached is the updated response the request for additional information (RAI) regarding the requalification plan for the Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center(RINSC} r.eactor license renewal based on our teleconference with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission' (NRC) on February 19,; 201481'0900' EST.. We agreed to provide our updated responses within 30 days of the February'19, 2014 . '

teleconference. . .

The response includes one enclosure. The enclosure contains our updated Reactor Operator.Re-Qualification procedure.

Respectfully" Cameron Goodwin, PhD, Director Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center I certify under penalty of perjury that the representations made above are true and correct Executed on: OJ/4If;l1 By:~~4y

RINSC OPERATING PROCEDURES Reactor Operator Re-QuaHfication I. SCOPE:

This instruction outlines the requirements for re-qualifying reactor operators and senior reactor operators at the RINSC.

II. DISCUSSION:

The RO/SRO re-qualification program is designed to demonstrate RO/SRO competence and to satisfy the requirements of 10CFR55.53 and 10CFR55.59. In accordance with.1 OCFR55.59, the re-qualification program is 24 months in duration and is conducted on a continuous period. For the purpose of this procedure, RO shall refer to* any licensed Reactor Operator,SRO shall refer to any licensed Senior Reactor Operator, and Operator *shall refer to any licensed operator, reactor,* or senior reactor.

III.

REFERENCES:

A. 10CFR55.53 B. 10CFR55.59 C. Non-Power Reactor Operator Licensing Examiner Standards -NUREG1478, .

June 1995.

IV. PRECAUTIONS:

A. To maintain an active Operator's License at the RINSe one shall:

1. Be the console operator at least once every three months and operate a total of at least 4 hours4.62963e-5 days <br />0.00111 hours <br />6.613757e-6 weeks <br />1.522e-6 months <br /> or complete SRO duties for at least 4 hours4.62963e-5 days <br />0.00111 hours <br />6.613757e-6 weeks <br />1.522e-6 months <br /> (10CFR 55.53e).

a. During each three month period, the operators must also complete one reactor start-up and one shutdown.

2. Complete an annual operational re-qualification exam. The interval between two successive operating testsshall.not exceed 15 months.

a. Two operational re-qualificationexams must be completed during each re-qualification program cycle.

b.Each operational exam .will include a reactor start-up and shutdown.

3. Complete a biennial written exam. The interval between any two successive written examinations shall not exceed 30 months.

.Revised. by/Date Approved by/Date Revision No. Procedure No.

NRC MJD 2/24/14 3 Draft AP - 02 Page 1 of 9

a.A biennial exam will be given during each requalification cycle.

b. Each operator must complete the biennial exam within 30 days of the completion of the re-qualification cycle.

c. If an operator is* unable to complete this exam within the required timeframe,the operator will not be able to carry-out any licensed duties until the exam is completed and they' have successfully completed there-quaHfication cycle.

4. Renewone's NRC Operator License every six years in atimelymanner..

5. Review changes to the Facility License, Technical Specifications, Operating Procedures, Emergency Plan and Implementing Procedures, Security Plan, Facility Design Changes, NRC Notices and other important l

reactor related material in a timely manner.

6. Successfully complete a biennial medical evaluation. The interval between two successive medical evaluations shall not exceed 30 months.

v. PROCEDURES:

A. INTRODUCTION The .Re-qualification Program is desi.gned to demonstrate Operator and Senior Operator competence, and to satisfy the requirements of 10CFR55.59 for license .renewal. The Program embodies the substance of 10CFR55.59, including, provisions for an annual operational examination, a biennial written examination,a structured lecture and study program when necessary to correct deficiencies, on the 'job training and evaluation of licensees, and a records maintenance' system.

During. each- year, an operational examination shall be administered to all licensed personnel having regular operational responsibility at the RINSC.

Every other year, a written examination shall be administered.

Subsequent to determining any deficiencies indicated by the annual examination, a retraining program will be ini!iated which consists of a combination of lectures, self-study by the licensee, tutoring of the licensee, and appropriate examination on the material covered. The final selection of the combination of retraining sessions will depend upon the performance. of the licensee on the written examination.

All study materials used in the .program shall be reviewed to assure they remain current. Study materials shall be collected and made available to aU licensees throughout the course of the program.

Reactor Operator Revision No. Procedure No.

Re-Qualification 3 Draft AP - 02 Page 2*of 9

B. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION AND REVIEW The Assistant Director for Operations of the RINSC shall serve as the Training Coordinator, and shall be responsible for the implementation, coordination,

.and operation of the Re-qualification Program. The duties of the Training

, Coordinator shall. be designated. to another* SRO on alternate years. The Training Coordinator or his designee will prepare, administer,grade, and review all examinations and quizzes required by the program. In this capacity, and since he is a licensed Senior Operator, he will be considered as having completed the examination and retraining program requirements for that period.

C. BIENNIAL WRITTEN EXAMINATION

1. The biennial written examination given to all licensed personnel, will iriclude questions taken from:

a. Reactor Theory, Thermodynamics, and Facility Operating Characteristics~

b. Normal and Emergency Operating Procedures and Radiological Controls.

c. Facility and Radiation Monitorrng Syste'ms.

2.. The exam should contain at least 10 objective questions from each section.

3. The examinations may be open book.

4. The exams will be graded, reviewed and retained at the RINSC. For each Iicensee,a review form will. be prepared indicating his/her grade in each exam category. The areas of deficiency and the retrainingto be followed in improving the licensee's competence in that area will then be determined.

A grade below 700/0 in a single category shall require retraining for that licensee in that area of deficiency. An overall score below 700/0 on the exam shall require that:

a. The licensee shall be immediately enrolled in a retraining program.

b. ' Prior to continuing his/her responsibilities of operation of the reactor, the licensee shall be given an oral exam to verify competence as a' console operator.

Reactor. Operator Revision No. Procedure No.

Re-Qualification 3 Draft AP - 02 Page 3 of 9

D. RETRAINING PROGRAM

1. The retraining program shall consist of an appropriate combination of:

a. Lectures,

b. Self-study of reference materials,

c. Tutoring sessions,

d. Examinations.

2. Retrainil'}g shall be completed within 90 days and require passing of a written exam on the appropriate section(s).

E. REACTOR OPERATIONAL EXAM One reactor operation of each year for each licensee shall be devoted "to operator re-qualification. The* training coordinator shall be present fn the control room during ~ all reactivity control manipulations associated with the operation, and shall evaluate the operator's performance, competenc~,

knowledge of the reactor system, and knowledge of operating and emergency procedures. If*defiCiencies are noted, a retraining program will be organized, implemented and conducted within a period of 90 .days. The performance evaluation should include:

1. Administrative topics,

2. Control room*systems,

3. Facility walkthrough,

4. Reactor operation.

F. RE-QUALIFICATION PROGRAM STUDY MATERIALS The training coordinator shall provide a complete set. of study and reference materials for use. It shall be his/her responsibility to perform a review of the contents of these reference materials to ensure they are adequate and accurately reflect operations, conditions, and. design characteristics of the facility. As a minimum, these materials shall include copies of:

1. A suitable general reference text on reactor physics,

2. RINSCOperating Procedures,

3. RINSC Abnormal Procedures,

4. RINSCEmergency Plan & Implementing Procedures,

5. RINSe Technical Specifications,

6. GE Operation and Maintenance manual,

7. 10CFR19, 20, 50, 55, and 70,

8. RINSC Radiation Safety Guide,

9. Health Physics principles & techniques.

Reactor Operator Revision No. Procedure No.

Re-Qualification 3 Draft AP - 02 Page 4 of 9

G.SPECIAL* CONDITIONS

1. Operating Frequency

a. A quarterly review shall be performed to ensure that each licensee has participated in at least one reactor operation during each three month period for at least four (4) hours or supervised licensed activities for at least four (4) hours or a combination totaling four (4) hours.

b. A licensee who does not participate in reactor operation for three or more* months shall be given an oral examination *on** facility and procedure changes, and shall perform a minimum of six (6) hours of supervised reactor operations before being reassigned regular operational duties at the facility, provided he is up to date on the comprehensive biennial written examinations. These actions are required to .meet 10CFR55.53(f) re-certification requirements. Results of these examinations shall be retained in the licensee's file.

2. A licensee who does not complete the biennial exam shall not be allowed to assume the operator duties until the exam is successfully completed and graded.'

3. Serious deficiencies in either the wri.tten exam <<550/0 overall) or the operational exam may result in removal of certification until retraining is successfully completed.

H. RECORDS These records shall be retained at the RINSC for the period until the individual's license is renewed:

1. All exams and required re-examinations, which were taken by the licensee during each of the re-qualification period.

2. The examination review sheets filled out at the conclusion of the exam and after any indicated re-exams. There should also be an evaluation sheet completed for each operational exam.

3. Summaries of control manipulations for licensees involved* in the' re-qualification program (NSC-45).

4. Certification that each licensee has reviewed changes in. the facility license, design, and procedures (Required Reading. List sign-off sheet).

5. Certification of Medical Examination by Facility Licensee (NRC Form 396) for each licensee.

VI. ATTACHMENTS:

Reactor Operator Revision No. Procedure No.

Re-Qualification 3 Draft AP - 02 Page 5 of 9

A. Written Requalification Exam Cover Sheet B. Operational Requalification Exam Template C.Operator Requalification Program Checksheet Reactor Operator Revision No. Procedure No.

Re-Qualification 3 Draft AP -02 Page 6of9

THE RHODE ISLAND NUCLEAR SCIENCE CENTER RESEARCH REACTOR OPERATOR REQUALIFICATIONEXAMINATION Name: _ _'-- ~ License Number: _

Date Administered: '--_ _~'---_--

Instructions:

Answers are to be written on the examination page itself., A grade of 70%

is required to pass the examination. Three hours are permitted to complete the examination.

Candidate's Declaration:

All work done on this examination is my own. I have neither given nor received aid.

Candidate's Signature Examination Results:

SECTION SECTION PERCENT SECTION POINTS SCORE OF SECTION A. Reactor Theory, Thert.TIodynamics, Facility Characteristics 10 B. Normal & Emergency Procedures, Radiological Controls 10 C. Facility and R~diation Monitoring Systems 10 TOTAL 30 Evaluation:

Satisfactory (>70t)

Unsatisfactory Examiner's Signature: _ Date: -.-:-_

Reactor Operator Revision No. Procedure No.

Re-Qualification 3 Draft AP - 02 Page 7 of 9

Operational Regualification Exam Date:

Candidate:

Operation Run Number:

Examiner:

1. Operating Procedure QP - 02 RINSC Pre-Start Checkout:

o o

2. Operating Procedure OP - 03 Reactor Power Changes:

o o

3.- Operating Procedure. '

o o

4. Operating Procedure o

o

5. Operating Procedure EP - 01 Emergency Plan Implementing Procedures:

o o

Reactor Operator Revision. No. Procedure No.

Re-'Qualification 3 Draft AP- 02 PageS of 9

NSC-45 OPERATORREQUALIFICATION PROGRAM CHECKSHEET Name: - _ License Level: SRO RO Year:

First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Complete 4.hours of RO or SRO duties each quarter D' D D []

Complete 1 reactor start-up and 1 reactor shutdown each quarter D D D D Revie~changesto Facility License, Tech Specs, Operating Procedures, Emergency Procedures, Facility Design Changes, NRC D II D II D D Notices, and other related material.

Complete yearlyoperational re-qual exam I Date: I I Complete 2 year written re-qual exam I IDate.: I Complete biennial medical ,evaluation I Date: I Renew NRC Operator License every 6 years I Date: I Reactor Operator Revision No. Procedure No.

Page 9 of9 Re-Qualification 3 Draft AP-02