ML14107A138

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

ML14107A138
Person / Time
Site:	Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission
Issue date:	04/16/2014
From:	Goodwin C State of RI, Atomic Energy Comm
To:	Patrick Boyle Division of Policy and Rulemaking
References
TAC ME1598
Download: ML14107A138 (10)

Text

16, 4

Mr. Patrick Boyle, Project Research Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation United States Nuclear Regulatory Washington, 20555..0001

SUBJECT:

RESPONSE

REQUALIFIACTION ME1598)

Mr.

(TAC Attached is the updated requalification plan for the Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center (RINSC) reactor license renewal. Our previous referenced an old version of Non-Power Reactor Operator Licensing Examiner Standards 1478. This discrepancy has corrected in this submittal.

The response includes one enclosure.

Qualification procedure.

our updated I certify Executed on:

Respectfully, Cameron Goodwin, PhD, Director Nuclear __.,~lI'"'ltr...~

RINSC OPERATING PROCEDURES Reactor Operator Re-Qualification 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 10 CFR 55.53 and 10 CFR 55.59.

In accordance with 10 CFR 55.59, 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 -NUREG 1478 IV.

PRECAUTIONS:

A. To maintain an active Operator's License at the RINSC 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 tests shall not exceed 15 months.

a. Two operational re-qualification exams 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.

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

Revised bylDate eSG 4/15/14 Approved by/Date NRC Revision No.

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b. Each operator must complete the biennial ex:am 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 the re-qualification cycle.

4. Renew one's NRC Operator License every six years in a timely manner.

v.

PROCEDURES:

A INTRODUCTION The Re-qualification Program is designed 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 initiated 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 all licensees throughout the course of the program.

So PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION AND REVIEW Reactor Operator Re-Qualification Revision No.

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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 bythe 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 include questions taken from:

a. Reactor

Theory, Thermodynamics, and Facility Operating Characteristics.

b. Normal and Emergency Operating Procedures and Radiological Controls.

c.

Facility and Radiation Monitoring Systems.

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 licensee, a review form will be prepared indicating his/her grade in each exam category. The areas of deficiency and the retraining to be followed in improving the licensee's competence in that area will then be determined.

A grade below 70% in a single category shall require retraining for that licensee in that area of deficiency. An overall score below 70% 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.

D. RETRAINING PROGRAM Reactor Operator Re-Qualification Revision Noo 3 Draft Procedure No.

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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. Retraining 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 in the control room during aU reactivity control manipulations associated with the operation, and shall evaluate the operator's performance, competence, 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. RINSC Operating Procedures,

3. RINSC Abnormal Procedures,

4. RINSC Emergency Plan & Implementing Procedures,

5. RINSC 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 Re-Qualification Revision No.

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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 leastfour (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 written exam <<55% 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:

A. Written Requalification Exam Cover Sheet Reactor Operator Re-Qualification Revision No.

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B. Operational Requalification Exam Template C. Operator Requalification Program Checksheet Reactor Operator Revision No.

Procedure No.

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THE RHODE ISLAND NUCLEAR SCIENCE CENTER RESEARCH REACTOR OPERATOR REQUALIFICATION EXAMINATION Name: __~

Date Administered:

~__

Instructions:

License Number:

~__

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.

received aid.

I have neither given nor Candidate's Signature Examination Results:

SECTION A. Reactor Theory, Thermodynamics, Facility Characteristics B. Normal & Emergency Procedures, Radiological Controls C. Facility and Radiation Monitoring Systems Evaluation:

SECTION POINTS 10 10 10 TOTAL 30 SECTION SCORE PERCENT OF SECTION Satisfactory

(>70%)

Unsatisfactory Examiner's Signature:

Date:

Reactor Operator Re-Qualification Revision No.

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Date:

Candidate:

Operation Run Number:

Examiner:

Operational Regualification Exam Reactor Operator Re-Qualification Revision No.

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NSC-45 OPERATOR REQUALIFICATION PROGRAM CHECKSHEET License Level: SRO -;::::===-.:..R:..:O:....:====-.

Name:

Complete 4 hours4.62963e-5 days <br />0.00111 hours <br />6.613757e-6 weeks <br />1.522e-6 months <br /> of RO or SRO duties each quarter Complete 1 reactor start-up and 1 reactor shutdown each quarter Review changes to Facility License, Tech Specs, Operating Procedures, Emergency Procedures, Facility Design Changes, NRC Notices, and other related material.

Complete yearly operational re-qual exam Complete 2 year written re-qual exam Complete biennial medical evaluation Renew NRC. Operator License every 6 years First Quarter Date:

Date:

Date:

Date:

Second Quarter Year' Third Quarter Fourth Quarter R~actor Operator Re-Qualification Revision No.

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