ML17164B056
| ML17164B056 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Susquehanna  |
| Issue date: | 05/24/1999 |
| From: | Blough A NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | Byram R PENNSYLVANIA POWER & LIGHT CO. |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9906020127 | |
| Download: ML17164B056 (9) | |
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CATEGORY 2 +
REGULATORY INFORMATION DISTR1BUTION SYSTEM (RIDS)
ACCESSION NBR:9906020127 DOC.DATE: 99/05/24 NOTARIZED: NO DOCKET I FACIL:50-387 Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Unit 1, Pennsylva 05000387 50-388 Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Unit 2, Pennsylva 05000388 AUTH.NAME.
AUTHOR AFFILIATION BLOUGH,A.R.
Region 1 (Post 820201)
RECIP.NAME RECIPIENT AFFILIATION BYRAM,R.G.
Pennsylvania Power 6, Light Co.
SUBJECT:
Discusses OI investigation 1-1998-016 to determine if former PP&L engineering dept manager terminated for raising safety concerns.OZ did not substantiate that termination result of individual having raised safety concerns. Synopsis encl.
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May 24, 1999 Mr. Robert G. Byram Senior Vice President - Nuclear PP8L, INC.
Susquehanna Steam Electric Station 2 North Ninth Street Allentown, Pennsylvania 18101
SUBJECT:
OFFICE OF INVESTIGATIONS(OI) REPORT NO. 1-1998-016 (DEPARTMENTOF LABOR (DOL) CASE NO. 3-0110-98-044)
Dear Mr. Byram:
On March 25, 1998, the NRC's Office of Investigations (Ol) initiated an investigation to determine ifa former PP8L engineering department manager was terminated from the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station for raising safety concerns.
The Ol investigation, documented in Ol Report No. 1-1998-016, was completed on April9, 1999.
Based on the evidence developed during the investigation, Ol did not substantiate that the termination was the result of the individual having raised safety concerns while a PP8L employee.
On August 7, 1998, the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) Occupational Safety 8 Health Administration (OSHA) Region III office in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, received a complaint on this matter filed by the former PP8L employee.
On November 18, 1998, the OSHA Regional Supervisor issued a decision on this case and concluded that "The individual was an employee who engaged in protected activity within the scope of the Act, and that discrimination as defined and prohibited by the statute was a factor in the actions which comprise the complaint." PP8L subsequently appealed the decision and action is currently pending before a DOL Administrative Law Judge.
Afterthe Administrative Law Judge has issued a decision, the NRC willdetermine whether any NRC enforcement action is warranted.
A copy of the synopsis of the Ol investigation report is enclosed.
In addition, the NRC has received a request from a member of Congress for the redacted report and exhibits. Therefore, the NRC Office of Investigations willprovide the parties involved in the DOL hearing and the Congressman, under separate cover, a copy of the requested documents.
While the Ol investigation did not substantiate that the individual was discharged for raising safety concerns, the testimony developed during the investigation indicated that an environment existed within the PP8L organization that may have detracted from a safety conscious work environment.
Specifically, a perception may have existed that station management was not receptive to being questioned in an open forum. Although the weight of the testimorIy indicated that recognized safety issues were aggressively pursued by station management, any perceived barriers to raising concerns must be addressed.
9906020i27 O'F0524 PDR ADOCK 05000387 G
Mr. Robert Byram 2
Through ongoing communications with PP8 L management and through recent inspection activities, the NRC is aware that PPSL has initiated a number of actions designed to improve the safety conscious work environment at the station. These actions, which were summarized in your letter to us dated January 21, 1999, included focused communications with your staff, training of both staff and management, and periodic surveys to assess progress.
Because of the importance of a safety conscious work environment, we woul'd like to meet with you to hear about your progress and any additional planned actions.
This discussion could be accomplished at the meeting to discuss the results of our Plant Performance Review which is currently scheduled for July 14, 1999.
Ifthis is not convenient, please contact Mr. Curtis Cowgill at (610) 337-5233 to arrange an alternate time and date for such a meeting.
Sincerely, ORIGlNALSIGNED BY:
A. Randolph Blough, Director Division of Reactor Projects-Docket Nos.
50-387;50-388
Enclosure:
Ol Synopsis cc w/encl:
R. F. Saunders, Vice President - Nuclear Site Operations G. T. Jones, Vice President - Nuclear Engineering and Support G. Kuczynski, General Manager - SSES T. J. Harpster, Manager, Nuclear Licensing G. D. Miller, General Manager - Nuclear Engineering R. R. Wehry, Nuclear Licensing - SSES P. Nederostek, Manager, Nuclear Security - SSES A. M. Male, Manager, Nuclear Assurance Services H. D. Woodeshick, Special Assistant to the President R. W. Osburne, Vice President, Supply 8 Engineering Allegheny Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
UI
Mr. Robert Byram Distribution w/encl:
Region I Docket Room (with concurrences)
Nuclear Safety Information Center (NSIC)
NRC Resident inspector PUBLIC H. Miller, RA/J. Wiggins, DRA C. Cowgill, DRP D. Florek, DRP C. O'Daniell, DRP B. Letts, Ol, Rl D. Holody, EO, Rl T. Walker, ORA J. Lieberman, OE D. Dambly, OGC Distribution w/encl:
ta E-Mail M. Tschiltz, OEDO E. Adensam, PDI, NRR V. Nerses, Project Manager, NRR R. Correia, NRR D. Holody, EO, Rl J. Lieberman, OE D. Dambly, OGC inspection Program Branch, NRR (IPAS)
DOCDESK DOCUMENT NAME: A'Asu98569.wpd To receive a copy of this document, tndlcate In the box: "C" = Cop without attachment/enctosure "E"
Cop w'ttach nV closure "N"~ No copy OFFICE Rl/DRP NAME CJCowgt DATE 05/1 9/99 EO/0RA, DHolody 05
/99 Rl/Ol JLi an BLett 054 99 05/
99 OFFICIALRECORD COPY R 0 BF eli 05 9
I/DRP RCrlenjak 4 ~
05/gy/99
I 1
SYNOPSIS This investigation was initiated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Office of Investigations (Oi), Region I(Ri) on March 25, 1998, to determine whether a manager at the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station (SSES), Pennsylvania Power and Light (PP8cL), was discriminated against for raising safety concerns.
Based on the evidence developed during this investigation, OI did not substantiate that the termination'of the manager's employment by PP8cL was as a result ofthe manager having raised safety concerns while a PPAL employee.
Case No. 1-1998-016
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