ML17229A827
| ML17229A827 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Saint Lucie  |
| Issue date: | 07/30/1998 |
| From: | NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML17229A826 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9808100040 | |
| Download: ML17229A827 (3) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 SAFETY E U
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D D 5 -389 1,0 By fetter dated May 27, 1998, Florida Power and Light (the licensee) submitted a request for changes to the St. Lucie Plant, Units 1 and 2, Technical Specifications (TS). The requested changes would allow the use of 12-hour shifts by deleting the discussion of specific work hours (currently 8 hours9.259259e-5 days <br />0.00222 hours <br />1.322751e-5 weeks <br />3.044e-6 months <br />) from the administrative section of TS 6.2.2.f. Current limits on the use of overtime in the administrative section of the TS are retained.
In the submittal the licensee stated that it desired to change to the 12-hour shift to reduce the number of shiff-to-shiffturnovers and reduce the potential for miscommunication and errors.
The staff notes that several other facilities'Ss allow the use. of 12-hour operating shifts.
The proposed revisions in the TS Section 6.2.2.f, "Unit Staff," for both Units 1 and 2 include deleting a sentence that states, The objective shall be to have operating personnel work a normal 8-hour day, 40-hour week while the plant is operating.
The proposed revision also inserts the necessary editorial changes and the following sentence to Section 6.2.2.f, The administrative procedures shall include guidelines on working hours that ensure that [adequate shift coverage is maintained without routine heavy use of overtime] for individuals.
on February 11, 1982, the Nuclear Regulatory commission (NRG) published in the 2~de EII
~ei ~er (47 FR 7352) the "Policy on Factors Causing Fatigue of Operating Personnel at Nuclear Reactors."
On June 15, 1982, the NRC disseminated a revision to the policy by Generic Letter (GL) 82-12, "Nuclear Power Plant Staff Working Hours." GL 82-12
'P808100040 980730 PDR ADGCK 05000335 PDR recommended that licensees incorporate, in their administrative procedures, a policy on shift manning and overtime with the objective of preventing situations where fatigue could reduce the ability of operating personnel to keep the reactor in a safe condition. The staff has reviewed operating events at U.S. nuclear plants and has not been able attribute inadequate control of
'orking hours as contributing factors to these events and has therefore determined that control of working hours through administrative procedures provides reasonable assurance that personnel overtime willnot jeopardize safe plant operation.
Control of overtime through administrative procedures is consistent with Action Item I.A.1.2.2, "LimitOvertime," of NUREG-0737, "Clarification of TMI P'hree Mile Island] Action Plan Requirements," dated November 1980. Specific working hours are not required to be included in the TS under 10 CFR 50.36(c)(5), "Administrative Controls."
The NRC policy on working hours described in GL 82-12 is that licensees are to establish controls to ensure that personnel are not assigned to shift duties while in a fatigued condition that could significantly reduce their mental alertness or their decision making capability. The staff has previously approved 12-hour shifts at other U.S. nuclear power plants and has found no evidence of adverse effects on plant safety resulting from the use of such shifts, provided the overtime guidelines and controls are observed.
The GL further states that an adequate number of plant operating personnel should be employed to maintain adequate shift coverage without routine heavy use of overtime. These overtime guidelines include limits such as not permitting an individual to work more than 16 consecutive hours, allowing a break of'at least 8 hours9.259259e-5 days <br />0.00222 hours <br />1.322751e-5 weeks <br />3.044e-6 months <br /> between work periods, and working no more than 72 hours8.333333e-4 days <br />0.02 hours <br />1.190476e-4 weeks <br />2.7396e-5 months <br /> in a 7-day period. The limits on the use of overtime are currently specified in the St. Lucie TS and are being retained.
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The staff concludes that the duration of the shift may be deleted from TS since the controls on overtime will be retained in TS to provide reasonable assurance that personnel are not assigned to shift duties while in a fatigued condition that could significantly reduce their mental alertness and decision making capability.
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Based upon a letter dated March 8, 1991, from the State of Florida to Deborah A. Miller, NRC, the State of Florida has no comments.
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SIDERA IO The amendments change requiiements with respect to administrative procedures or requirements.
Accordingly, these amendments meet the eligibilitycriteria for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(10).
Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b) no environmental impact staterrient or environmental assessment need be prepared in connection with the issuance of these amendments.
6.0 GODNLU ION The Commission has concluded, based on the considerations discussed above, that, (1) there is reasonable assurance that the health and safety of the public willnot be endangered by operation in the proposed manner, (2) such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commission's regulations, and (3) the issuance of the amendment willnot be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public.
Principal Contributor:.William Gleaves Dated:
July 30, 1998