ML18068A494

Submits Response to Violations Noted in Cover Ltr of Insp Rept 50-255/98-04.Corrective Actions:Training & Operations Depts Have Created Number of Initiatives to Improve Conduct of Operations at Palisades

ML18068A494
Person / Time
Site:	Palisades
Issue date:	11/05/1998
From:	Chatfield E CONSUMERS ENERGY CO. (FORMERLY CONSUMERS POWER CO.)
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
References
50-255-98-04, 50-255-98-4, NUDOCS 9811120126
Download: ML18068A494 (2)

Text

• A CMS Energy Company Palisades Nuclear Plant 27780 Blue Star Memorial Highway Covert. Ml 49043 Tel: (616) 764-2839 Fax: (616) 764-2100 Ernest Chatfield Ma.nager, Training November 5, 1998 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555 DOCKET 50-255 - LICENSE DPR PALISADES PLANT REPLY TO CONCERNS DISCUSSED IN THE COVER LETTER OF INSPECTION REPORT 50-255/98004(DRS)

The cover letter of NRC Inspection Report 50-255/98004 expressed concern with our Training Staffs apparent lack of commitment toward reinforcing operator performan~

standards. Additionally, the failure of operator communications to meet established expectations during*dynamic simulator scenarios was identified.

The Palisades Training and Operations Departments have reviewed these observations and agree that further improvement is warranted. The Palisades Operations t/

1 Department, along with the Training Department, has been committed to continually i)

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• improving the performance of our licensed operators. Over the past several years, the L Training and Operations Departments have created a number of initiatives to improve the conduct of operations at Palisades. As a result of these efforts, substantial r1 /

improvements have been noted in all performance areas, including communications, j (Jr/) /

self-checking, alarm response and management of reactivity manipulations. / /

Crew communications and conduct of operations standards are routinely evaluated during *all simulator-performance evaluations. -They have not, however, been a focus of discussion during annual performance examinations unless they were detrimental to crew performance. An expectation has been established to ensure that crew communications and conduct of operations standards are commented upon by evaluators during annual simulator examinations. In addition, Operations and Training management have reinforced the expectation that communications and conduct of 9811120126 981105 PDR ADOCK 05000255 G PDR

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_operations standards remain an area of focus and emphasis for simulator instructors while critiquing simulator training scenarios. Operations management has reinforced their expectations-regarding adherence to the communications and conduct of operations standards with the Shift Supervisors. We are continuing to work on improving the consistency of adherence to conduct of operations standards, including communications, both during training and on-the-job performance.

Should you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact my office.

~C&IJ/

Ernest Chatfield Manager, Training CC Administrator, Region Ill, USNRC Project Manager, NRR, USNRC NRC Resident Inspector - Palisades