ML18093A481
| ML18093A481 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Salem  |
| Issue date: | 10/28/1987 |
| From: | Miltenberger S Public Service Enterprise Group |
| To: | NRC OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION & RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (ARM) |
| References | |
| NLR-N87206, NUDOCS 8711030208 | |
| Download: ML18093A481 (4) | |
Text
Public Service Electric and Gas Company Steven E. Miltenberger Vice President -
Public Service Electric and Gas Company P.O. Box 236, Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038 609 339-4199 Nuclear Operations October 28, 1987 NLR-N87206 United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555 Gentlemen:
SALEM LICENSED OPERATOR REQUALIFICATION EXAMINATION REPORT RESPONSE SALEM GENERATING STATION UNIT NOS. 1 AND 2 DOCKET NO. 50-272/50-311 Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) hereby submits its response to your letter dated August 25, 1987, "Requalification Program Evaluation Report Nos. 50-272/87-21 (OL) and 50-311/87-26 (OL)."
An Examination Review Team was formed to determine the root cause of the examination failures.
The findings of the review team along with the appropriate corrective actions are included in the attachment.
PSE&G believes the short and long term corrective actions will significantly improve both operator training and operator performance.
This, coupled with a more challenging and broader operator knowledge requirement, should ensure successful completion in all future requalification exams.
Should you have any questions concerning this response, please contact us.
Sincerely, fi~5~
Attachment
. S71103020B *a7t02B.
.
- PDR A DOCK 05000272 V
Document Control Desk C
Mr. E. c. Wenzinger, Chief Reactor Projects Branch No. 2 USNRC Region I Mr. D. C. Fischer 2
USNRC Licensing Project Manager Mr. T. J. Kenny USNRC Senior Resident Inspector Mr. w. T. Russell, Administrator USNRC Reg ion I Mr. D. M. Scott, Chief Bureau of Nuclear Engineering Department of Environmental Protection 380 Scotch Road Trenton, NJ 08628 10-28-87
ATTACHMENT ROOT CAUSE FOR THE HIGH FAILURE RATE No single root cause for the high failure rate could be determined: however, three diverse groups of failures were revealed.
- 1.
Two of the Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) failures resulted from a single action taken during the operational exam.
One SRO was acting as Shift Supervisor and the other as the desk operator.
While in a Dropped Rod scenario, the desk operator reset the negative flux rate trip at the Shift Supervisor's command prior to being directed to do so by procedure.
In review it was determined that lack of familiarity with the procedure, trying to move too rapidly through the procedure and poor judgement in not evaluating the potential consequences of this action all contributed to this operational error.
- 2.
One staff SRO and one staff Reactor Operator (RO) who were members of the same team performed unsatisfactorily on the simulator portion of the operational examination.
These failures were attributed to insufficient experience as part of the control room functional team.
In reviewing simulator training it was found that staff license simulator training time was unintentionally reduced, to increase shift simulator training time.
Thus, a degradation in staff license skills and performance had resulted.
- 3.
Two SROs and one RO failed one or more sections of the written examination.
These failures were not specifically related: however, a need for ensuring that a broader technical knowledge is maintained by all operators at all times was identified.
SHORT TERM CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
- 1.
All individual exam failures have been remediated in accordance with Training Procedures (TP)-305, "Licensed Operator Requalification."
All remedial training and re-examination is complete.
We consider this item closed.
- 2.
The Operations Department has revised Operations Directive (OD-15) to describe the proper use of Operations Department procedures.
This will standardize the use of procedures and ensure that proper procedural sequence is followed.
We consider this item closed.
- 3.
An increased emphasis on understanding the basis for procedural steps, cautions and continuous actions has been incorporated into the Requalif ication Program.
This will lead to a better overall understanding of the procedures and ensure a more strict compliance to them.
We consider this item closed.
- 4.
The two SROs involved in the Rod Drop scenario have been counseled by the Operations Department management concerning the proper use of procedures and strict adherence to them.
This item is considered closed.
- 5.
The detailed examination review revealed eleven topics needing increased emphasis during training.
These topics have been prioritized and incorporated into the 1987-88 Requalification Cycle.
We consider this item closed.
- 6.
A set of "generic requalification objectives" have been developed to describe the general areas of technical information for which a licensed operator is accountable to know, at all times, as part of the requalification process.
This should broaden the scope of licensed operator knowledge, enabling the operator to successfully complete all future Requalification exams.
We consider this item closed.
- 7.
The need for staff licenses has been re-evaluated.
As a result, several staff licenses have been terminated.
This will result in an increased focus on the specific training needs for both the remaining licensed staff individuals and the licensed shift personnel.
This will result in better overall exam performance in the future.
We consider this item closed.
LONG TERM CORRECTIVE ACTION
- 1.
A standard of performance governing the conduct of control room operators, including command and control functions during transient conditions, will be developed by December 31, 1987.
This standard will be incorporated in the Segment 4, 1987-88 Requalification Training Cycle.
- 2.
Senior Operations Department and other station line management will participate more of ten in the observation and critique of simulator training sessions.
- 3.
The Operations Training Group is currently reviewing NUREG-1122 K&A items to ensure all significant items are included in the Operation Training Program Learning Objectives.
- 4.
Requalification Examination difficulty is being increased by incorporating a significant number of questions requiring synthesis and analysis.
This process has been included in the current Requalification Cycle.
We consider this item closed.