ML18306A489

Response to Apparent Violation in NRC Investigation Report 4-2017-030

ML18306A489
Person / Time
Site:	Comanche Peak
Issue date:	10/25/2018
From:	Welch B - No Known Affiliation
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
4-2017-030, IA-18-031
Download: ML18306A489 (1)

Text

From: Ben Welch Date: 25 October 2018 Attn: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555-0001 Subj: Response to Apparent Violation NRC Investigation Report 4-2017-030 IA-18-031 To Whom It May Concern, I am writing this letter to cover the events that transpired in 2017 at Comanche Peak which led to my termination and this investigation.

While still performing duties as a Licensed Operator at Comanche Peak I made a procedural error which led to unexpectedly moving water from one tank to another. The reason for the error was performing multiple tasks and procedures simultaneously and not relying on my team members for assistance. Though the error was unintentional, it could have been avoided had I used the human performance tools available to me.

Following the error, a conversation was had between the Unit Supervisor and another Licensed Operator which led to them thinking a valve had not operated properly. Due to previous negative personal experiences at Comanche Peak and a fear of termination, I did not correct the other Licensed Operators and admit my fault. I then made the poor decision to write a Condition Report requesting that Maintenance investigate the reason for the valve's malfunction. Within 48 hours5.555556e-4 days <br />0.0133 hours <br />7.936508e-5 weeks <br />1.8264e-5 months <br /> of the incident, I recognized my personal need to set the record straight and admit my guilt regardless of the consequences.

I came in to work on my day off and admitted to the Unit Supervisor and the Director of Shift Operations the reason for the incident, the reasons I did not immediately come forward, and the reasons that I needed to set the record straight.

Following the admission of guilt, I was removed from all Licensed Operator duties and sent to work for the Procedures Department. I was then terminated a few weeks later despite my coming forward. Several months later I met with the investigator from the NRC where I fully cooperated by admitting to my procedural error, my reasons for not immediately coming forward, my fault in submitting the Condition Report, and my desire to put the whole series of events behind me.

Ultimately, I would like this letter to convey that the procedural error was unintentional, that I have and will continue to fully cooperate with the NRC and Comanche Peak, and that I truly regret not immediately coming forward with the truth.

Sincerely, Ben Welch