ML19259B575
| ML19259B575 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Pilgrim |
| Issue date: | 02/27/1979 |
| From: | Gossick L NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | Durkin J SENATE |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19259B576 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7903060079 | |
| Download: ML19259B575 (2) | |
Text
7een UNITED STATES y *)* )
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMIS0lON j
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Docket No. 50-293 The lionorable John A. Durkin United States Senate Washington, D.C.
20510
Dear Senator Durkin:
Chairman IIendrie has asked me to respond to your letter of February 2, 1979, inquiring about possible recourse your constituent Ralph Fitts may have through the Federal Government with respect to an incident of radia-tion exposure. Mr. Fitts received a radiation dose of 3.56 rems on November 23, 1977 wh'le working for a contracter at Ecston Edison Company's Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station. This exposure exceeded the maximum occupational exposure cf 3.0 rems per calendar quarter permitted by NRC regulations.
The event was investigated by the Commission's Office of Inspection and Enforcement Civil penalties totalling $16,000 were assessed against Boston Edison Company for violations of NRC regulations which were identified during the investigation. Boston Edison Company did not ron-test the civil penalty. In addition, the Company undertook to implement improvements to its Radiation Protection Program to prevent the rentrrence of such personnel overexposures. Such corrective action is required by the Commission whenever a notice of violation is issued to a licensee. Iam
. enclosing for your information a copy of our report of investigation, the Notice of Violation; and the Company's response.
We have not been advised by Mr. Fitts, either during the investigation or afterward, that he is suffering any health effects which might possibly be attributed to his overexposure. It is our understanding that Mr. Fitts' principal concern is that Boston Edison Company terminated his employment immediately after the event since he could not continue to work in radiation areas during the remainder of the calendar quarter. Such action by the Company does not violate any regulations of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
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The 11 norable John A. Durkin The Ituclear Ecgulatory Commission conducts a vigorous inspection and enforcement program to protect the health and safety of the public and workers in licensed auclear facilities, as illustrated by the imposition of the $'.6,000 civil penahy in this case. It remains, however, the responsi-bility of the licensee, rt,ther than the Federal Government, to prevent inciden* such as the unfortunate radiation exposure suffered by Mr. Fitts.
Thus, in response to your specific inquiry, I am unaware of any recourse "through the Federal Government" which Mr. Fitts may have with respect to this radiation e.posure incident. I do note, however, that K'r. Fitts has commenced a cort suit against Boston Edison Company in the state courts of Massachusetts.
If I can be of further assistance in connection with this mattcr, please advise me.
Sincerely, ygnn T <
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Lee V. Gossich Executive Director foe Operations Encloaures:
As stated 20/.5 II2
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