ML19341C181

Forwards IE Circular 81-02, Performance of NRC-Licensed Individuals While on Duty. No Written Response Required

ML19341C181
Person / Time
Site:	Perkins, Cherokee
Issue date:	02/09/1981
From:	James O'Reilly NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II)
To:	Dail L DUKE POWER CO.
References
NUDOCS 8103020242
Download: ML19341C181 (1)

Text

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA 303o3 FEB 9 1981 In Reply Refer To:

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Duke Power Company ATTN:

L. C. Dail, Vi.e President Design Engineering A

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Charlotte, NC 28242 Gentlemen:

The enclosed circular 81-02 is forwarded for your information. A copy of this circular is also being mailed directly to each licensed reactor operator and senior reactor operator. No written response is required. If there are any questions related to your understanding of the recommended actions, please contact this office.

Sincerely,

_R.e a. o o_.

ames P. O'Reilly l

' rector

Enclosures:

1.

IE Circular No. 81-02 l

2.

List of Recently Issued l

IE Circulars cc w/ encl:

J. T. Moore, Project Manager slo 3020A C

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6830 Accession No.:

8008220282 UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT WASHINGTON, D.C.

20555 Februa ry 9, 1981 IE Circular No. 81-02:

PERFORMANCE OF NRC-LICENSED INDIVIDUALS WHILE ON DUTY Description of Circumstances:

Recently, an NRC inspector observed two licensed reactor operators who appeared to be asleep while on duty in the control room. A subsequent NRC investigation into the matter concluded that the operators were not fully attentive to their licensed duties of monitoring reactor conditions, which is a serious matter of safety significance. Furthe rmo re, the investigation concluded that management controls were inadequate to assure the alertness of licensed operators while on duty. Enforcement action was taken after it was determined that attentive operators were not present at the controls as required by 10 CFR 50.54(k).

Discussion:

NRC believes that a relationship exists between the professional attitude of a nuclear plant's operating and management personnel and the degree to which the health and safety of the public is protected.

NRC believes that professional attitude is reflected in high standards of performance including pride in the facility. as demonstrated by the nuclear power plant staff.

Factors making up this professional attitude include knowledge of all aspects of plant status by licensed control room operators, maintaining an orderly and clean working environment, aggressiveness of the operating staff to prevent operational problems, and correcting observed deficiencies.

NRC believes that clarification of its position on this subject is necessary because several recent events involving licensed operators indicate a lack of a professional attitude at some nuclear power plants.

The following conditions and practices are among those the NRC believes to be necessary for the maintenance of a professional atmosphere in the control room and throughout the facility.

1.

All on-duty NRC-licensed operators and operating supervisors must be aware of and responsible for the plant status at all times. This includes supervisors being responsible for the performance of all personnel assigned to their shift who could affect plant safety, regardless of specialty affiliation.

Knowledge of the plant's status must be assured during -shift changes by a formal watch turnover and relief.

IEC 81-02 February 9, 1981 Page 2 of 3 2.

All on-duty NRC-licensed operators must be alert, remain within their immediate areas of responsibility until properly relieved, and be particularly attentive to the instrumentation and controls located within these areas at all times.

3.

Potentially distracting activities in the control room and other watch stations must be prohibites! (for example:

radios, TV, alcohol use or drug abuse, games, horseplay, hobbies, and reading that is not directly job related).

4.

Control room access must-be limited to those persons on official business only and loitering in this area must be prohibited.

5.

All necessary plant-related technical / administrative control room business must be conducted at a location and in such a manner that neither licensed control room operator attentiveness nor the professional atmosphere will be compromised. This includes activities associated with the use of special eating and training facilities for on-shift personnel.

Additional Information:

NRC inspectors will be particularly mindful of those conditions and practices described above during future inspections of licensed nuclear facilities.

For more specific information, you are referred to the following NRC documents:

1.

10~CFR 50, " Domestic ~ Licensing of Production and Utilization Facilities,"

Paragraph 50.54 2.

10 CFR 55, " Operators' Licenses," Paragraph 55.31 and 55.40 3.

Regulatory Guide 1.114, " Guidance on Being Operator at the Controls of a Nuclear Power Plant" 4.

IE-Information Notice 79-20, Revision 1, "NRC Enforcement Policy -

-NRC-Licensed Individuals" 5.

Letter from D. G. Eisenhut, NRC, to'All Licensees and Applicants, dated July 31, 1980,

Subject:

Interim Criteria for Shift Staffing The following excerpts are taken from some of these documents and are provided for your information:

1.

Only licensed operators are permitted to manipulate the controls that.directly affect the reactivity or power level of a reactor

.[10 CFR 50.54(i)].

2.

Licensed operators are_ required to be present at the controls at all times during the' operation of the facility [10 CFR 50.54(k)].

3. : Operation of mechanisms and. apparatus other than controls that may indirectly affect!the power level or reactivity of a reactor shall only.be accomplished with the knowledge and consent of an operator licensed in'accordance with Part 55 [10 CFR 50.54(j)].

IEC 81-02 February 9, 1981 Page 3 of 3 4.

The NRC-licensed individual shall observe all applicable rules, regulations and orders of the Commission, whether or not stated in the license [10 CFR 55.31(d)].

5.

The operating test, to the extent applicable to the facility, requires the applicant to demonstrate an understanding of:

The necessity for a careful approach to the responsibility associated with the safe operation of the facility

[10 CFR 55.23(1)].

6.

In order for the operator at the controls of a nuclear power plant to be able to, carry out these and other responsibilities in a timely fashion, he must give his attention to the condition of the plant at all times. He must be alert to ensure that the plant is operating safely and must be capable of taking action to prevent any progress toward a condition that might be unsafe (Regulatory Guide 1.114.B).

NRC policy regarding responsibility for safe operation of NRC-licensed facilities as stated in IE Information Notice 79-20, Revision 1, continues to be as follows:

1.

"The facility licensee is responsible for assuring that the facility is operated safely and within the requirements of the license, technical specifications, rules, regulations, and Orders of the NRC, and for the actions of their on-duty employees while on site."

2.

"NRC-licensed individuals cre responsible for taking timely and proper actions that will act create or cause a hazard to ' safe operation of the facility' (i.e., actions or activities, including failure to take

. action, related to the facility that could have an adverse effect on the health and safety of the public, plant workers, or the individuals)."

Recommended Action for Licensee's Consideration:

Each power reactor licensee should review and revise, as necessary, their administrative controls regarding operator performance to ensure the guidance contained or referenced herein is incorporated. -These administrative controls should prescribe performance requirements for licensed personnel and specify types of activities that are prohibited while licensed personnel are on duty.

These administrative controls should be considered far applicability to other plant personnel whose actions, while on duty, may affect plant safety or the orderly conduct of facility operation.

Licensees should assure dissemination of these administrative requirements to affected personnel.* It is also requested that licensees have their licensed personnel review this Circular and IE Information Notice 79-20, Revision 1, as well as Regulatory Guide 1.114.

No written response to this Circular is required.

If you require additional information regarding this matter, contact the Director of the appropriate NRC Regional Office.

• A copy of this Circular was mailed directly to each' licensed reactor operator and senior reactor operator.

}

IEC 81-02 February 9,1981 RECENTLY ISSUED IE CIRCULARS Circular Date of No.

Subject Issue Issued to 81-02 Performance of NRC-Licensed 2/9/81 All holders of an OL Individuals While on Duty or CP and research and test reactor facilities 81-01 Design Problems Involving 1/23/81 All power reactor Indicating Pushbutton facilities with Switches Manufactured by an OL or CP Honeywell Incorporated 80-25 Case Histories of 12/5/80 All radiography Radiography Events licensees 80-24 AECL Teletherapy Unit 12/2/80 All teletherapy Malfunction licensees 80-23 Potential Defects in Beloit 10/31/80 All power reactor Power Systems Emergency facilities with Generators OL or a CP 80-22 Confirmation of Employee 10/2/80 All holders of a Qualifications power reactor OL or CP architect-engineering companies and nuclear steam system suppliers 80-21 Regulation of Refueling 9/10/80 All holders of a Crews power reactor OL or CP 80-20 Changes in Safe-Slab Tank 8/21/80 All Part 50 and Part Dimensions 70 fuel facility licensees 80-19 Noncompliance with 8/26/80 All medical licensees License Requirements for Medical Licensees 80-18 10 CFR 50.59 Safety 8/22/80 All power reactor Evaluations for Changes to facilities with an Radioactive Waste Treatment OL or CP Systems 80-17 Fuel Pin Damage Due to Water 7/23/80 All holders of PWR Jet from Baffle Plate Corner OLs and PWR cps OL = Operating Licenses CP = Construction Permit l