ML20002A849
| ML20002A849 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Fort Saint Vrain  |
| Issue date: | 10/08/1980 |
| From: | Seyfrit K NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | Millen C PUBLIC SERVICE CO. OF COLORADO |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20002A850 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8011210714 | |
| Download: ML20002A849 (3) | |
See also: IR 05000267/1980013
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In Reply Refer To:
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Docket No.
50-267/80-13
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Public Service Company of Colorado
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Mr. C. K. Millen
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Senior Vice President
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P. O. Box 840
Denver, Colorado
80201
Gentlemen:
Subject:
Health Physics Appraisal
The NRC has identified a need for licensees to strengthen the health physics
programs at nuclear power plants and has undertaken a significant effort to
assure that action is taken-in this. regard. As a first step in this effort,
the Office of Inspection and Enforcement is conducting special team appraisals
of the health physics programs, including the health physics aspects of radio-
active waste management and onsite emergency preparedness, at all operating
power reactor sites. The objectives of these appraisals are to evaluate da
overall adequacy and effectiveness of the total health physics program at
each site and to identify areas of weakness that need to be strengthened. We
will use the findings from these apprais. tis as a basis not only for requesting
individual licensee action to correct deficiencies and effect improvements but
also for effecting improvements in NRC requirements and guidance.
This effort
was identified to you in a letter dated January 22, 1980, from Mr. Victor Stello,
Jr., Director, NRC Office of Inspection and Enforcement.
During the period of June 16-27, 1980, the NRC conducted the special appraisal
of the health physics program ~at the Ft. St. Vrain Nuclear Generating Station.
Areas examined during this appraisal are described in the enclosed report
(50-267/80-13). . Within these areas, the appraisal team reviewed selected
procedures and representatives records, observed work practices, and inter-
viewed personnel.
It is requested that you carefully review the findings of
this report for consideration in effecting improvements to your health physics
program. The findings of the appraisal at Ft. St. Vrain indicate that although
your overall health physics program is adequate for present operations, several
significant weakne aes exist. These include the following:
(1)
Personnel selection, qualification and training criteria for health
physics personnel have not been established to meet requirements.
(2)
The Radiation Protection Manager function does not appear to be sufficiently
independent of operations.
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tublic Service Company of Colorado
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(3) The'im ar .i_ exposure control program is deficient in defining airborne
-radioa%;.vity areas and internal dosimetry procedures.
(4)
Surveys for airborne radioactivity and personnel contamination are less
than adequate.
-(5) Radiation protection instrtments and process and area monitors are deficient
in numbers and/or testing and calibration.
These findings are discussed in more detail in Appendix A, "Significant Appraisal
Findings." We recognize that an explicit regulatory requirement pertaining to-
each significant weakness identified in Appendix A may not currently exist.
However, to determine whether adequate protection will be provided for the
health and safety of workers.and the public, you are requested to submit a
written statement within twenty (20) days of your receipt of this letter, des-
cribing your corrective' action for each significant weakness identified in
Appendix A including:
(1) steps which have been taken; (2)
steps which will
be taken; and (3) a schedule for completion of action.
This request is made
pursuant to Section 50.54(f) of Part 50, Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations.
During this appraisal, it was also found that one of your activities does not
appear to have been conducted in full compliance with NRC requirements as set
forth in the Notice of Violation enclosed herewith as Appendix B.
The item of
noncompliance in-Appendix B has been categorized according to the levels of
severity described in our Criteria for Enforcement Action dated December 31,-1974.
Section 2.201 of Part 2, Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, requires you to
submit to this office, within twenty (20) days of your recetpt of this notice,
a written statement or explanation in reply including:
(1) corrective steps
which have been taken by you and the results achieved; (2) corrective steps
which will be.taken to avoid further items of noncompliance; and (3) the date
when full compliance will be achieved.
You should be aware that the next step in the NRC effort to strengthen health
physics programs at nuclear power plants will be the imposition of a require-
ment by the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) that ecch licensee
develop, submit to ti
NRC for approval, and implement a Radiation Protection
Plan.
Each licensee will be expected to include in the Radiation Protection
-Plan sufficient measures to provide lasting corrective action for significant
weaknesses identified during the special appraisal of the current health'
physics program. Guidance foi the development of this plan will incorporate
pertinent findings from the special appraisals and will be issued by NRR in
the fall of this year.
-In accordance with Section 2.790 of the NRC's " Rules of Practice," Part 2, Title
10, Code of Federal Regulations, a copy of this letter and the enclosurcs will
be placed in the NRC's Public' Document Room.
If this material contains any
information that you believe to be proprietary, it is necessary that you make
,
a written application within 20 days to this office to withhold su'ch informa-
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tion _from public. disclosure.
Any such application must be accompanied by an
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Public Service Company of Colorado
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affidavit executed by the owner of the'information, which identifies the
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document or part sought to be withheld, cuul which contains a statement of
reasons which~ addresses with specificity the items which will be considered
.by'the Commission as listed in Subparagraph (B) (4) of Section.2.790.
The
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information-sought-to be withheld shall be incorporated as far as possible.
into'a separate part of.the affidavit. . If we do nct hear from you in this
regard.within the specified period, this letter.and the enclosures will be
-placed in the-Public Document Room.
Should you-have any questions concerning this inspection, we will be pleased
to discuss them with you.
Sincerely,
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40u:1 V. Seyfrit
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Director
Enclosures
1.
Appendix A, Significant Appraisal
Findings
2.
Appendix B, Notice of Violation
3.
Office of Inspection and Enforcement
Report No. 50-267/80-13.
cc w/ enclosures:
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D. W..Warembourg, Nuclear Production Manager
Fort St. Vrain Muclear Station
P. O. Box 368
Platteville, Colorado 80601
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L. Brey, Manager, Quality Assurance
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