ML20003C248
| ML20003C248 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Comanche Peak  |
| Issue date: | 02/09/1981 |
| From: | Seyfrit K NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | Gary R TEXAS UTILITIES ELECTRIC CO. (TU ELECTRIC) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8102270337 | |
| Download: ML20003C248 (1) | |
Text
p UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION D/.
8 REGION IV 3 J' i k
8 611 RYAN Pt.AZA DRIVE. SUITE 1000 ARLINGTON. TEXAS 76011 February 9, 1981 In Reply Refer To:
RIV
- I' Occket Nos.
50-445/IE Circular No. 81-02 50-446/IE Circular No. 81-02 M
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ATTN: Mr. R. J. Gary, Executive Vice 4
President and General Manager 2001 Bryan Tower As Dallas, Texas 75201 y
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Gentlemen:
The enclosed IE Circular 81-02 is forwarded for your information. A copy of this circular is also being mailed directly to each licensed reactor cperator and senior reactor operator. No written resconse is required.
If there are any questions related to your understanding of tne reccamendeo actions, please contact this office.
Sincerely darllV.Seyfrit
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Direc+4r
Enclosures:
1.
IE Circular Nc. 81-02 2.
List of Recently Issued IE Circulars
$ 1022'7 0
i SSINS No..
6830 Accession No.
8008220282 UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT WASHINGTON, D.C.
20555 IE Circular No. 81-02 February 9, 1981 Page 1 of 4 PERFOR'IANCE OF NRC-LICENSED INDIVIDUALS WHILE ON OUTY Descriotion 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.
Furthermore, 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 safoty 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 ntclear power plant staff.
i Factors making up this professional attitude in'lude knowledge of all aspects of plant status by licensed control rcom operattes, maintaining an orderly and clean vorking 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 e ents 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 througnout the' facility.
~1.
All on-cuty 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.
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IEC 81-02 February 9, 1981 Page 2 of 4 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 waten stations must be prohibited (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 licen3ed 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 anc are provided for your information:
1.
Only licensed operators are pertitted 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)).
IEC 81-02 February 9, 1981 Page 3 of 4 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 operatar licensad in accordance with Part 55 (10 CFR 50.54(j)).
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 applican 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 Lnsafe (Regulatory Guide 1.114.B).
NRC policy regarding responsibility for safe operation of NRC ticensed facilities as stated in IE Information' Notice 79-20, Revision 1, continues to be as follows:
1.
"The facility licensee is respons1u 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 are responsiole for taking timely and proper actions that will not 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~pcwer 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 licenseo personnel and specify
-types of activities that are prohibited while licensed personnel are on duty.
These administrative controls should be considered for applicability to other plant personnel whose actions, while on duty, may affect plant safety or the
i 1
e IEC 81-02 i
February 9, 1981 Page 4 of 4 1
orderly conduct of facility operation.
Licensees should assure dissemination i-of these administrative requirements to affected personnel."
It is also requested that licensees he.ve their licensed personnel review tnis Circular and IE Information Notice 79-20, Revision 1, as well as Regulatory Guide 1.114.
No written _ response to thi_s Circular is required.
If you require additional
' information regarding this matter, contact the Director of the appropriate NRC Regional Office.
d
- A copy of this Circular was mailed directly to each licensed reactor operator and senior reactor operator.
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IE Circular No. 81-02 February 9, 1981 RECENTLY ISSUED IE CIRCULARS Circular Subject Date Issued To No.
Issued 80-18 10 CFR 50.59 Safety 8/22/80 All power reactor facilities Evaluations for Changes tc with an Operating License (OL)
Radioactive Waste or a Construction Permit (CP)
Treatment Systems 80-19 Noncompliance with 8/26/80 All medical licensees License Requirements for Medical Licensees 80-20 Changes in Safe-Slab 8/21/80 All Part 50 and Part 70 Dimensions fuel facility licensees 80-21 Regulation of Refueling 9/10/80 All holders of a power reactor Crews Operating License (0L) or 80-22 Confirmation of employee 10/2/80 All holders of a power reactor qualifications Operating License (OL)or Construction Permit (CP),
architect-engineering companies and nuclear steam system suppliers 80-23 Potential Defects in 10/31/80 All power reactor facilities Beloit Power Systems with Operating License (OL)
Emergency Generators or Construction Permit (CP) 80-24 AECL Teletherapy Unit 12/2/80 All teletherapy licensees Malfunction 181-01 Design Problems Involving 1/23/81 All power reactor Indicating Pushbutton facilities with an Switches Manufactured by Operating Licenses (OL)
Honeywell Incorporated or Construction Permit (CP)
Enclosure