ML20012C549

Responds to Violation Noted in Insp Rept 50-128/90-01 on 900110-12.Corrective Actions:Emergency Preparedness & Physical Security Designated as Next Scheduled Operator Requalification Program Topic for Lecture

ML20012C549
Person / Time
Site:	05000128
Issue date:	03/09/1990
From:	Hall K TEXAS A&M UNIV., COLLEGE STATION, TX
To:	Yandell L NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV)
References
NUDOCS 9003220189
Download: ML20012C549 (4)

Text

t

., 0 - .,

Texas Engineering Expenment station a The Texas A&M universny system

• College station. Texas 77843-3577 409'845-1321 L ar March 9,1990

,R$$]WY I MM i 21990 ,

Mr. Larry A. Yandell, Deputy Director l ~~g Division of Radiation Safety and Safeguards U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Region IV 611 Ryan Plaza Drive, Suite 1000 i Arlington, Texas 76011

Reference:

Docket 50-128/90-01 Facility License R-83

Dear Mr. Yandell:

With reference to the inspection of the Nuclear Science Center Reactor (NSCR) conducted by Messrs. B. Murray and L. Ricketson of the USNRC Region lV office during the period January 10-12, 1990, the following reply is submitted:

(128/9001-01) - Apparent Violation - Failure to Fully implement All Provisions of the NSCR Physical Security Plan Resoonse to Annarent Violation i

The licensee acknowledges an apparent oversight of a requirement of the NSCR Physical Security Plan which states that licensed reactor operators at the NSCR. be given written examinations on physical security as part of the annual reactor operator retraining program. The approved retraining

- program for the NSCR is a two year program and not a one year program as it existed at the time of the initial implementation of the Physical Security Plan. The training requirement of the Physical Security Plan predates the present approved Operator Requalification Program which is referred to by NSC Management for reactor operator retraining and testing requirements. The present Operator Requalification Program is a two year 90o3 " 499 90o309 DR NLO 9300gG i

M 0 ff c TC Q V9' 1

F Mr. Larry A. Yandell March 9,1990 Page 2 program requiring retraining and written examinations each 4 months covering six topics over the two year period of the program. Under the assumption that the testing of licensed reactor operators falls under the Operator Requalification Program, and with no requirement in the program to test on physical security, licensed operators have received documented annual training on physical security without testing. Physical security training has been conducted in conjunction with emergency preparedness training. Written examinations covering emergency preparedness training is a requirement of the two year Operator Requalification Program and on occasion these examinations have included physical security.

1 i Immediate Corrective Action Emergency Preparedness and Physical Security has been designated as the next scheduled Operator Requalification Program topic for lecture and examination of licensed NSCR operators and is to be completed by April 30, 1990. This will establish full compliance with the Physical Security Plan.

Future Corrective Action The licensee desires to establish agreement between the approved Physical S%rity P!an and the approved Operator Requalification Program regarding me training requirements for licensed reactor operators on physical security. The licensee plans to submit to the Office on Non-Power Reactor, Decommissioning and Environmental Project Directorate, USNRC, Washington, D. C. a proposed amendment to the NSCR Operator Requalification Program to include retraining requirements of licensed operators on physical security as part of the Operator Requalification Program. The amendment will require that the topic of Emergency Preparedness be expanded to include Physical Security.

Upon approval of the amendment to the NSCR Operator Requalification-Program, the licensee will submit under the provisions of 10CFR50.54(p) changes to the NSCR Physical Security Plan to implement the new training requirements.

^

. .. i 1

Mr. Larry A. Yandell March 9,1990 i Page 3 i

With all changes in place, the annual physical security training of licensed l NSCR operators will continue to be a requirement under the Physical )

Security Plan with the requirement for written examinations on this topic j to be a part of the Operator Requalification Program. The licensee l concludes that the proposed changes to the Operator Requalification Program and the Physical Security Plan will not reduce the effectiveness  ;

of either program and will continue to maintain the proficiencey of l licensed operators in this area.

Date of Comoliance  !

Compliance with present physical security requirements will be ;

established by April 30, 1990. l Resoonse to Onen items Open Item (128/9001-02) - Organization and Managaement Control (NSC Health Physicist Position)

Action regarding the assignment of a full-time NSC Health Physicist to be responsible. to the licensee for the NSCR Radiation Protection Program is l contingent upon the hiring of this individual. An active search is l underway on a national scale to fill this important position. Dr. John i Poston is chairman of the search committee which has established requirements and qualifications for the selection of this individual. ]

Open item (128/9001-03) - Radiological Controls (Posting of Loading Dock Area)

L A requirement for the posting of additional radiological warning signs has been implemented by placing appropriate signs on the loading dock during l sample handling activities. The current signs on the loading dock are I

< visible when the doors leading to the materials handling area are closed, l but the signs are hidden when the doors are open. This action was taken l immediately following the inspection of January 10-12, 1990. l 1

Mr. Larry A Yandell March 9,1990 Page 4 Should there be any questions regarding this reply, please contact me at 409/845-3357 or D. E. Feltz, Director, Nuclear Science Center at 409/845-5907. l Respectfully submitted, Yl[

Kenneth R. Hall, Deputy Director Texas- Engineering Experiment Station KRH/DEF/ja xc: Dr. K. L. Peddicord, Assistant Director Mr. Donald E. Feltz, Director y Texas Engineering' Experiment Station Nuclear Science Center l Texas A&M University Texas A&M University College Station, Texas 77843 College Station, Texas 77843 .

I l Dr. John W. Poston, Head Dr. Jon Reuscher, Director j Department of Nuclear Engineering Nuclear Research Reactor i Texas A&M University Programs College Station, Texas 77843 Nuclear Science Center l Texas A&M University -!

Dr. M. E. McLain College Station, Texas 77843 i Radiation Safety Officer L Texas A&M University College Station, Texas 77843 Mr. Feenan 'Jennings, Chairman Reactor Safety Board Texas A&M University ,

College Station, Texas 77843 1 1

-- - - _ _ _ _ - - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ _ . _ _ _ _ -