ML20029D995
| ML20029D995 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | University of Buffalo |
| Issue date: | 05/04/1994 |
| From: | Joyner J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | Landi D NEW YORK, STATE UNIV. OF, BUFFALO, NY |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20029D996 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9405130280 | |
| Download: ML20029D995 (3) | |
Text
pf 4 f.MY 0 4 1094 Docket No. 50-57 Dr. D. M.12ndi Vice President for Research State University of New York at Buffalo Capen Hall Amherst, New York 11260
Dear Dr. Landi:
Subject:
Evaluation of Submitted Information The purpose of this letter is to acknowledge your recent letters regarding the reactor heat exchanger tube leaks, the change in management of the Buffalo Materials Research Center, and your actions regarding the November 1992 alleged inattentive operator. We have reviewed the information you provided and request the following:
Eraclor Heat Exchanger Tube Irak In correspondence dated January 5,1994, you provided to the NRC your staff's evaluation of the consequences of multiple tube failures in the Reactor Heat Exchanger. The conclusion documented in the report was that the reactor core would not be l
compromised, and no unmanageable radiation hazards would be created inside the facility, even if several tubes were to fail simultaneously. However, we note that tube failures result in leakage of coolant into the cooling tower water, which overflows to the sanitary sewer or evaporates to the environment. Please provide your assessment of the environmental impact of the tube failure accident scenario.
Change in Management and Operation of the Research Reactor In correspondence dated 1
March 3,1994, you described changes to be made in the management and operation of the research reactor. We understand that The State University of New York has resumed direct management and oversight of the reactor facility and terminated arrangements with the contractor who had operated the facility since 1985. As described in your letter, the lines of responsibility for licensed activities appear to be clear. In conjunction with the organizational changes, please ensure that appropriate changes to your Technical Specifications are or have been submitted for NRC approval.
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at Buffalo Inattentive Operator In correspondence dated October 28, 1993, received by this office on November 10,1993, you described your final actions regarding the alleged inattentive operator.
The operator in question had unsuccessfully participated on October 13, 1992, in an NRC-administered requalification examination and had been transferred for remedial training from the midnight shift to the day shift just prior to the alleged inattentiveness. The decision to use this operator as the operator-in-charge at the console, with only minor remedial training and no retesting, while not a violation of regulatory requirements or your operator training program, is not consistent with the intent of 10 CFR 55.53h, 55.59a, and 55.59b. Accordingly, we request that you evaluate this incident against the polices and practices contained in your operator requalification program and determine if that program is consistent with your current operational safety philosophies. It might be appropriate, for example, to limit an operator who has been declared incligible to perform licensed duties due to performance inadequacies only to watchstanding in the presence of a fully qualified operator until the individual has been satisfactorily retested.
We believe that any future decision to allow resumption of watchstanding, even for short periods, following an unsuccessful examination performance must be based on the adequacy of the remedial action, as determined by a specific management individual. Please inform us within 30 days of the receipt of this letter of the results of your review of this matter and of changes, if any, that will be made in your policies and procedures.
The information that you provided in your letters is appreciated. We value the initiative that you have shown in keeping the NRC informed of the changes at your facility.
i Sincerely, Original Signed By:
James H. Joynor James H. Joyner, Chief Facilities Radiological Safety and Safeguards Branch Division of Radiation Safety and Safeguards cc w/ encl:
D. Vasbinder, Director, Buffalo Materials Research Inc.
M. A. Pierro, Radiation Safety Officer Dr. William Vernetson, TRTR K. Abraham, PAO (2)
Public Document Room (PDR)
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Region i Docket Room (with concurrences)
J. Caldwell, NRR/LOLB (OWFN 10 D22)
V. McCree, OliDO (OWFN 17 G21)
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