ML20044G753
| ML20044G753 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Wolf Creek  |
| Issue date: | 05/26/1993 |
| From: | Beach A NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | Withers B WOLF CREEK NUCLEAR OPERATING CORP. |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20044G754 | List: |
| References | |
| EA-93-129, NUDOCS 9306040205 | |
| Download: ML20044G753 (5) | |
See also: IR 05000482/1993016
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UNITED STATES
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
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MAY 2 61993
Docket No. 50-482
License No. NPF-42
EA 93-129
Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation
ATIN:
Bart D. Withers
President and Chief Executive Officer
P.O. Box 411
Burlington, Kansas 66839
SUBJECT: NRC INSPECTION REPORT 50-482/93-16
This letter refers to the special inspection conducted by Messrs. S. J.
Campbell and G. A. Pick of this office for the period of May 10-13, 1993. The
inspection included a review of activities authorized for your Wolf Creek
Generating Station.
At the conclusion of the inspection, the findings were
discussed with you and those members of your staff identified in the enclosed
report.
The area examined during the inspection is identified in the re;0rt...Within
this area, the inspection consisted of selective examination of procedures and
representative records, interviews with personnel, and observations of the-
activities in progress.
Based on the results of this ins,3ction, six apparent violations were
identified and are being considered for escalated enforcement action in
accordance with the " General Statement of Policy and Procedure for NRC
Enforcement Actions" (Enforcement Policy), 10 CFR Part 2, Appendix C.
Accordingly, no Notice of Violation is presently being issued., for these
inspection findings.
Please be advised that the number and characterization
of apparent violations described in the enclosed inspection report may change
as a result of information developed during the enforcement conference or
further NRC review.
The first apparent violation was the failure to comply with the Technical
Specification requirements for having the motor-driven auxiliary feedwater
pumps operable when entering Mode 3 from Mode 4.
This violation is
significant because two critical safety-related components, necessary for the
removal of residual heat from the reactor, were inoperable because their
capability to start automatically was disabled.
The second apparent violation was the failure to take the actions required by
the Technical Specifications with both motor-driven auxiliary feedwater pumps
inoperable in Mode 3.
This violation occurred as a result of the first
violation and the failure of your normal reactor operations oversight and -
administrative controls to identify the inoperable components for an extended
9306040205 930526
ADDCK 05000482
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time. While we recognize that the turbine-driven auxiliary feedwater pump was
available and that the motor-driven auxiliary feedwater pumps could have been
placed in service in a short time, if needed, this violation is significant
because it indicates inadequate attention to and cognizance of vital safety-
related equipment status by licensed operators.
The third apparent violation involved a failure to follow procedures in
accordance with the requirements of Technical Specifications.
This apparent-
violation is of concern because control room operators failed to perform a
mode change checklist prior to entering Mode 3, which resulted in Mode 3 entry-
with both motor-driven auxiliary feedwater pumps inoperable. We are concerned
,
that this violation may have resulted from pressure on the licensed operators
,
to meet a schedule goal.
The hurried preparations for Mode 3 entry may have
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resulted in incomplete reviews of plant conditions, equipment status, and
associated documentation.
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The fourth and fifth apparent violations involved failures to adequately
perform procedures in accordance with the requirements of Technical
Specifications. These apparent violations are of concern because control room
operators did not perform adequate briefings or control board walkdowns during
shift turnover, did not perform adequate control board walkdowns during shift
,
operations and, as a result, did not recognize that both motor-driven
auxiliary feedwater pumps were inoperable for a period of greater than 13
hours. Had effective shift turnovers been conducted, appropriate reviews of
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equipment status during the night shift been conducted, or normal oversight
processes functioned effectively, the second apparent violation would have
been prevented.
The sixth apparent violation involved a failure to adequately perform an
administrative procedure in accordance with the Technical Specifications. The
plant operators failed to use the equipment out-of-service loo to track the
status of the inoperable auxiliary feedwater. pumps.
Proper use of this
administrative control method could have prevented the significant violations
discussed above.
Failure to use the administrative tools provided removed a
backup safety net intended to prevent such errors.
An enforcement conference to discuss these apparent violations has been
scheduled for 1 p.m., on June 9,1993,-in the Region IV office.
This
enforcement conference will be open to public observation.in-accordance with
,
the Commission trial program as discussed in the enclosed Federal Register
notice (Enclosure 2). The purposes'of this conference are to discuss the
examples of apparent violations, their causes and safety significance; to
provide you the opportunity to point out any errors in our inspection report;-
to provide an opportunity for you to present your proposed corrective actions;
and to discuss any other information that will help us determine the
appropriate enforcement action in accordance with the Enforcement Policy.
In
particular, we expect you to address the safety significance of- operating .in
Mode 3 with both motor-driven auxiliary feedwater pumps inoperable. You
should also address the reasons the handswitch misalignment was not noticed
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Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating
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and corrected for more than 13 hours1.50463e-4 days <br />0.00361 hours <br />2.149471e-5 weeks <br />4.9465e-6 months <br /> after Mode 3 entry and why the equipment-
out-of-service log was not used as a tool to assist in tracking inoperable
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equipment.
In addition, this is an opportunity for you.to provide any
information concerning your perspective on: . (1) the severity of the issue,
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(2) the factors that the NRC considers when it determines the amount of.a
,
civil penalty that may be assessed in accordance with Section VI.3.2 of the-
Enforcement Policy, and (3) the possible basis for exercising discretion in
accordance with Section VII of the Enforcement Policy.
You will be advised by-
separate correspondence of the results of our deliberations on this matter.
No response regarding the apparent violations is required at this time.
In accordance with 10 CFR Section 2.790 of the NRC's " Rules of Practice,"'a
copy of this letter and its enclosures will be placed in the NRC 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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ri Bil$ Beach, Director
f
g Division of-Reactor Projects-
Enclosures:
1.
NRC Inspection Report
50-482/93-16 w/ attachment
2.
Federal Register Notice
cc w/ enclosure:
Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corp.
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ATTN: Otto Maynard, Vice President
Plant Operations
,
P.O. Box 411
Burlington, Kansas ' 66839
Shaw, Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge
ATTN: Jay Silberg, Esq.
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2300 M Street, NW
Washington, D.C.
20037
Public Service Commission
ATTN:
C.' John Renken
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Policy & Federal Department
P.O. Box 360
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102
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U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
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ATTN: Regional . Administrator, Region III
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799 Roosevelt Road
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Glen Ellyn, Illinois 60137
Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corp.
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ATTN: Kevin J. Moles
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Manager Regulatory Services
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P.O. Box 411
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Burlington, Kansas 66839
-Kansas Corporation Commission
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ATTN: Robert Elliot, Chief Engineer
Utilities Division
1500 SW Arrowhead Rd.
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Topeka, kansas 66604-4027
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Office of the Governor
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State of Kansas
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Topeka, Kansas 66612
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Attorney General
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1st Floor - The Statehouse
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Topeka, Kansas 66612
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Chairman, Coffey County Commission
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Coffey County Courthouse
Burlington, Kansas 66839-1798
Kansas Department of Health -
and Environment
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Bureau of Air Quality & Radiation
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ATTN: Gerald Allen, Public
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Health Physicist
Division of Environment
Forbes Field Building 321
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LTopeka, Kansas 66620
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
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ATTNi Robert Eye, General Counsel
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