ML20055B680

Responds to NRC Re Violations Noted in IE Insp Repts 50-272/82-08 & 50-311/82-07.Corrective Actions: Personnel Reinstructed Re Radwaste Shipment Preparation & Shipment Security Procedures Modified

ML20055B680
Person / Time
Site:	Salem
Issue date:	06/24/1982
From:	Uderitz R Public Service Enterprise Group
To:	Haynes R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
Shared Package
ML20055B676	List: ML20055B680
References
NUDOCS 8207220622
Download: ML20055B680 (3)

Text

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• s Pubhc Service Electric and Gas Company Richard A.Uderitz 80 Park P;aza, Newark, NJ 07101 201 430-7380 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 570, Neuark, NJ 07101 Vice President June 24, 1982 l

Mr. Ronald C. Haynes, Director Office of Inspection and Enforcement U.S. Nuclear Retfulatory Commission Region I 631 Park Avenue King of Prussia, PA 19406 Attention: Mr. Thomas T. Martin, Director Division of Engineering & Technical Programs Gentlemen:

COMBINED INSPECTION 50-272/82-08 AND 50-311/82-07 SALEM GENERATING STATION UNITS NO. 1 AND 2 JANUARY 22, 1982 The following is our response to the item of violation identified during the subject inspection.

Item of Violation The violation involves the delivery of licensed material to a carrier for transport without meeting all of the applicable requirements outlined in the regulations of the Department of Transportation in 49 CFR 170-189. 10 CFR 71.5 specifically prohibits delivery of licensed material without complete com-pliance with the Department of Transportation regulations.

Specifically, 49 CFR 173.92 (c) (1) states, " Materials must be packaged in strong, tight packages....". Contrary to this requirement, on January 21, 1982, a waste shipment of licensed l material was delivered to a carrier for transport to the Chem l Nuclear Systems, Inc., burial site at Barnwell, South Carolina,

! by the licensee, and two of the one-hundred-fourteen 55 gallon drums were not strong, tight packages. The two drums, each containing 4.8 millicuries of licensed material, were inspected at the burial site on January 22, 1982, and the inspection revealed that one drum (No. 0083) had a three-inch slit on its side, and the other (No. 0047) had a small hole in its lower i portion.

This is a severity Level III violation (Supplement V.C.1) .

Reply to Item of Violation

1. We have reviewed our records to determine the cause of this item of non-compliance. While we are uncertain as to the 8207220622 820716 PDR ADOCK 05000272 O PDR

Mr. R. C. Haynes, Director U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 6/24/82 exact cause of the two punctured drums, we bear full re-sponsibility for the condition of the drums as received at the burial site. It should be noted that the sequence of events that prepare the drums for transport includes at least four inspection points, with the final inspection made by the radwaste technical supervisor and a Quality Assurance representative as the drum pallets are loaded onto the vehicle.

2. To prevent recurrence of this problem, two major actions were taken. First, to prevent lack of appropriate care in the preparation and handling of waste packages, a formal review class was conducted for all personnel involved in radwaste shipment preparation. This class which is documented as to content and attendance, included a review of the procedures for preparing a radioactive waste shipment, the Federal Regulations governing such shipments (with particular emphasis on 49CFR 173.42 (c) (1) and 10CFR 71.5), and the ramifications of possible violations. The thoroughness of inspections on waste packages which may affect their integrity was stressed in this radwaste handling class.

To detect unauthorized entry into or use of the vehicle, station procedures covering the shipment of radioactive materials have been modified to require the placing of a distinctive (station labeled) seal on the trailer door.

These seals are presently-in use on our waste shipments.

Both the carrier and the waste receiver have been notified to contact the company immediately if there is evidence of the trailer being opened during transit.

We believe that the above described actions and procedural modifications should prevent the shipment of waste packages which do not meet the " strong, tight" requirements of 49 CFR 173. 392 (c) (1) .

3. We are now in compliance.

Sincerely, sdfhN CC Director, Office of Inpection and Enforcement U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555

s .

STATE OF NEW JERSEY )

) SS: COUNTY OF SALEM COUNTY OF SALEM )

RICHARD A. UDERITZ, being duly sworn according to law deposes and says:

I am a Vice President of Public Service Electric and Gas Company, and as such, I find the matters set forth in our response dated June 24, 1982, to the NRC's combined inspection report 50-272/82-08 and 50-311/82-07 are true to the best of my knowledge, information and belief.

J = A RICllARD A. 'UDERf'ff d Subscribed and sworn to before me this 4 9 day of h 4 , 1982 bi /*/{m

' Notary Public of New Jersey My Commission expires on ty 2/78 7 U () '

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