ML20058D953

Forwards Ref Matl Requirements for Reactor/Senior Reactor Operator Licensing Exams Scheduled for 901114

ML20058D953
Person / Time
Site:	River Bend
Issue date:	10/18/1990
From:	Collins S NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV)
To:	Deddens J GULF STATES UTILITIES CO.
References
NUDOCS 9011060348
Download: ML20058D953 (11)

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j etT l 8 1990 Docket No.: 50-458 License No.: NpF-47 Gulf States Utilities ATTN: James C. Deddens SeniorVicePresident(RBNG)

P.O. Box 220 St. Francisville, Louisiana 70775 Gentlemen:

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SUBJECT:

LICENSING EXAMINATIONS AT RIVER BEND STATION (RBS) i in a telephone conversation between Mr. R. N.. Jackson of your staff and Mr. K. H. Kennedy, HRC Chief Examiner, arrangements were made for the administra-tien of licensing examinations at River Bend Station during the week of January 14, 1991.

To meet the above schedule, it will be necessary for you to furnish the reference material listed in Enclosure 1, " Reference Material Requirements for Reactor / Senior Reactor Operator Licensing Examinations," by November 14, 1990.

Any delay in receiving approved, properly bound, and indexed reference material or the submittal of inadequate or incomplete reference material may result in the examination being rescheduled. Mr. Jackst,n has been advised of our reference material requirements and of the address where each set of reference material is to be mailed.

You are responsible for providing adequate space and accommodations for administration of the written examinations. Enclosure 2 " Requirements for Administration of Written Examinations," describes our requirements for conducting these examinations. Mr. Jackson has also been informed of thes requirements. contai's the NRC Rules and Guidelines that will be in effect during the administratior, of the written examination. The facility management is responsible for ensuring that all applicants are aware of these rules.

The facility etaff review of the written examinations will be conducted in accordance with requirements specified in Enclosure 4, " Requirements for Facility Review of Written Examinations." Mr. Jackson has been informed of these requirements.

To document simulator examinations effectively, the Chief Examiner will have the simulator operator record predetermined plant conditions (e.g., plant-pressure, temperature, pressurizer level, etc.) for each simulator scenario.

The applicants will be responsible for providing this information with any.

appeal of simulator operating examination. Therefore, your training staff i

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Gulf States Utilities should retain the original simulator examination scenario information until all applicants who took examinations have passed the operating examination,,

accepted the denial of their license, or filed an appeal.

Preliminary reactor operator and senior reactor operator license applications should be submitted to reach this office at least 30 days before the first examination date so that we will be able to review the training and experience of the candidates, process the medical certifications, and prepare final examiner assignments after applicant eligibility has been determined.

If the applications are not received at least 30 days before the examination date, it is likely that a postponement will be necessary.

Final signed applications certifying that all training has been completed shall be submitted at least 14 days before the first examination date.

This request is covered by Office of Management and Budget Clearance i

Nun.ber 3150-0101 which expires May 31, 1992.- The estimated average bure is 7.7 hours8.101852e-5 days <br />0.00194 hours <br />1.157407e-5 weeks <br />2.6635e-6 months <br /> per response, including gathering, copying and mailing the required material. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Information and Records Management Branch, Division of Information Support Services, Office of Information Resources Management, U.S.

Nuclear Regulatory (Commission, Washington, D.C.

20555; and to the Paperwork Reduction Project 3150-0101), Office of Management and Budget, Washington, D.C.

20503.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

If you have any questions regarding the examination procedures and requirements, please contact Mr. J. L. Pellet, Chief, Operator Licensing Section, at (817) 860-8159.

Sincerely, l

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amuel J. Collins, Director Division of Reactor Projects l

Enclosures:

1.

Reference Material Requirements I

for Reactor / Senior Reactor Operator Licensing Examinations 2.

Requirements for Administration of Written Examinations 3.

NRC Rules and Guidelines for Written Examinations 4.

Requirements for Facility Peview l

of Written Examinations

Culf States Utilities cc w/ enclosures:

Gulf States Utilit'as ATTN: Dale Andret:'

Nuclear Training Dhector P.O. Box 220 St. Francisv111e, Lcuisiana 70775 bectoDMB(IE42) bec distrib, by RIV:

R. D. Martin SectionChief(DRP/C)

RIV file E. Hines L. Miller, TTC J. L. Pellet DRS (K. Kennedy Reading File)

W.Paulson,NRRProjectlianager(ftS:

13-D-18)

Licensee & Debt Collection Branch, ATTN: Leah Tremper j

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ENCLOSURE 1 l

REFERENCE HATERIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR REACT 0P/ SENIOR REACTOR OPERATOR LICENSING EXAMINATidN,3 Existinglearning(objectives,JobPerform:nceMeasures,studenthandoutsincluding t 1.

and lesson plans descriptions, reactor theory, thermodynamics, etc.).

A copy of the facility Job and Task Analysis (JTA), s secifying the knowledges and abilities required of an operator at t1e facility. Each particular knowledge and/or ability will include an importance rating-correlating it to ensuring the health and safety of the public.

If a JTA l

is not furnished, the Knowledges and Abilities Catalog for Nuclear Power Plant Operators, NUREG 1122(1123) will be used to establish content validity for the examination.

All Job Performance Measures-(JPMs) used to. ascertain the competence of the operators-in performing tasks within the control room complex and, as iden ified in the facility JTAs, outside of the control room,.i.e., local oper ions.

Training materials shall include all substantive written material used l

for preparing applicants for initial R0 and SRO licensing. The written material shall include learning objectives and the details presented during lectures, rather than outlines.. Training materials shall be identified by plant and unit, bound, and indexed.

FAILURE TO PROVIDE COMPLETE, PROPERLY BOUND AND INDEXED PLANT REFERENCE MATERIAL MAY' RESULT IN THE RETURN OF THE MATERIAL TO THE PERSON WHO IS THE HIGHEST LEVEL Of CORPORATE MAN GEMENT WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANT OPERATIONS (E.G.

VICE PRESIDENTOFNUCLEAROPERATIONS). ACCOMPANYING THE MATERIAL WILL BE A COVER LETTER EXPLAINING THE DEFICIENCIES-IN THE REFERENCE MATERIAL AND THE FACT THAT THIS WAS THE REASON THE EXAMINATIONS WERE CANCELLED OR i

l POSTPONED. Training materials which include the following shall be provided:

System descriptions including descriptions of all operationally relevant flow paths, components, controls', and instrumentation.

System training material should draw parallels to the actual procedures used for operating the applicable system.

I Complete and operationally useful descriptions of all safety-system interactions and, where available, BOP system interactions under emergency and abnormal conditions, including consequences of l

anticipated operator error, maintenance error, and equipment failure.

I Training material used 'o clarify and strengthen understanding of emergency. operating procedures.

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CompleteProcedureIndex(includingsurveillanceprocedures,etc.)

3.

Alladministrativeprocedures(asapplicabletoreactoroperationor safety) 4 Allintegratedplantprocedures(normalorgeneraloperatingprocedures) l S.

Emergency procedures (emergency instructions, abnormal or special procedures) 6.

Standing orders (important orders that are safety-related and may i

supersede the regular procedures) 7.

Surveillance procedures (procedures that are run frequently, i.e., weekly i

or that can be run on the simulator) procedure,whenappropriate)gprocedures,(initialcore-loading Fuel-handling and core-loadin 8.

9.

All annunciator / alarm procedures

10. Radiationprotectionmanual(radiationcontrolmanualorprocedures)

11. Emergency plan implementing procedures

12. TechnicalSpecifications(andinterpretations,ifavailable)forall l

units for which licenses are sought

13. System operating procedures 14 Piping and instrumentation diagrams, electrical single-line diagrams, or flow diagrams

15. Technical Data Book, and/or plant curve information as used by operators and f acility precautions, limitations, and setpoints (PLS) for the facility

16. Questions and answers specific to the facility training program which may be used in the written or operating examinations (voluntary by facility licensee)

17. The following material for the plant reference simulation facility:

a.

List of all preprogramed initial conditions b.

Lir.t of all preset malfunctions with a clear identification number.

The list shall include cause and effect information. Specifically, for each malfunction a concise description of the expected result, or range of results, that will occr

'pon implementation shall be provided. Additionally, an indi. Lion of which annunciators are to be initially expecteo ~ hall be given.

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A description of simulator failure capabilities for valves, breakers, indicators, and alarms d.

Where the capability exists, an explanation of the ability to vary the severity of a particular malfunction should be provided, i.e.,

ability to vary the size of a given LOCA or steam leak, or the ability to cause a slow f ailure of a component such as a feed pump, feedwater control valve)jor valve (e.g., drifting shut of a main turbine generator, or ma e.

An identification of modeling conditions / problems that may impact the

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Identification of any known performance test discrepancies not yet corrected

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Identification of differences between the simulator and the reference plant's control room h.

Copies of facility generated scenarios that expose the applicants to situations of decreased pressure control (PWR), degraded heat removal capability (PWR and BWR) and containment challenges (PWR and BWR) may be provided (voluntary by licensee) 1.

Simulator instructor's manual (voluntary by licensee) j.

Description of the scenarios used for the training class (voluntary l

I by licensee)

18. Additional material required by the examiners to develop examinations that I

meet the requirements of NUREG 1021, Operator Licensing Examiner Standards and the regulations.

The above reference material shall be approved, final issues and shall be so marked. If a plant has not finalized some of the material, the Chief. Examiner shall verify with the facility that the most complete, up-to-date material is available and that agreement has been reached with the licensee for limiting changes before the administration of the examination. All procedures and reference material shall be bound with appropriate indices or tables of-l contents so that they can be used efficiently. Failure to provide complete,

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properly bound and indexed plant reference material could result in cancellation or. rescheduling of the examinations.

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t ENCLOSURE 2 REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMINISTRATION OF WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS 1.

A single room shall be provided for administration of the written examination.

The location of this room and supporting restroom facilities shall be such as to prevent contact with all other facility and/or contractor personnel during the written examination.

If necessary, the facility should make arrangements for the use of a suitable room at a local school, motel, or other building. Obtaining this room is the responsibility of the licensee.

2.

111nimum spacing is required to ensure examination integrity as determined by the Cnief Examiner. Minimum spacing should be one applicant per table, i

with a 3-foot space between tables.

3.

Suitable arrangements shall be made by the facility if the applicants are to have lunch, coffee, or other refreshments. These arrangements shall comply with item 1 above and shall be reviewed by the examiner and/or proctor.

4.

The facility licensee shall arovide pads of 81/2-by 11-inch lined paper in unopened packages for eac1 applicant's use in completing the examination.

The examiner shall distribute these pads to the applicants.

5.

Applicants may briag pens, pencils, calculators, or slide rules into the examination room. Only black ink or dark pencils should be used for writing answers to questions.

6.

The licensee shell provide one set of steam tables for each applicant.

The proctor shall distribute the steam tables to the applicants. No wall charts, models, and/or other training materials shall be present in the examination room. No other equipment or reference material shall be allowed unless provided by the proctor.

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t ENCLOSURE 3 PROCEDURES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS 1.

Check identification badges.

2.

Pass out examinations and all handouts. Remind applicants not to review examination until instructed to do so.

READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS VERBATIM:

During the administration of this examination the following rules apply:

1.

Cheating on the examination means an automatic denial of your application and could result in more severe penalties.

2.

Af ter the examination has been completed, you must sign the statement on the cover sheet indicating that the work is your own and you have not received or given assistance in completing the examination. This must be done after you complete the examination.

READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS:

1.

Restroom trips are to be limited and only one applicant at a time may leave. You must avoid all contacts with anyone outside the examination room to avoid even the appearance or possibility of cheating.

2.

Use black ink or dark pencil only to facilitate legible reproductions.

3.

Print your name in the blank provided in the upper right-hand corner of the examination cover sheet and each answer sheet.

4 Mark your answers on the answer sheet provided. USE ONLY THE PAPER PROVIDED AND 00 NOT WRITE ON THE CACK SIDE OF THE PAGE.

5.

Before you turn in your examination, consecutively number each answer sheet, including any additional pages inserted when writing your answers on the examination question page.

6.

Use abbreviations only if they are connonly used in facility _ literature.

Avoid using symbols such as less than or greater than signs to avoid a simple transposition error resulting in an incorrect answer. Write it out.

7.

The point value for each question is indicated in parentheses after the

question, 8.

Show all calculations, methods, or_ assumptions used to obtain an' answer.

to any short answer questions.

9.

Partial credit may be given except on multiple choice questions.

Therefore, ANSWER ALL PARTS OF THE QUESTION AND DO NOT LEAVE ANY ANSWER BLANK.

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10. Proportional grading will be applied. Any additional wrong information that is provided may count against you, for example, if a question is worth one point and asks for four responses, each of which is worth 0.25 points, and you give five responses, each of your responses will be worth 0.20 points.

If one of your five responses is inccrrect, 0.20 will be deducted and your total credit for that question will be 0.80 instead or 1.00 even though you got the four correct answers.

11.

If the intent of a question is unclear, ask questions of the examiner only.

12. When turning in your examinati3n, assemble the completed examination with examination questions, examinat'on efds and answer sheets.

In eddition, turn in all scrap paper.

13. Ensure all information you wish to have evaluated as part of your answer is on your answer sheet. Scrap pape,* will be dispesed of imediately i

following the examination.

14. To pass the examination, you must achieve a grade of 80% or greater.

15. There is a time limit of four (4) hours for completion of the examination.

16. When you are done and have turned in your examination, leave the examinationarea(DErlHETliEAREA).

If you are found in this area while the examination is still in progress, your license may be denied or revoked.

o ENCLOSURE 4 REQUIREMENTS FOR FACILITY REVIEW OF WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS 1.

At the option of the Chief Examiner, the facility may review the written 1

examination up to two weeks prior to.its administration. This review nay take place at the facility or'in the Regional office. The review will be conducted using the same material sent to the NRC for examination generation purposes. The Chief Examiner Will coordinate the details of the review with the facility. An NRC examiner will always be available during the review.

Whenever this option of examination review is utilized, the facility reviewers shall sign the following statement prior to being allowed access to the examination. The examination or written notes will not be

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retained by the f acility.

a.

Pre-Examination Security Agreement I

acknowledge that I have c'. quired specialized knowledge concerning the examination scheduled for at as of the-date of my signature below.

I agree that I will not knowingly divulge any information concerning this examination to any unauthorized persons.

I understand that I am not to participate in any instruction involving those applicants scheduled to be administered the above examination from this-date until after the examination has been administered.

I further understand that violation of the conditions of this agreement may result in the examination being cancelled and/or enforcenent action against myself or the f acility licensee by whom I am employed ~ or represent.

Signature /Date i

In addition, the facility staff reviewers will sign the following.

statement af ter the written examination has been administered.

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Post-Examination Security Agreement i

I did not, to the best of my knowledge, divulge l

any information concerning the examinations administered during the week of at to any unauthorized persons.

I did not participate in providing any instruction to l

those applicants who were administered the examination from the date I entered into this security agreement until the completion of examination administration.

Signature /Date 1

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Regardless of whether the above examination review option'is exercised, immediately following the administration of the written examination, the facility staff shall be provided a marked up copy of the examination and the answer key. The copy of the written examination shall include pen and ink changes made to cuestions during the examination administration.

If the facility did not review the examination prior to its administration, they will have five (5) working days from the day of the written examination to submit formal comments.

If the facility reviewe1 the examination prior to its administration, any additional comments must be given to an examiner prior to his/her leaving the site at the end of the week of the written examination administration.

In either case, the comments will be addressed to the responsible Regional office by the highest level of corporate managenent for plant operations, e.g., Vice President for Nuclear Operations.

A copy of the submittal will be forwarded to the Chief Examiner, as appropriate. Comments not submitted within the required time frame will be considered for inclusion in the grading process on a case-by-case basis by the Regional Office Section Chief. Should the comment submittal deadline not be met, a long delay in grading the examinations may occur.

3.

The following format should be adhered to for submittal of specific comments:

a.

Listing of HRC question, answer and reference b.

Facility comment / recommendation c.

Reference (to support facility commcut)

NOTES:

1.

No change to the examination will be made without submittal of a reference to support the facility comment. Any supporting documentation that was not previously supplied, should be provided.

2.

Connents made without a concise facility recciamendation will not be addressed.

4.

A two hour post-examination review may be held at the discretion of the Chief Examiner.

If this review is held, the facility staff should be informed thtt only written comments that are properly supported will be considered in the grading of the examination,

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