ML20059J984

Responds to Re Violations Noted in Insp Rept 50-344/90-21.Corrective Action:Individual Employee Terminated on Day of Event

ML20059J984
Person / Time
Site:	Trojan File:Portland General Electric icon.png
Issue date:	09/14/1990
From:	Cross J PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC CO.
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
References
NUDOCS 9009210093
Download: ML20059J984 (5)

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P James E. Cross Vice President, Nuclear 3

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L September 14, 1990 i

Trojan Nuclear Plant

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Dockot 50-344 License NPF-1 i

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission AWN Document Control Desk Washington DC 20555 h

Dear Sir:

Reply to a Notice of Violation

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Your letter of August 16, 1990 transmitted one Notice of Violation (NOV) f associated with Nuclear Regulatory Commission Inspection l

Report 50-344/90-21. Attachment 1 la our response to the NoV.

Sincerely,

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Attacimient i

et Mr. John B. Martin f'

Reg!onal Administrator, Region V U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Mr. David Stewart-Smith l

State of Oregon l

Department of Energy 1

Mr. R C. Barr j

NRC Resident Inspector Trojan Nuclear Plant l

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Trojan Nuclear plant Document Control Desk Docket 50-344 September 14, 1990 E

License NPF-1 page 1 of 4 REPLY TO NOTICE OF VIOIATION Viola h Technical Specification 3.7.9 states:

"All 3-hour penetration fire barri.ts protecting safety related areas shall be functional."

Limiting Condition for Operation 3.7.9.a states in part that "With one or more of the above required penetration fire barriers nonfunctional in areas with a combustible loading of greater than 1 lb/fL2 equivalent wood, provide either a continuous fire watch on at 1 cast one side of the affected penetration within one-hour or verity the OPERABILITY of fire detectors on at 1 cast one side of the fire barrier and establish an hourly fire watch patrol."

On March 23, 1990 the 3-hour fire barrier between the 77-foot and 93-foot-level of the Auxiliary Building (Fire Areas Al and A6) was declared non-functional by the licensee and a continuous fire watch was established for fire protection.

\\ ontrary to the above, on July 19, 1990, at approximately 7:00 a.m. the C

fire watch was not continuous in that the fire watch appeared to be asleep and inattentive to his duties.

This is a Severity Levol IV violation (Supplement I).

Response

portland General Electric Company (pCE) acknowledges the violation.

1.-

Reason for the Violation:

The violation was caused by personnel error on the part of the posted firewatch. As outlined below, Nuclear Security Operations Branch personnel, who man all firewatches, were, on several previous occasions, instructed on the necessity for attentiveness when assigned to firewatch duties, personnel were briefed on various methods and devices available to maintain attentiveness while posted as a firewatch. In addition, the availaollity of relief watches, with no stigma associated with relief requests, was emphasized.

• On April 19, 1990, the Branch Manager, Security Operations met with Security Department watchpersons and discussed the extreme importance of being alert while on duty. The inattentive employee was in attendance at the meeting.

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l Trojan Nuclear plant Document Control Desk Docket 50-344 September 14, 1990 License NpF-1 page 2 of 4

• On June 8, 1990 Nuclear Security Operations Branch personnel, including the subject inattentive firewatch, were issued copies of a memorandum by the the Branch Manager, Security Operations whlen detailed the elements of being inattentive and he consequencer of violating attentiveness requirements. Specifically, the memorandum stated that indicators of inattention included being in a motionless state, failure to acknowledge the presence of personnel in the area, and being slumped in a chair. The memo also emphasized that employees found inattentive were subject to innediate termination.

• On June 20, 1990, Nuclear Security Operations Branch personnel were issued a memorandum by the Branch Manager, Security Operations which again addressed inattention to duty and the fact that anti-sleep devices were now standard equi :Li t available for all stationary security /firewatch posts.

personnel were encouraged to utilize the devices. The Anattentive firewatch in this event had an anti-sleep device immediately available, but did not usu it.

• On June 27.-1990 Nuclear Security Operations Branch personnel, including the inattentive firewatch, were issued personal copies of

.the Nuclear Division policy memorandum on " Attentiveness To Duty".

This memorandum: which was issued to all Nuclear Division personnel, reiterated that inattentiveness (defined as eyes closed, in a relaxed position, and unresponsive to normal stimull) would result in termination on the first offense.

• On June 28, 1990, ice vests were made available for posted firewatches due to warm temperatures. This action was communicated to firewatches by means of additions to.their assigned post orders.

Despite warm temperatures in the assigned area, the inattentive firewatch was not wearing an ice vest when this event occurred.

• During the month of July 1990, Nuclear Security Operations Branch personnel attended briefings on Nuclear Division " Standards and Expectations". The cornerstones of these briefings were adherence to procedures and attentiveness to duties. The inattentive firewatch attended the briefings on July 3, 1990.

I The inspection report noted that the individual involved in this j

event had previously been found inattentive at the same firewatch post in April of 1990.

Following the previous incident, he was cou.aseled and a letter of discipline was placed in his file.

Since this individual was a ten-year veteran of the Security Department who had not previously exhibited performance problens, he was allowed to

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i Trojan Nuclear plant Document Control Desk Docket 50-344 September 14, 1990 License NpF-1 Page 3 of 4 i

ij continue his employment.

In keepine, with our June 1990 attentiveness policy, he was immediately terminated following the second incident.

j In summary, this event resulted from an isolated personnel error involving an employee who violated procedures and failed to utilize i

s available methods for ensuring procedural compliance. The employee had received numerous briefings concerning attentiveness.

During this incident he had been posted as a firewatch for a short time (approximately one-hour) prior to being discovered inattentive. An j

anti-sleep device and an ice-vest were immediately available but not l

used by the employee. The employee's statement acknowledges his inattentive state and his belief that he was well-rested prior to reporting for duty.

Also, a sufficient number of relief personnel were available if a relief had been requested.

2.

Corrective Steps Taken and Results Achieved:

As a result of this event the subject individual's employment at the Trojan Nuclear plant was terminated on the day of the event.

Following this incident, the Branch Manager, Security Operations met with all Security Operations Branch personnel to emphasize the need for attentiveness.

In addition, a mandatory policy requiring either standing or the use of an anti-sleep device was implemented for all security personnel during assignments at stationary posts.

Since the event, attentiveness and use of anti-sleep devices have been addressed at numerous pre-shift. briefings.

The subject firewatch post has_ been changed from a two-hour to a one-hour assignment, and a continuous standing position is require 6.

Ice vests remain available for firewatches, 3.

Corrective Steps That Will Be Taken to Avoid Further Violations:

Based on recent events involving poor performance and/or aberrant.

behavior we recognize the need to improve in this general area.

Our Nuclear Division Improvement Plan, as described to the NRC at the May 10, 1990 management meeting is already addressing improvements in the entire area of managing performance problems.

In addition, enhancements are being made to our behavioral observation program.

In addition to existing employee monitoring programs (e.g.,

behavioral observation, Fitness for Duty), Security Department personnel with potential performance problems, including attentiveness on duty, will be closely monitored by supervisort t

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Trojan Nuclear Plant.

Document Control Desk Docket 50-344

- September 14, 1990 License NPF-1 Pase 4 of 4 1

-personnel.

Supervisors will also be tasked with routine evaluation of firewatch posts for conditions which.might lead to attentiveness difficulties-(e.g., isolated location, machinery noise, elevated temperatures). Additional measures such as one-hour rotation and mandatory standing position'will be implemented as needed.

Additional anti-sleep devices will be obtained to ensure a continuing sufficient quantity.

4.

-Date'When Full Compliance Will Be Achieved:

Full compliance was achieved on July 19, 1990 when the inattentive individual was replaced and a continuous firewatch was reestablished.

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