ML20091A148
| ML20091A148 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png |
| Issue date: | 05/10/1991 |
| From: | Pelletier J VERMONT YANKEE NUCLEAR POWER CORP. |
| To: | NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM) |
| References | |
| BVY-91-50, NUDOCS 9105140357 | |
| Download: ML20091A148 (3) | |
Text
- - _ _ _ - _ - _
4
' VERMONT YANKEE NbCLEAR POWER CORPORATION 4' \\
Iy
)
Ferry Road, Bratueboro, VT 05301-7002 A"* L'i h' James P. Pelletier x,
~
kY May 10, 1991
"' " " " "9 BVY 91-50 (802) 257-5271 j
v United States Nuclear Regu]atory Commission ATTN:
Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555
References:
a)
License No. DPR-28 (Docket No. 50-271) b)
Letter, VYNPC to USNRC (BVY91-08), dated January 16, 1991 c)
Letter, USNRC to VYNPC (Inspection Report 50-271/90-14), dated December 17, 1990 d)
Letter, VYNPC to USNRC (BVY90-109), dated November 5, 1990 e)
Letter, VYNPC to USNRC (BVY90-095), dated October 4, 1990 f)
Letter, USNRC to VYNPC (File RI-90-A-0130;0135), dated September 27, 1990
Subject:
Updated Response to Inspection Report 50-271/90-14
Dear Sir:
Vermont Yankee provided, via Reference b),
a response to NRC Inspection Report findings (Reference c)] that were identified regarding services provided by a Vermont Yankee contractor.
In addition, Reference b) noted thut further contractor employee concerns had been identified and that we were initiating an evaluation of those concerns.
The purpose of this letter is to provide a status of the corrective actions discussed in Reference b) and also to provide the results of our evaluation of the additional concerns.
One of the allegations evaluated in Reference c) was that " Quality Control (QC) inspectors are allegedly being harassed and intimidated to suppress safety concerns because of production pressure." In our response (Reference b)], we provided the results of our extensive investigation into this matter and our conclusion that safety concerns had not been suppressed.
In addition, we initiated further dialogue with contractor management who committed to further evaluate work environment concerns and to follow up that evaluation with appropriate actions.
Vermont Yankee has maintained ongoing, frequent contact with the contractor's management during their evaluation, which has included a complete review of all procedures and work environment practices fj0 that are in place for work at Vermont Yankee.
That review is now I
essentially complete and we expect that affected contractor personnel will receive training by May 31, 1991, on the content of the procedure revisions resulting from that review.
It should be 9105140357 910510
/
I POR ADOCK 05000271 i/, ' '
O PDR
,V
. _.- - _. ~ _
- - ~..
VERMONT YANKEE NUCLE AR POWER CORPOR ATION United states Nucleat Regulatory Commisalon May 10, 1991 Page 2 noted that, as of January 16, 1991, while procedures were being modified and until all training is complete, Vermont Yankee discontinued use of this contractor's services for performing safety-related work.
This restriction will remain in ef fect until we have reviewed the substance and effectiveness of the actions taken.
In addition to the above, Vermont Yankee committed in Reference b) to perform an evaluation of the root cause for why the contractor's i
Nonconformance Report (NCR) process did not identify the need for application of the 10CFR 50 Appendix B program during accumulator tank rework.
This evaluation, which we expected to complete by March 1,
1991, is still ongoing in conjunction with our other contractor evaluation ef forts. We now expect to complete this ro.
cause evaluation by June 1, 1991.
Vermont Yankee noted in our response to NRC Inspection Report 50-271/90-14 [ Reference b)] that we had become aware of additional contractor employee concerns.
We received those concerns, which were presented by a former contractor employee, on January 11, 1991.
Concerns related to the quality of the contractor's work were as follows:
a.
The qualifications of a contractor QA/QC supervisor were called into question, b.
There was an implication that unresolved quality issues existed regarding work performed by the contractor at Vermont Yankee.
Vermont Yankee immediately initiated an evaluation of both concerns, with the following results:
a.
An independent review was performed to evaluate the qualifications of the identified QA/QC supervisor. Based on extensive review of the individual's qualification history file and interviews with Vermont Yankee supervisors who had considerable contact with__ the contractor supervisor in question, we concluded that this l
individual is appropriately qualified for the position L
of QA/QC-supervisor.
Vermont Yankee also requested l
contractor senior management to provide an assessment of the individual's past performance in the supervision of QA/QC activities. The response to that request concluded that the individual's performance in supervising the contractor's Quality Program was very satisfactory.
Based. on these efforts, we have concluded that the individual in guestion is appropriately qualified to fulfill the assigned responsibilities.
1 b.
On February 7, 1991, Vermont Yankee management et with the concerned contractor employee.
At that time, the contractor employee was asked about the implication that unresolved quality issues existed.
_ _ _... _ _ _ _.. =
- m. _.
.m.
__~___-__.m._____
VERMONT YANKEE NUCLE AR POWER CORPOR ATION United states Nuclear Regulatory Commission May 10, 1991 Page 3 In response, the contractor employee stated no awareness of any unresolved quality problems or concerns at Vermont Yankee.
Based on that statement, we have concluded that no further evaluation is necessary and that no additional safety or quality issues have teen identified.
We trust that the above information will aid in your review and evaluation of these matters.
If you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely, heimoA ()
./James P.
Pelletier Vice President, Engineering jbb cci USNRC Region I Administrator USNRC Resident Inspector - VYNPS USNRC Project Manager - VYNPS l
l l
--m
- - - - '