ML20126G079
| ML20126G079 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Farley  |
| Issue date: | 03/13/1981 |
| From: | James O'Reilly NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II) |
| To: | Mcdonald R ALABAMA POWER CO. |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20126G083 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8103260355 | |
| Download: ML20126G079 (4) | |
See also: IR 05000348/1980041
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UNITED STATES
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
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REGION 11
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101 MARIETTA ST.. N.W., SUITE 3100
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ATLANTA, G EORGIA 30303
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MAR 131981'
In Reply Refer To:
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50-348/20-41
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50-364/30-52
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Alabama Power Company
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ATTN:
R. P. Mcdonald
Vice Presicent-Nuclear Generation
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P. O. Box 2641
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Birmingham, AL 35291
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Gentlemen:
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Subject: Health Physics Appraisal
During the period of December 1-12, 1950, NRC conducted a special appraisal of
the health physics program at tne Farley f acility. This appraisal was performed
in lieu of certain routine inspections normally conducted in the area of health
physics.
Areas examined during this appraisal are described in the enclosed
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report (50-348/80-41 and 50-364/80-52). Within these areas, the appraisal team
reviewed selected procedures and representative records, observed work practices,
and interviewed personnel.
It is recommended that you carefully review the
findings of this report for consideration in improving your health physics
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program.
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The appraisal conducted at' the Farley f acility was part of the NRC's general
program to strengthen the health physics program at nuclear power plants. As a
first step in this effort, the Office of Inspection and Enforcement is conducting
these special appraisals of the health physics programs at all operating power
reacter sites. These appraisals were previously identified to you in a letter
dated January 22, 1980, from Mr. Victor Stello, Jr. , Director, NRC Office of
Inspection and Enforcement. One of the objectives of the health physics apprais-
als is to evaluate the overall adequacy and effectivenss of the total health
physics program at each site and to icentify areas of weakness that need to ce
strengthened. We also intend to use the findings from these appraisals as a
basis for improving NRC requirements and guidance. Consequently, our appraisal
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encompassed certain areas which may not be explicitly addressed by current NRC
requirements. The next step that is planned in this overall effort will be the
imposition of a requirement by the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR)
that all licensees develop, submit to the NRC. for approval, and implement a
Radiation Protection Plan.
Each licensee will be excected to include in the
Raciation Protection Plan sufficient measures to provide lasting corrective
action for any significant weaknesses identif.ied curing the special appraisals of
the current Health physics program. Guidance for the development of this plan
will incorporate pertinent findings from the special appraisals and will be
issued for ouclic comment prior to tne end of this calendar year.
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MAR 131981
Alabama Power Company
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The findings of this appraisal at the Farley f acility indicate that, although
your overall healtn physics program is adequate for present operations, signi-
ficant weaknesses exist. These include the following:
!
a.
A formal on-tne-job training and qualification program has not been
developed and implemented for chemistry and health physics technicians;
b.
Administrative controls have not been established to assure that radioactive
materials are not inadvertently introduced into the plant's demineralized
water system by the improper use of temporary connections; and
c.
The specific duties of the Radiation Detection Man anc Nuclear Operative
were not adequately evaluated in the development of criteria for crediting
experience in these jobs in meeting the experience recuirements of ANS
N18.1-1971 for chemistry and health physics technicians.
These items were identified to your plant management during the exit interview on
December 12, 1980.
They were also discussed with you by telechone on
December 23, 1980, by R. C. Lewis of the Region II office. The results of this
conversation and our understanding of your planned corrective actions were also
discussed in a letter to you from James P. O'Reilly dated December 24, 1980.
These findings are discussed in more detail in Appendix A, " Notice of Significant
Appraisal Findings". We recognize that regulatory requirements pertaining to the
significant weaknesses identified in Appendix A may not currently exist.
How-
ever, to assist us in determining whether adequate protection will be provided
for the health and safety of workers and the public, you are requested to submit
a written statement within twenty-five (25) days of your receipt of this letter-
describing your corrective action for the significant weakensses identified in
Appendix A,.. including: (1) steps which have been taken; (2) steps which will be
taken; and (3) a schedule for completion of action.
This request is made pur-
suant to Section 50.54(f) of Part 50, Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations.
During the inspection, it.was found that certain activities under your license
appear to violation NRC requirements.
These items and reference to pertinent
requirements are listed in the Notice of Violation enclosed herewith as Appen-
cix B.
A written response is required. Elements to oe incluceo in your response
are delineated in Appencix B.
Our letter of February 4,
1980, identified a
similar. violation of the plant's Technical Specifications 6.8.1, in that written
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procedures which govern the release. of systems for maintenance were not fol-
lowed.
In your letter of February 21, 1980, you indicated that corrective
action was completed on February 8,1980.
During the appraisal the inspectors
identified.four instances whicit occurred af ter February 8,1980, where the main-
tenance work requests were released for work without first properly isolating
the appropriate system or component, in violation of plant procedures.
The
corrective action. taken apparently failed to prevent a recurrence.
In your
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response to the Notice ofViolation you should pay particular attention to
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Alabama Power Company
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MAR 13.1981
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those actions which - would provide assurance that systems . or components are
procerly. isolated orior to maintenance and procerly returned to service fol-
. lowing maintenance.
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In accordance with iection 2.790 of.the NRC's " Rules of Practice," Part 2,-Title
10, Code of Federal Regulations, a copy of this letter and the enclosures will be
placed in the NRC's Puolic Document Room.
If this material contains any infor-
mation 'that you celieve to be proprietary, it is necessary that you make a-
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written application within 20 days to tnis office to withhold such information
from public disclosure, ,Any sucn application must be accompanied by an affidavit
executed by the owner of the information, which identifies the document or part
sought to be withheld,' and.which contains a statement of reasons which addresses
with specificity the items which will be considered by the Commission as listed.
in Subparagraph (b)(4) of Section '2.790.
The information sought to be withheld
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shall be incorocrated as far as-possible into a separate part of the affidavit.
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If we do not hear from you in this regard witnin the specified period, tne report
will be placed in the Public Document Room.
Should you have any questions c;ncerning this a:praisal, se will be pleased to
discuss tnem with you.
Sincerely,
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MC@el
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mes P. O'Reilly
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D ector
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Enclosures:
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1.
~ Appendix A, Notice of
Significant Findings
2.
Aependix B, Notice of Violation
3.
Office of Inspection and Enforcement
Inspection Report Nos. 50-348/80-41-
and 50-364/80-52
cc w/ encl:
W. O. Whitt, Executive Vice President
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F. L. Clayton, Jr. , Senior. Vice Presiden
t
H. O. Thrash,' Manager-Nuclear Generation
O. D. Kingsley, Jr. , Manager, Nuclear. Engineering
and Tecnnical Services
J.~ W. McGowan, Manager-Operations
Quality Assurance
W. G. Hai rston,11I,. P.l ant. Manager
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W. C. Petty, Manager-Quality Assurance
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(Design and Construction)
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R. E. Hollancs. Jr. .. QA Suoervisor
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APPENDIX A
NOTICE OF SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS
Alabama Power Ccmpany
License Nos. NPF-2
Farley Facility
and NPF-8
Based on the Health Physics Appraisal conducted December 1-12, 1980, the fol-
lowing items appear to recuire corrective actions.
A.
A formal on-the-job training and qualification program has not been devel-
=ced and im;lemented for chemistry and ,salth :hysics technicians.
B.
Acminis rative controls have not been established to assure that radioactive
materials are not inadvertently introduced into the plant's demineralized
water system by the improper use of temporary connections.
C.
Tne specific cuties of the Radiation Detection Man and Nuclear Operative
have not been adequately evaluated in the development of criteria for
crediting experience in these jobs in meeting the experience requirements of
ANSI N;3.1-1971 for chemistry and health physics technicians.
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