ML20127F798
| ML20127F798 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Midland, 05000000 |
| Issue date: | 03/03/1982 |
| From: | Foster J NRC OFFICE OF INVESTIGATIONS (OI) |
| To: | NRC OFFICE OF INVESTIGATIONS (OI) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20127F538 | List: |
| References | |
| FOIA-85-213 NUDOCS 8506250258 | |
| Download: ML20127F798 (3) | |
Text
EIS Fils 8212 2
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g NOT DISCLOSr REGION 111 3
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Confidential seg OLEN ELLYN, ILUNols 80137 gg March 3, 1982 MEMORANDUM FOR:
Region III Files, Midland FROM:
James E. Foster, Investigator
SUBJECT:
ALLEGATIONS RE WELDING AT MIDLAND on March 2, at approximately 1,:05 p.m., a conference call was established, with Robert Warnick, William Key, Duane Danielson, Bill Paton, Barbara Stamaris, and myself and E. Earl Kent participating. The purpose of the call was to discuss Mr. Kent's concerns relative to welding deficiencies at the Midland site.
Kent indicated that he had approximately 16 months previous nuclear inspec-tion experience, having worked at the San Onofre and Palisades plants. He stated that he started work at Midland during December 1981, and was initially advised of his termination on February 25, 1982. However, his termination was " frozen" until March 1, 1982 when he objected to the termination and expressed concerns over the adequacy of Midland welds. He indicated he had contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation on February 26, 1982 and re-quested protection due to his fears of personal harm (Region III was noti-fied of this contact mid-morning March 2, 1982). He stated that on March 1, 1982, Don Daniels of the Ann Arbor office of Bechtel interviewed him, discussed his concerns, and then had advised him that he was formally terminated.
Kent indicated that he was a Senior QC Engineer for Bechtel at Midland, and his duties included visually inspecting welds. During his inspections, he noticed socket welds on safety-related lines which he felt were unaccept-ably undersized. He described this problem as widespread and generic to socket welds at Midland (no s g areas or lines were provided) as " socket fillet gauges" were not bein ut:.
.. zed during inspections. He also discussed his concern that, on some socket welds, the rim of the socket had been melted.
He indicated that two informal " audits", where a number of socket welds were selected for reinspection, had indicated several welds'of each sample were deficient and required rework or rewelding. These welds had already been inspected and approved as acceptable by the other routine inspection personnel.
Kent stated that individuals by the names of Kunski and Schulz had participated in these " audits" and would verify his observations.
DO NOT DISCLOSE 8506250258 850418 Contains identity of PDR FOIA confidential sourco GARDE 85-213 PDR
4 EIS File 8212 DO NOT DISCLOSE Contains identitu Region III Files, Midland '
confidential scu'rc.
i Kent discussed his impression that the individuals who had performed the i
previous inspections did not understand the requirements for socket welds or the proper use of weld measuring gauges. He questioned their qualifications as inspectors, noting they also made frequent spelling errors. Kent stated he had brought the problem of undersized socket welds to the attention of his immediate supervisor, Bill Creel, without satisfaction. He indicated that Creel informed him that all of the welds had been inspected and approved by inspectors who were knowledgeable and qualified to do such inspections.
Kent said he also discussed the problem with Paul Schulz and Eugene Smith, j
Project Field QC. He indicated he had requested that all of the already accepted socket welds be re-inspected for adequacy.
i Kent also indicated he had some second-hand information (an overheard con-versation) which indicated that some problem had been found during a review of rad..'Jraphs of containment liner plate welds. He did not know the nature j
of the problem, or whether corrective action had been taken. He believed that the problem had been identified on February 12, 1982, and other inspectors 1.
would be aware of the conversation and the nature of the problem identified.
l He also stated that he had noted a main steam pipe, just outside of contain-ment, before the first relief valve, which had a weld with unacceptable concavity. He indicated that he showed this weld to an individual nicknamed
" Dutch", and " Dutch" agreed the weld in question was unacceptable.
" Dutch" was described as being in another group (a technical support group), and had a last name beginning with " Van...".
i He indicated he felt that some pipe hangers were of questionable construction, in that the hanger welds only encompassed the web of the hanger, with no welding on the hanger flange. He characterized these hangers as " half welded" (no specific areas were provided).
Kent stated that he had not discussed any of his concerns with the site ANI or l
NRC Resident Inspector. He indicated he had not been aware that the NRC Resident was available.
1 Kent said that he would be looking for employment, and would probably leave the Midland area in the near future. He provided his home address and tele-3 phone for subsequent contacts: 9809 Spruce Street, Cypress, California 90630, telephone (714)828-8064.
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,- y Region III personnel committed to perform an inspection of cocket welds, attempt to locate and inspect the questioned main. steam pipe weld, and look into the alleged problem related to welds on the containment 'iner plates.
The call was concluded at approximately 1.53 p.m.
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