ML20128P774

Forwards Observation Rept 70-7002/96-05 on 960730-0904.No Violations Noted

ML20128P774
Person / Time
Site:	Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant
Issue date:	10/15/1996
From:	Pederson C NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:	John Miller UNITED STATES ENRICHMENT CORP. (USEC)
Shared Package
ML20128N721	List: ML20128N717 ML20128N722 ML20128P774
References
NUDOCS 9610180106
Download: ML20128P774 (2)

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UNITED STATES gi t** "% Ig NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

E REGION Ill i

' r*

i.[ 801 WARRENVILLE ROAD

/ uSLE, ILLINOIS 60532-4351

, October 15, 1996 f

Mr. J. H. Miller Vice President - Production United States Enrichment Corporation -

Two Democracy Center

. 6903 Rockledge Drive Bethesda, MD 20817 i

SUBJECT:

PORTSMOUTH OBSERVATION REPORT 70-7002/96005(DNMS) i

Dear Mr. Miller:

This refers to the observations and reviews conducted from July 20, 1996 through September 4, 1996, of United States Enrichment Corporation activities at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant. Our observations were discussed i- with you and Messrs. Dale Allen and Ron Gaston and members of their staffs

during, and at the conclusion of the observation period.

! Areas reviewed during the observation period are identified in the report.

1 Within these areas, the activities consisted of selective examinations of

procedures and representative records, interviews with personnel, and '

observations during various shifts.

) Based upon the areas observed, numerous problems were identified in the conduct of operations. Specifically, a failure to follow an Operational Safety Requirement was the-result of poor log keeping, poor turnovers, j inconsistent use of tagouts, and a lack of questioning attitude demonstrated 4

-by front line managers and operators. These items are of concern because they

indicate a continued lack of rigor in operations.

1 In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the Commission's regulations and the ,

Department of Energy - Nuclear Regulatory Commission Memorandum of Understanding for the gaseous diffusion plants, a copy of this letter and the enclosed observation report will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room.

We have also provided the Department of Energy (D0E) a copy of this report for their review, l

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Mr. J. H. Miller We will gladly discuss any questions you have concerning these observations.

Sincerely, M

C la D. Pederson, Director Division of Nuclear Materials Safety l Docket No. 70-7002

Enclosure:

Observation Report No. 70-7002/96005(DNHS) cc w/ enc 1: S. A. Polston, Paducah General Manager D. I. Allen, Portsmouth General Manager R. W. Gaston, Portsmouth Nuclear Regulatory Affairs Manager R. L. Woolle;*, Manager, Nuclear Regulatory Assurance and Policy, USEC C. B. Sawyer, NMSS cc w/o encl: J. D. Jackson, DOE bcc w/ enc 1: A. B. Beach, RIII R. J. Caniano, RIII B. A. Burgess, RIII l PUBLIC (IE07)

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