ML20137C711

Responds to NRC Ltr Re Violations Noted in Insp Rept 50-131/97-02.Corrective Actions:Operator License Status Will Come Under Review by Reactor Safeguards Committee During Annual Audit of Performance Training & Qualifications

ML20137C711
Person / Time
Site:	05000131
Issue date:	03/14/1997
From:	Phillips J DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER, OMAHA
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
References
NUDOCS 9703250096
Download: ML20137C711 (6)

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,O DEPARTMENTOFVETERANS AFFAIRS e*

Medical Center 4101 Woolworth Avenue Omaha NE 68105 March 14,1997 in Reply Refer To:

636/151

• U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

, ATTN: Document Control Desk Washington, D.C. 20555

< SUBJ: Reply to a Notice of Violation REF: NRC Report 50-131/9702-01

License R-57 (Docket #50-131) _

1 i The following response is in accordance with the provisions of 10 CFR 2.201. The term

" Operator B" as defined in NRC Report 50-131/9702-01 is used in this letter. ,

l. It hrd been the belief of both operators that a notice of impending license expiration would be sent by the NRC or that the license would automatically be extended. This was based on -

the NRC policy change regarding the on-site retesting of each operator prior to license renewal. It was erroneously assumed that the entire relicensing procedure was being changed.

2. The Reactor Facility staff took the following corrective actions as detailed in the letter of January 17, 1997:

a) The staff at the Omaha VA Medical Nuclear Reactor Facility ensured that the reactor remained in a " secured" condition until the Nuclear Regulatory Commission reinstated Operator B's Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) license.

b) Operator B applied for a Senior Reactor Operator's license.

c) Operator B received his SRO license on February 13,1997.

3. Operator license status will come under review by the Reactor Safeguards Committee (RSC) during the annual audit of the performance training and qualifications of the entire facility staff (see Appendix A). { Refer T.S. 6.5.3. (2)}. The annual performance evaluation conducted by the Research Service will contain a modified Performance Plan which will name the maintaining of an operator's license as one critical element for review. While this requirement is currently in the position description, it will be added to the formal Performance Plan.

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U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Page 2 March 14,1997

4. The before mentioned audit was approved by the RSC Chairman on March 4,1997. The audit will be subject to review by the RSC during the next quarterly meeting in March 1997.

h&P y John J. Phillips Director

Enclosure:

Appendix A i i

cc: Regional Administrator Alexander Adams, Jr., Senior Project Manager I

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I APPENDIX A 1

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REACTOR SAFEGUARDS COMMITTEE AUDIT - T.S. 6.5.3 (2)

T.S. 6.5.3 (2) The performance training and qualifications of the entire facility staff at least once a year.

PERFORMANCE TRAINING licensed facility staff:

1. Holds a current Operators License. If less than one year from expiration inform the committee of the fact so that renewal procedures will be conducted.

operator name RO/SRO issuance date expiration date renewal submitted date

2. Each licensee has performed the functions of an operator or senior operator for a minimum of four hours per calendar quarter in accordance with 10 CFR 55.53(e).

operator name first quarter second quarter third quarter fourth quarter i

3. Successfully undergone the licensed Requalification program (see attachment). j There shall be an attachment for each licensed operate .

non-licensed facility staff:

4. Reference Facility Emergency Plan items 10.1 to 10.1.1.9. Biannual training of emergency procedures.

a) Effects of radiation, initial and latent b) Safe handling of radioisotopes including time, distance, and shielding c) Manner by which contamination can occur d) Response to emergency alarms e) Role in an emergency i f) Methods of decontamination i g) Methods of reading radiation meters and recording results l h) How to make an area survey i) Handling of contaminated injured persons NAME DATE OF LAST TRAINING

t' OUALIFICATIONS

5. Reactor supervisor a) Does the Reactor Supervisor rneet the qualifications as specified in section 6.3 of the facility technical specifications?

i) O Yes O No

6. Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) a) Do the SRO's meet the qualifications as specified in section 6.3 of the facility technical specifications?

i) O Yes O No

7. Reactor Operator (RO) a) Do the RO's meet the qualifications as specified in section 6.3 of the facility technical specifications?

b) O Yes O No

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• ' i ATTACHMENT  ;

1. Lectures and tutoring .

I a) The operator has received lectures as outlined in the Requalification Plan i i) O Yes O No ii) Date oflastlecture

2. Manipulation of controls a) The operator has made control manipulations as specified in the Requalification Plan on a monthly basis l} O Yes O No ii) Date oflast manipulation

3. Understanding of operating procedures training on a monthly basis a) O Yes O No b) Date oflast training

4. Discussion of facility design changes, procedure changes and facility license changes -

as they occur, a) O Yes O No b) Date oflast discussion

5. Review of abnormal and emergency procedures per calendar quarter a) O Yes O No b) Date oflast review l

6. Evaluation i a) Written exam i) O Yes O No ii) Date of last exam b) Observation and evaluation of performance - 5 observations per year. Operator is currently in compliance with performance schedule.

i) O Yes O No li) Date oflast observation i

Name of operator - - .

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-1 Operator License #

Operator Docket # J J

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