ML20137D687
| ML20137D687 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07109239 |
| Issue date: | 03/17/1997 |
| From: | Fici J WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY, DIV OF CBS CORP. |
| To: | NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| References | |
| CON-NRC-97-008, CON-NRC-97-8 NUDOCS 9703260266 | |
| Download: ML20137D687 (3) | |
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Westinghouse Drawer R Electric Corporation Colunha,SC 29205 (803)Tl6-2610 l
March 17,1997 NRC 97-008 j
i Director, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards l
U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555 i
Gentlemen:
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Subject:
10CFR71.95a Report Pursuant to the provisions of section 95(a) of Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 71, Packacine and Transnortation of Radioactive Material, Westinghouse is making notification of a violation of Shipping Container Certificate of Compliance USA /9239/AF. Title 10, CFR, Part 71.95 states that "The Licensee shall report to the Director, Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, USNRC, within thirty days any instance in which there is significant reduction in l
the effectiveness of any authorized package during use."
f The Appendix to this document describes the nature of the violation, and gives information concerning corrective actions, and actions taken to prevent recurrence.
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f I hereby affimi that the statements made in this report are true and correct to the best of my I
knowledge and belief. Should you have any questions, or require additional information, please telephone Mr. Wilbur Goodwin of my staff at (803) 776-2610, ext. 3282.
j Sincerely, t
W STINGH USE ELECTRIC CORPORATION
,A.
a ies A. Fici, Plant Manager
'olumbia Fuel Fabrication Facility 1
cc:
U.s. Nuclear Regulaiay Commission Regional Administrator 10: Marietta Street. NW Atlanta.o A 30323 D\\
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,'. Ccrtificate of Compliance # USA /9239/AF
- March 17,1997 APPENDIX i
WESTINGHOUSE REPORT IN ACCORDANCE WITH 10CFR 71.95 PACKAGING AND TRANSPORTATION OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL 1.
NATURE OF VIOLATION On or about February 18,1997, it was determined that two model MCC shipping containers had been used for fuel shipments which had not received a periodic (every five years) detailed re-inspection within the allotted time, as required by Shipping Container Certifbate of Compliance USA /9239/AF. The Certificate requires that, every five years, each shipping container be subjected to a detailed re-inspection, including verification of the existing configuration to drawing requirements, and a detailed inspection of the gadolinium absorber plates.
The two shipping containers in question, containers M140 and M230, had been used to ship fuel on February 3,1997. The re-inspection periods for these containers expired January 8,1997 and January 16,1997, respectively.
II.
REASON FOR VIOLATION The violation occurred because :
1.
In May 1996, the decision was made to phase out the detailed periodic re-4 inspection program in favor of a more robust routine refurbishment program. It was decided that the proposal to make the transition would be included in the License Renewal Application, which was to be submitted in October 1996. The transition would occur when the Application was approved, and a new Certificate issued.
2.
On October 1,1996, Westinghouse submitted an Application of Renewal and Change to the MCC Certificate of Compliance USA /9239/AF.
3.
On October 3,1996, NRC acknowledged receipt of the application, and, since it had been received at least 30 days prior to the expiration of the Certificate of Compliance, NRC granted an extension of the Certificate until the Application could be reviewed and approved.
4.
In December 1996, the periodic re-inspection program was eliminated and replaced by the refurbishment program. This was done without full realization that the existing Certificate was extended based on timely renewal, and that all provisions of the "old" Certificate remained in effect.
5.
Shipping containers which came due for their periodic (five year) re-inspection remained in service because it was thought that the re-inspection program was no longer in effect.
6.
On February 3,1997, two containers, M140 and M230, were included in a fuel shipment.
7.
During the week of February 3-6, an NRC Region II Inspector reviewing NRC Certificates of Compliance for shipping containers determined that Westinghouse had prematurely phased out the re-inspection program. Since it could not be determined by the time of the inspection close-out meeting whether any l
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[. Certificate of Compliance # USA /9239/AF March 17,1997
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unauthorized shipping containers had been used for shipping fuel, the NRC Inspector identified the issue as an Unresolved Item.
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8.
On February 8,1997, the two shipping containers (M140 and M230) were returned empty to the site.
9.
On February 18,1997, it was brought to the attention of Regulatory Affairs that the two unauthorized shipping containers had been used for fuel shipments. NRC j
Region 11 and the NRC Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards were notified via telephone of the violation.
III.
IMMEDIATE ACTION TAKEN AND RESULTS ACHIEVED l.
On February 18,1997, the Container Preparation and Packing Supervisor was directed to expedite identification of all shipping containers that had, or were about to, exceed the five year re-inspection period, take them out of service, and positively identify them as not usable.
I 2.
The periodic re-inspection program was re-instituted.
I IV.
ACTIONS TO PREVENT RECURRENCE 1.
Additional shipping containers are to be removed from service as their five year certification expires until this matter is fully resolved via the Certificate renewal process..
V.
DATE WIIEN FULL COMPLIANCE WAS ACHIEVED 1.
Compliance was achieved on February 21,1997, when the Container Preparation and Packing Supervisor reported completion of the task. He had identified 17 shipping containers that had, or would exceed their five year " window" imminently, and had them taken out of service and tagged out.
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