ML20137G055
| ML20137G055 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png |
| Issue date: | 08/20/1985 |
| From: | Martin T NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | Murphy W VERMONT YANKEE NUCLEAR POWER CORP. |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20137G059 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8508270158 | |
| Download: ML20137G055 (2) | |
See also: IR 05000271/1985021
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9
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AUG 2 01985
Docket No. 50-271
Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation
ATTN:
Mr. Warren P. Murphy
Vice President and Manager
of Operations
RD 5, Box 169
Ferry Road
Brattleboro, Vermont 05301
Gentlemen:
Subject:
Inspection 50-271/85-21
This letter and attached inspection report presents findings of a special
inspection conducted by Dr. W. Pasciak of this office on August 9, 1985, at
the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station, Vernon, Vermont, of activities
authorized by NRC License No. DPR-28, and also refers to the discussion of our
findings with Mr. W. Conway at the conclusion of the inspection.
Areas examined during this inspection are described in the NRC Region I Inspec-
tion Report which is enclosed with this letter.
The inspection of your Radio-
logical Safety Program consisted of selective examination of procedures and
representative records, interviews with personnel, and observations by the
inspector in connection with the circumstances surrounding the August 8, 1985,
unplanned whole-body exposure of a technician.
,
Our review of the circumstances surrounding the August 8, 1985, unplanned
whole-body exposure of a chemistry-health physics technician indicates that
inadequate communication of precautionary instructions to the technician was
the prime causal factor resulting in the unplanned exposure. Although the
technician did not receive exposures in excess of regulatory limits, we are
concerned that the circumstances surrounding this event created a substantial
potential for such exposures. The actual radiation levels emanating from
equipment in the room were high enough so that it is fortuitous that an occu-
pational exposure in excess of NRC regulations did not occur. We are partic-
ularly concerned that health physics supervision allowed a technician of lim-
ited experience into the TIP room while aware of the potential for high ex-
posure rates. We are also concerned that no special formal procedure existed
for e7try into this area. Although this finding was identified by you, we are
concerned with your lack of management controls that failed to provide adequate
precautionary instructions. We are aware that you have already taken interim
measures to correct this problem and are in the process of finding a long-term
solution. The apparent violation identified in our review of this event is
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ADOCK 05000271
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discussed in the enclosed report. The need for and nature of appropriata
enforcement action relative to the apparent violation will be the subject of
separate correspondence at a later time.
Sincerely,
Qiirini signed BY 8
Thomas T. Martin, Director
Division of Radiation Safety
and Safeguards
Enclosure: NRC Region I Inspection Report No. 50-271/85-21
cc w/ encl:
C
Mr. R. W. Capstick, Licensing Engineer
Mr. W. F. Conway, President and Chief Executive Officer
Mr. J. P. Pelletier, Plant Manager
Mr. Donald Hunter, Vice President
Mr. Cort Richardson, Vermont Public
Interest Research Group, Inc.
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Public Document Room (PDR)
Local Public Document Room (LPDR)
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Nuclear Safety Information Center (NSIC)
NRC Resident Inspector
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State of New Hampshire
State of Vermont
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Region I Docket Room (with concurrences)
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Senior Operations Officer (w/o encis)
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Section Chief, DPRP
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