IR 05000057/1985002
| ML20138Q792 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | University of Buffalo |
| Issue date: | 12/13/1985 |
| From: | Amato C, Craig Gordon, Harpster T, Harpster T, Rich Smith NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20138Q791 | List: |
| References | |
| 50-057-85-02, 50-57-85-2, NUDOCS 8512300005 | |
| Download: ML20138Q792 (9) | |
Text
.
.. -
.
!
.
U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
REGION I
Report No. 50-57/85-02 .
Docket N License N R-77 Priority --
Category F Licensee: State University of New Yo d Rotary Road Buffalo, New York 14214 Facility Name: Buffalo Materials Research Center Appraisal At: Buffalo, New York Appraisal Conducted: August 26-29, 1985
,
Inspectors:
R . 'H f
Smith, Emefgency Prepa fg ness
/2 N
,
' fatg eDM C.'G. Amito, Emergency Prep & redness
/Zfb f dits /
-
/ usY C./Z7 Gofdo T Emergency'P?eparedness /2 /3 $$
Specialist / datg Approved by: [ A 1 3 T. L. Harps.er Chief, /dafe '
Emergency Prei aredness Section, DRSS Appraisal Summary: Apprais on August 26-29, 1985 (Report No. 50-57/85-02)
'
Areas Inspected: Special announced emergency preparedness appraisal regarding the implementation of the Emergency Preparedness Progra !
! Results: No violations were identifie The emergency preparedness program in general .provides reasonable assurance that the emergency response organiza-tion can respond in the event of a radiological emergency.
.
!
'
U312:300005 851:216 ~-
PDR ADOCK 05COOO57 >
,
G PDR
>
, ..- -
- , -- ,- . . - - _r., . _ _ . _
-
- . - , , _ - _ _ , . _,, - -- -
.
_ . _
. . .- - _ . - - . . . - . . - ._ . - .-
.. .
'
. +
,
,.
!
DETAILS L -
1.0' Emergency Organization
The inspectors reviewed the overall emergency organization described in
'
Section 3 of the Emergency Plan dated July 31, 1984, and noted that
- appropriate authorities, assignments, and functional areas have been established. However, lines of succession were described for only one of 4 +
the three key response positions. Also, the role of the State of New York
, Department of Health (NYSDH) during an emergency was not clarified.
> ,
,
Two open items which require licensee attention are identified:
the Emergency Plan should contain a single succession list for each of the following key emergency response organization positions:
!. Emergency Director;
! Health Physicist; Reactor operators. (50-57/85-02-01); *
I identify specific functions, assistance, and support of emergency prepare-
.
I=
'
dness that the NYSDH would provide in the event of an emergency and include this in the Emergency Plan (50-57/85-02-02).
j 2.0 Onsite Organization i The inspectors reviewed the description and responsibilities of the
.
onsite organization as shown in the Emergency Plan. The_ inspectors held
- discussions and conducted walkthroughs with onsite response personnel
, having key positions within the organization and noted that response
! personnel interviewed demonstrated adequate knowledge to perform effec-tively in the emergency organization. The operators were not familiar
! 'with the concept of Emergency Action Levels (EAL's) and the correlation
!
- of these with initiating conditions. This lack of familiarity and under-i standing is attributable to the delay in training staff in the revised
! 1984 facility emergency plan and procedures. Since long existing emer-gency procedure were included in the Emergency Plan (under slightly dif-
. <
ent titles), the lack of familiarity and understanding did not impair
'
emergency response effectiveness during walkthrough s
'
Based o' the above findings, this portion of the licensee's program is j aCCepttM '.
,
3.0 Fire Protection The inspectors reviewed Section 3.4.3.A of the Emergency Plan, Emergency
, Procedure #6 (dated February,1985), interviewed members of the Buffalo
Fire Department, and determined that adequate support exists for providing
,
fire protection services to the Buffalo Materials Research Center (BMRC).
Fire department representatives had a. good understanding of their onsite
!
responsibilities and identified
,
c .
l i l
._ ., . ~ . . . _ _ _. _ _._ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ .._
.. .
BMRC staff members who would provide instructions regarding radiation safety during firefighting activities. An ongoing training program for the Fire Department is provided by the New York State Department c'
Health together with the licensee which covers basic radiation health principles and concepts, a description and tour of the reactor facility, and expected response to emergencies involving radioactive material Based on the above findings, this portion of the licensee's program is acceptabl .0 Police Protection The inspectors reviewed Section 3.4.2.C of the Energency Plan and inter-viewed members of the State University Public Safety Department (PSD) and determined that adequate support will be provided for traffic and access control, and assistance in facility and public evacuation. The Public Safety Department also provides essential communications services and initial notifications to onsite organizations such as the Environmental Health and Safety Department and University Health Services Departmen Officers of the PSD are the first offsite responders to report to the BMRC in the event of an emergenc Discussions with PSD members indi-cated that procedures provide for 24 hour2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> coverage. Training is provided on an annual basis and appears effective since those individuals inter-viewed understood their emergency duties and responsibilitie Based on the above findings, this portion of the licensee's program is acceptabl .0 Information Releases to the News Media and Public The State University News Bureau has the responsibility to prepare and issue press releases and other information to the public based on infor-mation obtained from the Emergency Director. The inspectors interviewed the News Bureau Director and determined that an adequate interface exists between the News Bureau and BMRC to carry out the public affairs function during emergencies. The News Bureau staff also understand their duties and responsibilities in accident situations and have participated in facility drill Based on the above findings, this portion of the licensee's program is acceptabl .0 Notification and Activation of the Emergency Organization The inspectors reviewed Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Emergency Plan, and determined that a discussion of emergency communications equipment is lacking. The inspectors checked communications capability and found it to consist of commercial phones, security alarms, portable radios, in-
, struction alarms, and fire alarms. An undated emergency call-out list
.
. -
_ . -- .
.. .
,
.
4 l l
!
with phone numbers was available in the control room and a second list in the Health Physics Office. Preformed messages are not used for initial notification and the posted home phone list was in need of minor revisio Two open items which require licensee attention are identified:
preformed messages should be developed for initial emergency communication (50-57-85-02-03);
'
the telephone lists should be dated and show office, home and pager numbers
(50-57-85-02-04).
7.0 Identification and Classification Procedures The inspectors reviewed applicable sections of the Emergency Plan, Emergency Procedures, Abnormal Procedures and interviewed individuals who are responsible for identification and classification of emergency event During interviews with personnel who are responsible for identification and classification, it was noted that most were unfamiliar with the connection between Emergency Action Levels and initiating condition One open item which requires licensee attention is identified:
A table or chart correlating initiating conditions with an Emergency Classification System should be included in the Plan and an Emergency Procedure should be provided for implementation (50-57/85-02-05).
8.0 Protective Equipment i
The inspectors reviewed section 9.0 of the Emergency Plan and applicable Emergency Procedures, toured the BMRC and the adjacent Howe Facility, inspected radiological survey instrumentation, and lockers storing emergency supplies used during emergencies; inspected the calibration facility and records of calibration and operability tests of monitoring equipment; and held discussions with BMRC health physicists regarding inventory control, equipment capabilities, and sampling techniques. The inspectors determined that adequate protective supplies (respiratory protection equipment, protective clothing, personnel monitoring equipment, and survey meters) were available for support personnel to respond to emergencies within the BMRC facility. However, the inspectors found that provisions were not in place for assembly, dispatch, and carrying out the functions of onsite and offside field teams, and that equipment and supplies were not designated to monitor radiation dose rates offsite. In addition, portable radiation instruments used to detect radiation levels throughout the BMRC did not have adequate sensitivity to monitor expected dose rates as described in Emergency Action Levels.
!
!
,
$
L
.. -. ._ -_ . . .
.. .
.
.
Two open items which require licensee attention are identified:
provide Emergency Procedures and designate protective equipment and supplies to carry out essential functions of both onsite and offsite field teams (50-57/85-02-06).
provide portable equipment to monitor radiation dose rates during emergencies which are described in Section 5 of the Emergency Plan '
and associated emergency action levels (50-57/85-02-07).
9.0 Emergency Support Center The inspectors reviewed Section 9 of the Emergency Plan, held discussions with licensee onsite response personnel, toured the BMRC Emergency Support Center, (ESC) and determined that the ESC is adequate to provide radio-
, logical assessment, coordination of the response, and implementation of corrective actions during an emergency. Communications equipment in the BMRC is availabli so that information and instructions to offsite support groups is assure Based on the above findings, this portion of the licensee's program is acceptabl !
l 10.0 Decontamination Capabilities i
'
The inspectors reviewed Section 8 " Decontamination" of the Emergency Plan, Emergency Procedures #2 and 3, held discussions with both licensee and medical support personnel, toured the decontamination and treatment facil-ities located in the Howe building and also in the Veterans Administration Medical Center, inspected decontamination supplies and equipment, and determined that the licensee has adequate provisions in place to minimize the spread of contamination and provide for onsite and offsite decontam-ination of personne Based upon the above findings, this portion of the licensee's program is acceptabl .0 Equipment Maintenance and Calibration
.
'
The inspectors held discussions with licensee health physics personnel,
! toured the instrument calibration facility, reviewed the procedure for operability and calibration checks, inspected radiation monitoring equip-
,
'
ment for function and operation, and determined that equipment for radiation monitoring and surveiilance is adequate and would be operable for use during emergencie Based upon the above findings, this portion of the licensee's program is acceptable.
i
!
i I
_ _ _ _ _ - - _ . - - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _
-- . - . . .
i
.
12.0 Evacuation The inspectors interviewed licensee personnel, reviewed Emergency Pro-cedure No. 1, " Staff General Emergency Procedure," and determined that there were adequate fire and evacuation alarms. It was also noted that the alarm systems were routinely teste Based on the above findings, this portion of the licensee's program is acceptabl .0 Accountability of Personnel The inspectors contacted personnel, reviewed the Emergency Plan and pertinent procedures and noted that a means had been established to i accour.t for personnel who may have been within the controlled area. It was determined during the appraisal that the system was maintained con-l tinuousl Provisions were also provided for surveying potentially con-
taminated personnel.
Based on the above findings, this portion of the licensee's program is j_ acceptabl .0 Assembly Areas f
The inspectors interviewed licensee personnel, reviewed the Emergency Plan
!
and pertinent emergency procedures, and examined the primary and alternate i assembly and re-assembly areas. The size of the areas appeared to be
,
adequate for use during a radiological emergenc Based on the above findings, this portion of the licensee's program is acceptabl .0 Personnel Monitoring
.
The inspectors contacted licensee personnel, reviewed the Emergency Plan
- and appropriate procedures and noted that there were provisions for moni-
'
toring.all individuals evacuating the controlled area. It was also noted
,
'
that provisions were established for monitoring potentially contaminated
-
individuals at the primary and alternate assembly areas. The inspectors determined that all individuals authorized to' enter the controlled area routinely are issued dosimetry and provisions have been established for offsite emergency support perronnel to receive dosimetry when reporting to the sit Based on the above findings, thi; portion of the licensee's program is acceptable.
5
.
. ._ _ . ._
.. .
.
16.0 Personnel Exposure Control The inspectors. held discussions with licensee personnel, reviewed appro-priate sections of the Emergency Plan and noted that only the Emergency
'
Director is authorized to approve any individual exceeding 3 Rems per Quarter of whole body exposure. There were provisions for access control i to contaminatad and high radiation area Based on the above findings, this portion of the licensee's program is 4 acceptabl .0 Medical Support, Hospital, and_ Ambulance Services
.
'
The inspectors reviewed Section 7 of the Emergency Plan and Emergency Procedure #2 (dated February 1985) including Appendices A-D, toured the
- area in the V.A. Medical Center designated fo- handling contaminated /
- injured individuals, and interviewed medical personnel who would be i involved in treating radiation accident patients. The inspectors deter-r,,ined that adequate medical support exists for managing individuals in-Jured in an accident which involves radioactive contamination or external exposure. Transportation of injured persons from the BMRC to the Hospital or Roswell Park Memorial Institute (identified for treatment of
'
'
high radiation exposures) is via commercial ambulance. A representative from Radiation Protection Services accompanies the ambulance to aid in contamination contro Based on the above findings, this portion of the licensee's program is
-
acceptabl l 18.0 Emergency Training and Retraining i
The inspectors reviewed the training / retraining program that will be used for the licensee personnel. Various exercises and drills are conducted to test the plan, implementing procedures, emergency equipment and the
- emergency personnel preparation. The inspectors also interviewed various offsite emergency response personnel in regard to their training. The interviews of licensee personnel are described in previous paragraph One open item which requires licensee attention is identified
! Develop a training / retraining lesson plan to include the classification of emergencies, required notifications, and dose commitment calculation.
'
Provide a training matrix that describes classroom and practical training necessary to qualify each member assigned to the BMRC emergency response organization (50-57/85-02-03).
19.0 Drills and Exercises i
! The inspectors reviewed the established emergency drill and exercise schedule with licensee personnel. The inspectors also reviewed records
!
! . - . .
. _ __ __ . .-. _ _ __
- . - - -
. . . . .
.
, 8 of drills and exercises during the previous two years and noted that corrective measures were implemented where deficient areas were observe A minimum of three emergency drills are conducted each year and shall include two evacuation drills and one drill to test the integrated cap-
'
ability of the emergency plan and may include offsite support personnel such as police, fire, or ambulance crews. A written critique of the drill is to be provided for review by the Operating Committe Based on the above findings, this portion of the licensee's program is acceptabl .0 Maintaining of Plan and Procedures The inspectors discussed the maintenance of the Emergency Plan and Emergency Procedures with licensee personnel and noted that provisions were established for an annual review. It was also noted that the Emergency Procedures revised during February and April 1985 were reviewed and approved in accordance with the Emergency Plan. The Emergency Planning Offices was in the process of revising some procedures and was also planning on increasing the number of Emergency Procedures to provide additional detailed informatio Based on the above findings, this portion of the licensee's program is acceptabl .0 Exit Meeting On August 29, 1985 the inspectors met with the individuals identiffeo in Annex A and summarized the findings (open items) as denoted in this repor License management acknowledged the findings and indicated that appro-priate action would be taken regarding the identified open item At no time during this appraisal was written material provided to the
,
licensee by the inspectors.
!
!
l
,
. . -. --- - - ,_ . . .. - _
, -. _ - _- - - .. -
,
. .. . .
.
I ANNEX A Persons Contacted l, * Alexander Adam, Jr., Reactor Engineer a Capt. K. Bensman, Buffalo Fire Department
<
Dr. C. Cecelia, Chief, Administrative, V.'A. Medical Center William H. Elliot, Senior Reactor Operator J. Grela, Assistant Director, Public Safety
- * James P. Griffin, Senior Health Physicist '
- Louis G. Henry, Director
'
1 R. Hunt, Director, Eviron Health & Safety Department
!
L. Kobas, Director, News Bureau Dr. M. Kunz, Director, University Health Services
- G. MacPeak, County Disaster Coordinator, Erie County ODP t
- Philip M. Orlosky, Operations Manager i
-
Dr. J. Steinback, Chief, Nuclear Medicine, V.A. Medical Center Anthony P. Vargas, Senior Reactor Operator
- Denotes those present at exit e<eting on August 29, 1985.
i
}
>
l
.
i J
'
- ._ __. . - _ _ . _ _ . . . _
..
. . _ _ ._,~..___._,_.,.,.._..-_:;_.-