ML20154D239
| ML20154D239 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07000754 |
| Issue date: | 09/08/1988 |
| From: | Gary Comfort NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8809150203 | |
| Download: ML20154D239 (2) | |
Text
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TRIP REPORT DOCKET NO:
70-754 LICENSEE:
General Electric Co., Vallecitos Nuclear Center (VNC)
DATE:
August 1-5, 1988 PLACE:
Pleasanton, California PURPOSE:
Inspection Accompaniment BACKGROUND:
VNC is licensed under Special Nuclear Material License No. SNM-960. Currently.
YNC is involved neostly with analysis and research on fuel rods delivered fron around the world. To assist in this research, VNC operates a Nuclear Test Reactor (NTR), hot cells, and metallurgy laboratories. Much of VNC is shut down or in the process of decosnissioning in order to reduce and consolidate the number of buildings used on site.
SUM 4ARY:
During the week of August 1,1988 I accompanied B. Brock and K. Prendergast, both of Region V, on a routine, unannounced inspection of VhC. The inspection focused on (1) the completion of previously identified items. (2) preplanned inspection modules, and (3) a closer look at certain procedures and new improvements.
On August 1, the inspection began *:ith an entrance meeting. During this meeting, Mr. Brock discussed the objectives of the inspection. This was followed by a discussion of current and new activities at the site, as well as the VNC Nuclear Safety Organization notes. The rest of the day included an overall site tour; a closer inspection of Building 102, heusing chemical and retallurgy laboratories; and the NTR. The hTR has a new shielding well inside the entrance door and new shielding in the roof to reduce exposures among personnel. Preliminary results show reduction in exposure could be as high as fifty percent. A plan for a new door design and more shielding cutside the building are also being considered to further reduce occupational exposures.
On August 2, we made a detailed tour of the Radioactive Materials Lab, the waste treatment facility, hillside storage, filter rooms, and the old plutonium facility. Yht did relate that a glove box contaminated with plutonium remains on site.
On the morning of August 3, we examined shipping logs, procedures on casks, and an independent audit of the huclear Safety Branch. All seemed in satisfactory E
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order, although VNC told us that the independent audit was cancelled for the future. This annual audit was used by VNC to make an intense study of safety related procedures, and was not required by their license.
On the afternoon of August 3. K. Prendergast, an Erergency Preparedness Analyst, joined the inspection. We began with a visit to the California Division of Forestry (C0F), during which the chief voiced concerns with not knowing chemical I
hazards on site. A ineeting between CDF and VNC was scheduled, to review this and other concerns, for the week after this inspection.
The day ended with an examination of criticality audits and records on effluent releases to the environment.
On August 4, we examined change authorizations ano the procedures for a new shredder; the shredder will work with a compactor to reduce radioactive waste
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volunes. We also had discussed chemical and fire safety. This was followed by i
an inspection of chemical storage and related buildings.
One chemical storage shed did have acids and bases, packed in shipping containers, mixed together; i
these packages were insnediately separated.
This item remained opened for examination during the next inspection, j
On the morning of August 5, the inspection concluded with an exit interview during which the inspectors discussed their findings and observations with VNC management. VNC also stated they were beginning to prepare for license renewal
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due in May 1989.
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@@ hned Dr i
Gary C. Comfort j
Advanced Fuel and Special i
Facilities Section j
Fuel Cycle Safety Barnch i
DISTRIBUTION:
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