ML20154P759

Responds to Notice of Violation Re Enforcement Action 88-021 Concerning Behavior as Licensed Operator.Disgruntled Reaction to Failure to Receive Transfer Contributed to Behavior.Payment of Civil Penalty in Amount of $500 Encl

ML20154P759
Person / Time
Site:	Peach Bottom, 05509526
Issue date:	09/19/1988
From:	Saxman B PECO ENERGY CO., (FORMERLY PHILADELPHIA ELECTRIC
To:	NRC OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION & RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (ARM), NRC OFFICE OF ENFORCEMENT (OE)
References
EA-88-021, EA-88-21, NUDOCS 8810030174
Download: ML20154P759 (4)

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September 19, 1988 Director, Office of Enforcement U.S. Nuclear Regulatcry Commission Attention: Document Control Desk Washington, D.C. 20555 l

Ret Bruce E. Saxman Docket No. 55-9526

, License No. OP-10134-1 l EA 88-21

Dear Sir:

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SUBJECT:

REPLY TO NOTICE OF VIOLATION I attended an Enforcement Conference on February 11, 1968, because my behavior as a licensed operator had con-tributed to the NRC's decision to suspend Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station's operations. Subsequently, I was notified that my actions constituted a violation of my license, which would be classified at Severity Level III and that I would be assessed a fine of $600.

l l After I became a Reactor Operator in 1984, and when I l had become more comfortable with the position, I began to l violate Administrative Procedure A-7 by reading a magazine I on back shift. As time wore on, I would put my feet up, close my eyes, and look sloppy on shift. I was not 100%

alert at all times which I knew was unacceptable in light of the performance you expected of me as a licensed operator.

1 i As I admitted at my Enforcement Conference, I was l disgruntled a lot of the time I was on shift. I had been l promised a transfer to Limerick Generating Station; then, I was told I could not leave Peach Bottom. That announcement caused me to start into a routine of just doing my eight hours and going home. There never really was any incentive i to do a better jobs the fellow who worked hard was treated j just the same.as the fellow who did not do his job. While I should not have allowed this situation to affect my behavior, that is why I violated Administrative Procedure A-7.

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Director, Office of Enforcement September 20, 1988 l Page 2 i l 1 carry out my responsibilities much differently now.

I stay as busy as I can and I take a greater interest in the job. I no longer see it as just making megawatts. Now, I s try to look further into the reasons for equipment changes }

or instrument fluctuations. I try to figure out how I can correct problems I see or recommend corrections. I have set my own personal goal to keep improving by maintaining this kind of higher level of awareness of what is going on around ,

me.  ;

I I did come to recognize that my attitude was not i affected solely by my disappointment in Management's treat-  ;

ment of me. I also realized that I had come to work in a tired co:sdition. The way to improve that has been for me to make sure I get plenty of rest for night work. My family now understands that if I am on the 11:00 o' clock p.m. to 7:00 o' clock a.m. shift, my schedule is the priority for the week. They no longer ask me to get up early to run errands or to do work that might cut into my sleep.

I also keep reminding myself to watch how I look at work and I try not to read anything except technical specifications or procedures needed right then and there. I find that refraining from doing additional technical reading while on shift, helps me to concentrate on my instrumenta-tion and controls. As Chief Operator, I have the flexi-bility to move throughout the room, so I use extra time to help out tne reactor operators. That may not be written down as part of my job description, but I do it because it j helps all of us to do better.

Helping out those around me has been made easier by the fact that I now get to work with the same group of operators. I know what to expect of them, and they know what to expect of me. Because I know them so well, I can see right away if they have a problem, and I can judge their reactions to day to day activities more readily than I could before; for example, I can sense better if someone is puzzled by an assignment or having a bad day, so that I can go over and help him or keep an eye out for him during the shift.

My perception about Management's responsiveness to me has changed. I do well with the shift manager concept, and I appreciate the fact that my shift manager tries to find an answer for my concerns. As management attempts to take down the walls which had come between us, I feel that relation-ships will improve in the future.

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Director, Office of Enforcement September 20, 1988 Page 3 As I told you at my Enforcement Conference, I really value my license and I want to make sure that I can keep it. '

I have thoroughly examined my conduct and I realize just how detrimental it was to the safe environment the public expects to find in the Control Room. Although I broke the trust that you and the public had in me, I understand now i that each time I go into the control Room I must give 100%

to that job.

Respectfully submitted, Axuc 0 - -rt h s ~

Bruce E. Saxman

Enclosure:

$500.00 Penalty l cct Regional Administrator

. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region I ,

475 Allendale Road i King of Prussia, PA 19406 l

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AFFIDAVIT COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA e  : SS.:

COUNTY OF 6  %  :

Before me, a Notary Public, personally appeared BRUCE E. SAXMAN, who being duly sworn according to law deposes and says that the statements made in his Reply to Notice of Violation are true and correct to the best of his information, knowledge and belief.

Sworntoandsubscribedtobeforemethis// day of

, 1988.

J

( . ,Y9/AJM2ubhuny Notar Public

(SEAL)

My commission expires:

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