ML20198Q627

Forwards Revised Licensed Operator Requalification Program for NRC Approval,Per 10CFR50.59.W/explanation for Changes

ML20198Q627
Person / Time
Site:	University of Iowa
Issue date:	01/06/1998
From:	Wendt S IOWA STATE UNIV., AMES, IA
To:	NRC
References
NUDOCS 9801230101
Download: ML20198Q627 (9)

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e IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY C**,llf"f("i l"* ai r giomima OF SCIENCE AN D TECHNOLOGY 2o25 it M.111ack Engineering Building Ames, Iowa Soon an6a 585 294-i423 FAX 515 294 326:

January 6,1998 Director, Division of Licensee Performance and Quality Evaluation Attn: Operator Licensing Branch U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555 Ref- . License Number: R-59, Docket Number: 50-116, RIS:ZKB -

Subject:

Licensed Operator Requalification Program

Dear Director:

Enclosed you will fmd three copics ofIowa State University's revised Licensed Operator Requalification Program which we are providing for NRC approval per 10 CFR 50.59.

Also enclosed is an explanation for the changes. <

Questions may be directed to me during normal working hours at (515) 294-0539.

- Sincerely,

,rf o W -1 Scott E. Wendt Reactor Manager Enclosures

. c:(without enclosures)

- A.F. Rohach, Chm., Reactor Use Committee {4 D.B. Bullen, Facility Director \

T. Burdick, US NRC, Region III i W.R. DeVries, Chm., Mechanical Engineering Department i)9?-

V 9901230101 990106- II ADOCK 05000116

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CllANGES TO LICENSED OPERATOR REQUALIFICATION PROGRAM Page1 .

Changed the frequency of the administration of the annual written exam for the tr-ining staff.

Enson for the Chance:

The previous requalification program required two written exams to be prepared each year. The change allows the training staff to prepare only one exam while still meedng the 10 CFR $$

requirement of a written exam being administered every two years for the training staff. The operators not on the training staff will continue to take a written exam every year.

Page 2 Subdhided section 5, adding a heading to specify section 5.1.

Reason for the Changg; With the impending cessation of reactor operations, it is necessary to create a distinction between the training requirements that exist during normal operations and those existing aner operations hase ceased. Section 5.1 describes the training requireren > Juring normal operations. Section 5.2 describes the trainiog requirements aner operations have ceased.

Page 2 Addition of a self study option as remediation for missing a required pre planned lecture.

Reason for the Chance:

This change will allow an operator w ho missed a planned lecture to study the material independently. Credit for the self-study will be given to the operator only aner an interview with the Training Coordinator or the Training Assistant Coordinator to ensure adequate understanding by the individual of the covered subject material.

Page 3 Added a new sub-section to describe training requirements aner reactor operations cease.

Reason for the Chance:

Aner reactor operations have ceased, the licensed reactor operators must re nain in an approved training and requalification program in order to be qualified to perform fuel transfer operations.

As much was possible, the new training requirements were written to parallel the training required during normal reacor operations.

Page 4 Added a description of the annual operating exam that licensed operators will be required to pass after reactor operations have ceased.

- Reason for the Chance:

This change is required because it will not be possible to administer an annual (reactor) operating exam once reactor operations have ceased i-

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Added a means by which operators may maintain recency of experience aAer reactor operations ';

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have ceased.

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In anticipation of ceasing reactor operations, this change is being requested to allow operators to remain qualified to perform fuel transfer operations.

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-r REQUALIFICATION PROGRAM FOR LICENSED OPERATORS OF THE UTR-10 FACILITY-December 31.1997 1.- Introduction - ,

The requalification program for licensed opert ~'he UTR-10 facility license R-59 has been -

designed in accordance with the requirements tcand in Appendix A of 10 CFR Part 55 and has been submitted for review and approval to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. l

- 2.- Schedule This program shall be satisfactorily completed by licensed operators for requalification. The .

requalification program shall be conducted contmuously over a period not to exceed two years. A  :

' plication for licensee renewal that the operator has statement shall be meluded in the ap'ication satisfactorily completed this requJ based on availabihty of operators target dates forand staff, all other items are program.

based on the The schedu

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effective date of the individual's operating license.

Academic schedules and other extenuating circumstances may require adjustment of target dates. -

A waiver request to deviate from the prescribed schedule shall be submitted in writing by the -

license holder to the Reactor Manager and the Facility Director.

3. Training Staff The Reactor Manager shall appoint two individuals holding valid senior reactor operator licenses for facility license R-59, to the positio_ns of Training Coordinator and Training Assistant

- Coordinator. The Facility Director must approve the appointments. The term of appointments shall L one year and may be renewed. The Reactor Manager may hold either position. The Training Coordinator or Training Assistant Coordinator shall be jointly responsible for:

af The overall administration of this program.

b. Scheduling of the annual written exam.

c. L Grading the annual written exams and reviewing the exams with the operators.

d? ' Creating remedial programs for operators as required.

e. Periodically reviewmg all operator's on-the-job training checklists to ensure that they areL making satisfactory progress.

' f. Scheduling the annual operator performance evaluations and arranging for an examiner to -

conduct the evaluation. '

g.( Maintaining all qualification and requalification records required by Section 4. _

h. Insuring that all newly licensed operators are aware of the requalification requirements of this program.-

- i. Annually reviewing the content of this program.-

lThe Training Coordinator and Training Assistant Coordinator are resoonsible for creatina and

- nradino the annual wri+:en exams on a ternate years. Thus. while other coerations staff will take

the annual written avam each rear. the Traininn Coordinator and Training Assistant Coordinator -

will take the annual written exam one year and orenare and arade the exam the followinn year. ,

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4. Records ,

Records of each license holders participation in the requalification program shall be maintained through entri,:s in the Nuclear Engineering Laboratory Training log and in the operatofs training file. Copies of written examinations and the operators answers along with operating test and routine observation data shall be retained in the operatofs training file Records shall be adequate to document that the e,erator has made satisfactory progress in the requalification program or that the operator has been routed into a retraining program.

5. Training This program phase describes specifications for maintaining proficiency in operation of the UTR-

10. The completion of the activities listed below shall be recorded in the Nuclear Engineering Labontory Training log.

5_1 Durinu Normal Reactor Operations --

ill Each licensed operator shall manipulate the facility controls, and each licensed senior operator shall either mampulate the facility controls or direct the activities ofindividuals during facility control manipulations, so that ten reactivity control manipulations, in any combination, from the following list are accomplished annually; i

a. Reactor startup and attainment of criticality.

b. A minimum of a two-decade power change in the manual control mode, steady-state power must be achieved before and after the power change.

112 Each licensed operator shall be briefed as soon as practicable after any of the following changes have been instituted:

a. Procedure changes,

b. Facilit design changes.

c. Facilit license changes.

LLI Each licensed operator shali review the abnormal and emergency procedures on a biannual basis, the frequency of which is not to exceed seven months. These mtervals begin with the effective date of the operators license, ild Each licensed operator shall attend pre-planned lectures annually on the following subject areas:

a. Reactor Theory and Principles of Operation

b. Plant Operating Charactenstics

c. Plant Instrumentation and Control Systems

d. Nuclear Instrumentation, Reactor Protection System, and Alarms

e. Normal, Abnormal, and Emergency Procedures

f. Radiation Control and Safety

g. Technical Specifications

h. Emergency Plan In the event that a licensed ooerator misses a lecture remediation shall consist of a ceriod of self-study followed by an interview with the Traininu Coordinator or the Trainina Assisth :

Coordinator. The self-study and interview shalfbe dncumented in the Nuclear Enuineerina

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Laboratory Trainina lou and shall be comoleted within 7 days of the scheduled lecture.

. Operator's Requalification Program Page 2 of 6 '

5.2 After Cessation of Reactor Operations 5.2.1 Each licensed operator shall manipulate the facility's fuel transfer eauioment. and each licensed

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gnior ooerator shall either manioulgte the facility's fuel transfer cauioment or direct the activities

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ofindividuals_during fuel transfer equioment maniculations. so that 10 manipulations. in any sombination. from t 1e followine list are accomolished annually:

a. bridae crane coeration

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b. fuel transfer cask operation

c. fuel handler operations 5 2.2 Each licensed operator shall be briefed as soon as oracticable after any of the followine changes have been instituted:

a Procedure chaneet b_. Facility design changet

g. Facility license changes.

5.2.3 Each licensed operator shall review the abnormal and emercency procedures on a biannual basis.

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1he frecuency of which is not to exceed seven months Thase intervals begin with the effectivg date of the coerator's license.

L2.4 Each licensed operator shall attend ore-planned lectures annually on the following subject areas:

a. Reactor Theory and Princioles of Ooeration

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b. Nuclear Instrumentation. Reactor Protection System. and Alarms

c. Normal. Abnormal. and Emergency Procedures

d. Radiation Control and Safety

e. Technical S 3ecifications

f. Emereenev Plan In the event that a licensed operator misses a lecture. remediation shall consist of a period of self-study followed by an interview with the Trainine Coordinator or the Trainine Assistant

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Coordinator. The self-study and interview shall be documented in the Nuclear Eneineerine Laboratory Trainine log and shall be comoleted within 7 days of the sche @ led lecture.

6. Evaluation and Retraining This program phase specifies the scope,and minimum performance criteria to evaluate operator profic,ency.

i In addition, retraining requirements are established for operators deficient in recency of experience and for operators who fail to meet minimum proficiency standards.

6.1 Annual Written Examination A comprehensive written examination shall be administered annually (the interval between exams shall not exceed 15 months) to all operators and senior operators who have been licensed for more than three months (see 10 CFR 50.54(i-1)}. The examination will consist of a representative sample of questions from the categories found in 10 CFR 55.41 (b) (1) through 10 CFR 55.41 (b)

(14) and 10 CFR 55.43 (b) (1) through 10 CFR 55.43 (b)(7), to the extent they are applicable to the facility.

Operator's Requalification Progmm Page 3 of 6 ,

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4 This examination will be of equivalent scope v.d complexity to the license examinations given by the NRC. The examination's function is to establish the operator's knowledge level in all areas applicable to the operator's licensed activities. Examination scores will reflect areas in which the operator needs remediation. An overall score of '0%, as well as a score of 70% in each individual section, is required to pass the exam. Operators with non passing overall sco es shall be required to successfully c.omplete a remediation program before resuming licensed activities. Operators failing one section of the exam, but actuevmg an overall passing grade, may continue their duties during remediation.

Minimum performance criteria and retraining requirements are as follows:

a. An operator achieving a total score of greater than or equal to 70% and a score ofless than 80% in any subject area shall attend lectures on all subject areas in which less that 80% score was attained. The operator shall be re tested in each of these areas by written examination, with the 80% critenon in effect for satisfactory completion.

b. An operator achieving a total secte efless than 70% shall be removed from all th ased duties, and shall be required to successfully complete a remediation program, including the satisfactory completion of written exam that is equivalent in scope and complexity to the license examinations given by the N.R.C. before resuming licensed activities. Satisfactory completion criterion for the retest is 80% in all sections.

6.2 Annual Operating Test 611_Ihlting Normal Reactor Opera:lons The operating test shall consist of manipulations of the facility controls while a Training Staff member obsctves and evaluates the performance of the licensed operator. Thc scope of the test shall include, to the extent a nlicable, the areas listed in 10 CFR 55 45 (a) (1) through 10 CFR 55.45 (a)(13). The test shal se scheduled on an annual basis (the interval between exams shall not exceed 15 months) beginning with the eUective date of ae operator's license.

Simulations, through discussion c uestions, of abnormal and emergency conditions may be used to assess the operator's response. T ic operator's verbal response will be suflicient to simulate their reaction to the abnormal or emergency condition.

The operator's performanenhall be evaluated as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. The latter result will require that the operator be relieved of all licensed duties and attend lectures on the subject areas in which unsatisfactory performance was detected. Afler retraining, an oral examination shall be administered on the same subject areas and when appropriate, another performance evaluation at the facility contrLis shall be required.

6.22 After Cessation of Reactor Onerations Ihtoneratina test shall consiit.cf_ manipulations of the facility's fuel transfer equipmenLwhilc_a Training 1tatimember observes and evaluates the perfomianct 'hc.litensstopgrator. The KORLDUhc_lut shall include. to the extent a niicable. the areas imed in 10 CFR 55 45 (a) (1) through 10 CFR 55.45 (a)(13). The tut shal be schedultiOD an annual basialttte interval between exarm shall not exceed 15 months) beninnine with the etrective ( M of the coerator's

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licensi Operator's Requalification Program Page 4 of 6

. - i Sjmulatiorfs. through ditcussion r uestions. of abrarmal and emergency conditions may be used to usess the onerator's response T ie ooerator's verbal response will be sufreient to simulate their

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traction to the abnormal or emergency conditing Ihc_opstator's nerformance shall be eydnatedjuatisfactory or unsatisfactory. The latter result will require that.1hc_opnator be relieved of allI censed duties and attend lectures on the subiect Eguin which unialiifElRty_gerformance was detected. Afler retrainina. an oral examinatioD '

shall be adminisiered on thuame subject areas and when no.gtopiatcanother oerformance ,

EYaluAtjon at the facility'afuel transfer equipment shall be reautred.

6.3 Routine observation by Supervisor and/or Training Staff.

Whenever the performance of an operator acting under normal, abnormal, or emergency conditions is unsatisfactory, the same procedure as given 6.2 above shall apply.

6,4 Recency of Experience 6.4.1 During Normal Reactor Opstations Whenever an operator fails to maintain an experience record as specified in 55.53(c) of 10 CFR Part 55, mainly aerforming the functions of an operator or senior operator for a minimum of four hours per calentar quarter, and the time period smce the last manipulation is:

a. Greater than three months but less than or equal to one year, the operator shall complete six

- hours of operator or senior operator functions under the instruction of an operawr or senior operator, respectively and shall review any changes enumerated in 5.2.

b. Greater than one year, the operator shall take the annual written examination, the annual operating examination, and complete the requirements listed in 6.4(a).

In the event that the entire reactor operations staff fails to maintain the required recency of experience, all of the operators shall attend six hours oflectures presented by the Traimng Staff on topics pertaining to reactor operations in addition to the requirements in 6.4(a) and (b).

Prior to the resumption of ficensed duties, a member of the facility's Trainin g Staff shall certify that the o )erator's qualifications and status of the license are current snd valid. A member of the facility's Training StafTshall also verify that the licensee has completed 6 hours6.944444e-5 days <br />0.00167 hours <br />9.920635e-6 weeks <br />2.283e-6 months <br /> oflicensed ftmetions under the supervision and direction of a reactor operator or senior reactor operator as '

appropriate and in the position to which the individual will be assigned.

In rll cases, a member of the Training Staff shall document the completion of the requirements found in section 6 of this document, Appropriate documentation shall be kept in the operator's file and/or in the Nuclear Engineering Laboratory Training log.

6.4.2 After Cess (on of Reactor Operatinni The cresenctof aunlified costators will be reauired to transfer fuel for shioment after the reactar 11.permanentiv shiit down. 'Followinn the cessation of reactor operations. the coerator must participate in ,a minimum of four houlrs of practice / simulated fuel transfer operations per calendar guarter to maintam regency of exocnence.

Oprator's Requalifkation Program Page $ of 6 -

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I E Whenever an_ ooerator fails to maintain an experience record as specified. and the time ceriod .

smee carticientma in oractice/ simulated fbel transfer operatiDHILlE I I

i A. Greater than three months but less than or caual to one year. the ogerator shall complet.e.iis l

, hours of oractice/ simulated fuel transfer operations under the instmetion of an onergipLp1 i genior operator. respectively and shall review any changes enumerated in 5 2.  ;

b Greater than one year. the operator shall take the annual written examination. the annual

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QPIIAling examinittion. and complete the requirements listed in 6.4(at In the event that the entire reactor operations staff fails to maintain the reauired recency of cacIignee. all of the ooerators shall attend six 1ours oflectures presented by the Training Staff.  !

on topics pmlaining to fuel transfer coerations ' n addition to the reauirements in 6.4(a) and (bt l Prior to the resmuotion of";ensed duties. a member of the facility's Trainine Staff shall certify i that the opsr_ator's cualiDestions and status of the license are current aneafid. A member of the facility's Training Staff shall also verify that the licensee has comoteted 6 hours6.944444e-5 days <br />0.00167 hours <br />9.920635e-6 weeks <br />2.283e-6 months <br /> of pInclice/simulaled fuel transfer operations under the sueervision and direction of a reactor ,

s operator or_ senior reactor operator as appropriate and in the oosition to which the individual will l bc_anigned. l t

]n.nlLcases, a member of the Traininu Staff shall document the completion of the reauirements i

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found in section 6 of this document. Aonrooriate documentation shall be krot in the opstator's fils

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add /or in the Nuclear Engineerinu laboutorv Training log.-

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7. Medical Certification t i

Operators shall be examined biennially (not to exceed 24 months) for continued medical qualification as defined in ANSI /ANS 15.41988 section 7. Additional examinations may be conducted if conditions warrant as determined by the Reactor hianager or Facility Director. The ,

Reactor hianager shall receive from the examining physician confirmation that the reactor .

o)erator meets the requirements of 10 CFR 55.33(a)(1) and ANSI /ANS 15.41988 section 7. The p iysician shall maintam records of the most recent examination. t

8. Erniration and Renewal of License  :

Each operator and senior operator license expires six years after the date ofissuance. Application for renewal must be com,pleted and placed in the mail'at least 30 days prior to expiration of the existing license. The Traming Staff shall be responsible for ensuring that the renes,al candidate has  !

' met the requirements set forth in 10 CFR 55.59 and for completing and filing with the Nuclear 4 Regulatory Commission the items required for license renewal as described in 10 CFR 55.55 and 55.57.

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