ML20205C503

Discusses Decision & Order,Issued on 950822 Which Found That Stone & Webster Engineering Group Discriminated Against D Harrison.Apparent Violation Being Considered for Escalated Ea.No NOV Being Issued.Predecisional EC Sheduled for 951030

ML20205C503
Person / Time
Site:	Browns Ferry
Issue date:	10/18/1995
From:	Merschoff E NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II)
To:	Kelly R STONE & WEBSTER ENGINEERING CORP.
Shared Package
ML20205B966	List: ML20205B960 ML20205C246 ML20205C251 ML20205C257 ML20205C267 ML20205C284 ML20205C290 ML20205C299 ML20205C338 ML20205C474 ML20205C491 ML20205C503 ML20205C537 ML20205C546 ML20205C563 ML20205C576 ML20205C599 ML20205C605 ML20205C613 ML20205C627 ML20205C642 ML20205C649 ML20205C658 ML20205C664 ML20205C704 ML20205C710 ML20205C719 ML20205C730 ML20205C740 ML20205D959 ML20205D965 ML20205D976 ML20205D987 ML20205E279 ML20205E291 ML20205E321 ML20205E326 ML20205E336 ML20205E359 ML20205K789
References
FOIA-99-76 EA-95-190, NUDOCS 9904010231
Download: ML20205C503 (7)

Text

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION REGONli In 101 MARIETTA sTREE1, 48.W., SUITE 2900 j

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%  ! October 18, 1995 EA 95-190 Stone & Webster Engineering Group ATTN: Mr. R. E. Kelly President 245 Summer Street Boston, MA 02240

SUBJECT:

PREDECISIONAL ENFORCEMENT CONFERENCE

Dear Mr. Kelly:

On August 22, 1995, the Secretary of Labor issued a Decision and Order which found that Stone and Webster Engineering Group discriminated against Mr. Douglas Harrison (00L Case 94-ERA-44) when Mr. Harrison was demoted because he had raised concerns related to firewatch requirements.

Mr. Harrison Authority's wasBrowns (TVA) employed Ferryas an ironworker Nuclear Plant. In general foreman at Tennessee Valley addition, the Secretary of Labor found that the removal of Mr. Harrison to an outside work crew was al discriminatory and that Mr. Harrison's discussion with other ironworkers on the lack of response to the fire protection concerns was a protected activity.

A copy of the Secretary of Labor's decision is enclosed (Enclosure 1).

The Secretary of Labor concluded that Stone & Webster wrongfully demoted Mr. Harrison as a result of his protected activity and reassigned Mr. Harrison to an outside work crew when he discussed his concerns with other workers.

The NRC Office of Investigation (OI) conducted an inquiry into this case and based on the preliminary Department of Labor decisions and the TVA Office of ,

i Inspector General report concluded that the allegations of discrimination were not substantiated. Our letter to TVA dated May 17, 1995, transmitted the OI I syr.opsis and indicated that no further action was planned on the case.

However, because of the Secretary of Labor Decision and Order issued on August 22, 1995, the acts of discrimination that DOL found to have occurred ,

against Mr. Har-ison constitute an apparent violation of 10 CFR 50.7 which prohibits disc'imination against an employee who engages in protected activities of such as providing an employer information about alleged violations NRC requirements.

Based on the Secretary of Labor's decision in this case, the apparent violation is being considered for escalated enforcement action in accordance with the " General Statement of Policy and Procedure for NRC Enforcement Actions," (Enforcement Policy), (60 FR 34381; June 30, 1995/NUREG-1600).

Accordingly, finding. no Notice of Violation is presently being issued for this Please be advised that the number and characterization of the apparent violation described above may change as a result of further NRC review. 4 7

A joint predecisional enforcement conference to discuss the apparent violation ( l

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has been scheduled with Stone & Webster, TVA and Mr. Steve Ehele, the Stone & '

Webster supervisor involved in this case, for October 30, 1995, at 1:00 p.m. -  ;

in the Region II office. The predecisional enforcement conference schedule was discussed 9904010231 in a telephnne call hatween Mr. Brad Dodson of your staff and 990324 t[

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Stone & Webster Engineering Group 2 1

i Mr. Mark Lesser of this office on October 6, 1995. A proposed conference l agenda is enclosed (Enclosure 2). The predecisional enforcement conference will be closed to public observation and transcribed.

The decision to hold a predecisional enforcement conference does not mean that the NRC has determined that a violation has occurred or that enforcement action will be taken. This conference is being held to obtain information to enable the NRC to make an enforcement decision, such as a common understanding of-the facts, root causes, missed opportunities to identify the apparent violation sooner, corrective actions, significance of the issues and the need for lasting and effective corrective action. In addition, this is an opportunity for you to point out any disagreement with the facts and findings presented in the Secretary of Labor decision and for you to provide any information concerning your perspectives on 1) the severity of the apparent i violation, 2) the application of the factors that the NRC considers when it  !

determines the amount of a civil penalty that may be assessed in accordance with Section VI.B.2 of the Enforcement Policy, and 3) any other application of the Enforcement Policy to this case, including the exercise of discretion in accordance with Section VII. In particular, we expect you to address the basis for the adverse employment action taken against Mr. Harrison.

We are also concerned with the potential chilling effect that may have j resulted from Mr. Harrison's demotion and the recent Secretary of Labor '

decision. Therefore, notwithstanding the information requested above and  ;

whether or not you agree with the Secretary of Labor decision, we expect you  !

to address the actions taken or planred to assure that this adverse employment action does not have a chilling effect on other licensee or contractor i employees raising perceived safety concerns. In addition, you should address -

l your corrective action to ensure that Stone & Webster managers are aware of i their responsibilities to provide a work environment in which all employees may freely identify safety concerns without fear of retaliation or discrimination.

You will be advised by separate correspondence of the results of our deliberations en this matter. No response regarding the apparent violation is required at this time.

In accordance with 1G CFR 2.790 of the NRC's " Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter and its enclosures will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room.

Should you have any questions concerning this enforcement conference, please contact Mr. Bruno Uryc at (404) 331-5505 or Mr. Mark Lesser at (404) 331-0342.

Sincerely, If Ellis W. Herschoff, Director Division of Reactor Projects Docket No. 9999

Enclosures:

(See page 3)

I- cc w/ encl: (See page 3) l

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Stone & Webster Engineering Group 3

Enclosures:

1. Secretary of Labor Decision dated August 22, 1995

2. Proposed Predecisional Enforcement Conference Agenda ccw/encls:-

Stone & Webster Engineering Group ATTN: Mr. Brad Dodson Vice President, Nuclear Operations 245 Summer Street Boston, MA 02240 cc w/o encls:

Tennessee Valley Authority ATTN: Mr. Oliver D. Kingsley, Jr.

President, TVA Nuclear and

. Chief Nuclear Officer )

6A Lookout Place 1101 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801.

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Stone & Webster Eng meerinc Group 4 Distribution w/enci 2:

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SShaeffer, RII CEvans, RII l LWatson, RII GHa11strom, RII IMS:RII NUDOCS NRC Senior Resident Inspector U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 10833 Shaw Road Athens, AL 35611

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BKeeling, CA Enforcement Coordinators RI, RIII, RIV I

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IMS:RII l NUDOCS NRC Senior Resident Inspector  ;

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 10833 Shaw Road i Athens, AL 35611 j

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PROPOSED PREDECISIONAL ENFORCEMENT CONFERENCE AGENDA STONE & WEBSTER ENGINEERING GROUP TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY BROWNS FERRY NUCLEAR PLANT October 30, 1995 I:00 p.m.

I. INTRODUCTION AND OPENING REMARKS S. D. Ebneter, Regional Administrator

. II. DISCUSSION OF THE ENFORCEMENT POLICY B. Uryc, Director Enforcement and Investigation Coordination Staff III. OVERVIEW Mr. Ebneter r

IV. APPARENT VIOLATION AND NRC CONCERHS l E. Merschoff, Director Division of Reactor Projects V. LICENSEE PRESENTATION VI. STONE & WEBSTER ENGINEERING GROUP PRESENTATION )

VII. STATEMENT OF S. EHELE

• *

• BREAK * *

• VIII. NRC FOLLOWUP QUESTIONS Mr. Herschoff  ;

IX. CLOSING Mr. Ebneter Enclosure 2  !

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