ML20217G712
| ML20217G712 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant |
| Issue date: | 03/27/1998 |
| From: | Hiland P NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| To: | John Miller UNITED STATES ENRICHMENT CORP. (USEC) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20217G714 | List: |
| References | |
| 70-7001-97-10, NUDOCS 9804020499 | |
| Download: ML20217G712 (3) | |
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I March 27, 1998 Mr. J. H. Miller Vice President - Production United States Enrichment Corporation Two Democracy Center 6903 Rockledpe Drive Bethesda, MD 20817
SUBJECT:
NRC SPECIAL INSPECTION REPORT 70-7001/97010(DNMS)
Dear Mr. Miller:
On Feb uary 16,1998, the NRC completed a special inspection at your Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant relative to a September 1997, cylinder hauler lifting mechanism failure during the transport of an empty uranium hexafluoride cylinder.
The enclosed report identifies the areas examined during the inspection. Within these areas, the inspection consisted of a selective examination of procedures and representative records, observations, and interviews with personnel.
The special inspection was performed to assess information regarding the structural failure of the cylinder hauler and to identify any generic implications from the root causes for the event.
Specifically, the inspection examined the operational controls in effect at the time, maintenance program factors affecting the cylinder haulers, engineering controls applied to the cylinder haulers, and site personnel's response to and root cause evaluation of the event.
Based upon the results of the inspection, the NRC has determined that past weaknesses in site engineering controls and corrective actions for a previous cylinder hauler failure, significantly contributed to the September 18,1997 event. In addition, a generic weakness was identified relative to the training provided to operators and supervisors involved in the movement of uranium hexafluoride cylinders. Because these findings were associated with nonsafety-related activities, no violations of NRC requirements were identified. However, further evaluation and resolution of the apparent inconsistencies in rigor and quality applied to nonsafety versus safety-related activities, that may have more than minor safety significance, appeared warranted, in accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRC's Rules of Practice" a copy of this letter, its enclosure, and your response will be pbced in the NRC Public Document Room.
9804020499 980327 PDR ADOCK 07007001 C
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- J. H. Miller. -
We will gladly discuss any. questions you have concerning these observations.
Sincerely, Original Signed by Patrick L. Hiland, Chief Fuel Cycle Branch Docket No. 70-7001
Enclosure:
Inspection Report 70-7001/97010(DNMS) cc w/ encl:
S. A. Polston, Paducah General Manager L. L. Jackson, Paducah Regulatory Affairs Manager J. Morgan, Portsmouth Acting General Manager S. A. Toolle, Mar,0;ar, Nuclear Regulatory Assurance and Policy, USEC Paducah Resident inspector Office Portsmouth Resident inspector Office R. M. DeVault, Regulatory Oversight Manager, DOE J. C. Hodges, Paducah Site Manager, DOE DOCUMENT NAME: G:\\SEC\\ PAD 97010.DNM To receive e co av of this Ir -- ^ Indicate in the box: "C" = Copy w/o attach /end "E" = Copy w/ attach /end "N" = No copy OFFICE-Rill:DNMS; 6
Rill:DNMS l6 l
l NAME O'Brien.%
Hiland FA %-
DATE 03@ W 030 7/98 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
e J. H. Miller Distnbution:
Docket File w/enci PUBLIC IE-07 w/enci OCFO/LFARB w/enci A. B. Beach, Rlli w/enci J. L. Caldwell, Rlli w/enci C. D. Pederson, Rlll w/ encl Rlli Enf. Coordinator w/enci R. Pierson, NMSS w/ encl P. Ting, NMSS w/enci W. Schwink, NMSS w/enct P Harich, NMSS w/enct M. L. Hom, NMSS w/enci
' R. Bellamy, RI w/enci EJM, Ril w/enci (e-mail)
F. Wenslawski, RIV/WFCO w/ encl IEO w/enci(e-mail)
DOCDESK w/enci(e-mail)
Greens w/o enci 1
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