ML20217J321
| ML20217J321 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Big Rock Point File:Consumers Energy icon.png |
| Issue date: | 08/12/1997 |
| From: | Beach A NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| To: | Flowers R AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20217J323 | List: |
| References | |
| 50-155-97-05, 50-155-97-5, IA-97-063, IA-97-63, NUDOCS 9710210038 | |
| Download: ML20217J321 (3) | |
See also: IR 05000155/1997005
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NUCLEAR HECULATORy COMMISSION
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Mr. Raymond J. Flowers
(HOME ADDRESS DELETED
UNDER 10 CFR 2.790)
SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION (NRC INSPECTION REPORT 50155/97005(DRS))
Dear Mr. Flowers:
This refers to the inspection conducted on March 3,1997, through April 28,1997, at the
Big Rock Point Nuclear Plant, a Consumers Power Company facility located in Charlevoix,
Michigan. This inspection reviewed the circumstances surrounding the February 2,1997,
tour of the steam drum and piping areas in the radiologically controlled area when you, a
licensed shift supervisor, failed to appropriately respond to an electronic dosimetry alarm.
A copy of the inspection report is enclosed. Enforcement actions are currently being
considered against Consumers Power Company for this event.
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Based on the information developed during the inspection, the NRC has determined that a
violation of NRC requirements occurred. The violation is cited in the enclosed Notice of
Violation (Notice) and the circumstances surrounding it are described in detail in the
subject inspection report (enclosed). On February 2,1997, while accompanied by a
radiation protection technician, you performed a tour of the steam drum and piping areas
(high radiation areas) while the plant was operating at approximately 8 megawatts electric.
During this tour, the electronic dosimeters worn by the radiation protection technician and
you alarmed. When the alarms were received, the radiation protection technician indicated
that you had to leave the area per procedure. While you were fully aware of this
procedural requirement, you decided that personnel doses would remain as low as
reasonably achievable (ALARA)if you completed the tour at this time, and that this ALARA
consideration outweighed the requirement to leave the area. After completing the tour,
you exited the area, reported receiving the dosimetry alarms, and wrote a condition report
describing the event. The f ailure to exit the high radiation area after receiving electronic
dosimetry alarms during the tour is contrary to the requirements in Administrative
Procedure 5.8, "High Radiation Area Key and Access Control," Revision 10, Step 5.1.f.7
which requires such actions. The failure to adhere to this personnel radiation protection
procedure during operations involving personnel radiation exposure is a violation of
Technical Specification 6.11. Your actions also contributed, in part, to a Severity Level lil
Notice of Violation being issued to Consumers Power Company (enclosed).
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This violation was caused by your casual attitude concerning radiation protection practices.
While keeping doses as low as reasonable achievable at all times is important, the ALARA
philosophy does not give individuals the authority to violate procedures. The failure to
follow procedures raises significant regulatory concerns. It is imperative that you, a
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radiation worker, appreciate the importance of complying with procedures and understand
the conditions under which a procedure may not be required to be followed. While this
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specific violation involved little risk to the public health and safety, the failure to adhere to
approved procedures in other situations could result in grave consequences.
9710210038 970812
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R. J. Flowers
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You are reminded that you hold a license from the United States government that confers
upon you the special trust and confilence of the American people in the safe operation of
nuclear facilities and places you In the position where your performance is expected to be
above reproach. Your actions on February 2,1997, did not meet those standards.
Therefore, this violation has been categorized in accordance with the " General Statement
of Policy and Procedure for NRC Enforcement Actions" (Enforcement Policy), NUREG 1600
at Severity Level IV. However, similar violations in the future could result in more
significant enforcement actions.
The purpose of this letter is to make clear to you the consequences of your violation of
NRC requirements. You are required to respond to this letter and should follow the
instructions specified in the enclosed Notice of Violation (Notice) when preparing your
response. In your response, you should document the specific actions taken and any
additional actions you plan to prevent recurrence in order to ensurg your ability and
willingness to carry out the special trust and confidence placed in you as a licensed
operator of a nuclear power facility. After reviewing your response to this Notice,
including your proposed corrective actions, the NRC will determine whether further NRC
enforcement action is necessary to ensure compliance with NRC regulatory requirements,
in accordance with Section 2.790 of the NRC's " Rules of Practice," Part 2, Title 10. Code
of Federal Regulations, records or documents compiled for enforcement purposes are
placed in the NRC Public Document Room (PDR). A copy of this letter and the enclosed
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Notico of Violation, and your response, with your address removed, will be placed in the
PDR after 45 days unless you provide sufficient basis to withdraw this violation.
Should you have any questions concerning this action, please contact Mr. Brent Clayton of
my staff. Mr. Clayton can be reached at either the address listed above or at (630) 829-
9666.
Sincerely,
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. Bill Beach
Regional Administrator
Docket No. 55 30732
License No. SOP 311371
Enclosures:
2. Inspection Report 50-155/97005(DRS)
3. Notice of Violation issued
to Consumers Power Company
cc (WITH HOME ADDRESS DELETED UNDER 10 CFR 2.7901:
K. P. Powers, Plant General Manager
Consumers Energy Company
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R. J. Flowers
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DISTRIBUllON IWITH HOME ADDRESS DELETED UNDER 10 CFR 2.7901:
N9M.
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LCallan, EDO
AThadani, DEDE
LChandler, OGC
JGoldberg, OGC
SCollins, NRR
RZimmerman, NRR
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Enforcement Coordinators
Rl,Rilend RIV
Resident inspector, Big Rock Point
JHannon, NRR
LTran, NRR
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JGilliland, OPA
HBell, OlG
GCaputo, 01
Dross, AEOD
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OE:EA (2)
RAO: Rill
SLO:Ritt
PAO:Ritt
OC/LFDCB
Docket File
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