ML20235S334
| ML20235S334 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Maine Yankee |
| Issue date: | 07/14/1987 |
| From: | Russell W NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | Randazza J Maine Yankee |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20235S336 | List: |
| References | |
| EA-87-103, NUDOCS 8707210627 | |
| Download: ML20235S334 (3) | |
See also: IR 05000309/1987008
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JUL 141987
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Docketl o. 50-309
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License No. DPR-36
EA 87-103
Maine Yankee Atoraic Power Company
' ATTN: Mr. J. Ba Randazza
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-Executive Vice President
83 Edison Drive
' Augusta, Maine 04336
- Gentlemen:
' SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION
l(NRC Inspection. Report No. 50-309/87-08)
- This refers to the NRC inspection conducted on April 27-30 and May 8-13, 1987
at the Maine Yankee. Atomic Power Station, Wiscasset, Maine. The inspection
report was sent to you on' June 2,1987. While the April -inspection consisted
of a routine review of your radiological controls program, the May inspection
was conducted in response to (1) the discovery by your staff of a small
. cylindrical and highly radioactive object in the containment building with
radiation levels'on contact exceeding 1000 rem / hour, and (2) allegations.that
radiation and chemical hazards existed at the facility that endangered the
- health and safety of the plant workers. The discovery of the loose radio-
active object was promptly reported to the NRC, although such reporting was
.not required.
During this inspection, violations of-NRC requirements were
identified. On June 11, 1987, an enforcement conference was conducted with
you and members of your staff to discuss the 'v41ations, their causes, and
your corrective actions.
Although there was no evidence obtained to indicate that any individual received
a radiation exposure in excess of regulatory limits, the NRC is nonetheless
,
concerned that the object was not detected even though /t was probably in the
area since September 1985.
The failure to detect this ooject may be indicative
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of poor radiological controls and inattention to radiological safety in high
radiation areas.
Further, the violations represent significant deficiencies
in the radiological control program at Maine Yankee.
Specifically, the
violations demonstrate that (1) radiological oversight by health physics (HP)
personnel of work activities was deficient, and (2) individuals performing
, activities were not adequately instructed in radiological conditions. These
- deficiencies. may have been caused by a lack of adequate planning of activities
and the lack of adequate staffing during the refueling outage. These concerns
regarding the adequacy of your HP training program and staffing levels were
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previously' discussed with you during the last Systematic Assessment of Licensee
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' Performance.
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l Maine Yankee Atomic-
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Power Company
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In addition, some'of the violations were identified as a result of allegations
made;to the NRC, thereby indicating that your program for identifying problems,
including concerns raised by your staff, and taking appropriate action, has
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not been effective. -Furthermore, during my visit to your facility on June 10,
-1987, poor housekeeping throughout the plant and poor radiological control
practices were observed.
Therefore', in view of these programmatic deficiencies,'the violations have.been
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categorized in the aggregate as a Severity Level'III problem in accordance with
the:" General Statement ~of Policy and Procedure for NRC Enforcement Actions," 10
.CFR Part 2, Appendix C (1987). Although a civil penalty is considered for a
Level. III violation or problem, after. consultation with the Director, Office of
Enforcement, and the Deputy Executive Director for Regional Operations, I have
decided that a civil penalty will not be proposed in this case because (1) the
event involving the discovery of the object inside containment was promptly
. reported:to the NRC,'when identified, although such reporting was not required,
and;(2) your immediate corrective actions in response to the event were unusually
prompt and extensive.
.You are required to respond to this letter and should follow the instructions
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~specified:in the. enclosed Notice when preparing your response.
In your
response, you should document the specific actions taken and any additional
' actions you plan to prevent recurrence. 'After reviewing your response to this
Notice, including your proposed corrective actions and the results of future-
inspections, the NRC will determine whether further NRC enforcement action is
necessary to ensure compliance with NRC regulatory requirements.
LIn accordance with Section 2.790 of the NRCi s " Rules of Practice," Part 2,
Title 10, Code.of Federal Regulations, a copy of this letter and its enclosure
will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room.
The responses directed by this letter and the enclosed Notice are not subject
to-the clearance procedures of the Office of. Management and Budget as required
1by the' Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, Pub. L. No.96-511.
Sincerely,
Originni Signed BF
KILLIM T. RUSSELL
William T. Russell
~ Regional Administrator
Enclosure: Notice of Violation
0FFICIAL RECORD COPY
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Maine Yankee Atomic
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Power Company
cc w/ encl:
C. E. Monty, President
C, D. Frizzle, Assistant Vice President / Manager of Operations
J. H. Garrity, Plant Manager
P. L.' Anderson, Project Manager
G. D. Whittier, Licensing Section Head
J. A. Ritsher, Attorney (Ropes and Gray)
Phillip Ahrens, Esquire
Public Document Room (PDR)
Local Public Document Room (LPDR)
Nuclear Safety Information Center (NSIC)
NRC Resident Inspector
State of Maine
bec w/ enc 1:
Region I Docket Room (with concurrences)
Maragement Assistant, DRMA (w/o encl)
DRP Section Chief
Robert J. Bores, DRSS
-SECY
J. Taylor, DED0
J. Lieberman, OE
W. Russell, RT
T. Murley, NRR
D. Holody, RI
J. Goldberg, OGC
T. Martin, DEDR0
Enforcement Directors, RII-III
Enforcement Officers RIV-RV
F. Ingram, PA
J. Gradburne, OGPA
E. Jordan, AEOD
B. Hayes, 01
S. Connelly, OIA
D. Nussbaumer, SLITP
OE Files (3 copies = ltr hd)
EDO Rdg File
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