ML20236U673
| ML20236U673 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | FitzPatrick  |
| Issue date: | 07/24/1998 |
| From: | NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20236U659 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9807300370 | |
| Download: ML20236U673 (2) | |
Text
._
gg gj "
t UNITED STATES y
j NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION e
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20066-c001
\\,...../
SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION RELATED TO AMENDMENT NO244 TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. DPR-59 POWER AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK JAMES A. FITZPATRICK NUCLEAR POWER PLANT DOCKET NO 50-333
1.0 INTRODUCTION
By letter dated December 12,1997, The Power Authority of the State of New York (the licensee) requested a revision to Technical Specifications (TSs) regarding normal working hours of plant staff to provide for shift duration of 12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />. It would also revise the TSs to maintain existing once per shift surveillance requirements at 8 hours9.259259e-5 days <br />0.00222 hours <br />1.322751e-5 weeks <br />3.044e-6 months <br />.
2.0 BACKGROUND
AND EVALUATION in its December 12,1997, letter the licensee stated that establishing operating personnel work hours at a normal 8 to 12-hour day, nominal 40-hour week allows normal plant operations to be managed more effectively. Plant evolutions that normally require more than 8 hours9.259259e-5 days <br />0.00222 hours <br />1.322751e-5 weeks <br />3.044e-6 months <br /> can be completed without the interruption / loss of continuity created by shift tumovers. This can result in increased productivity and effectiveness of operating personnel and the personnel of other departments that require operations support.
The proposed amendment revises the Administrative Controls Plant Staff Section 6.2.2.6 of TS to authorize a normal 8 to 12-hour day, nominal 40-hour week. This proposed change is consistent with the guidelines provided in the Commission's " Policy on Factors Causing Fatigue of Operating Personnel at Nuclear Power Plants" promulgated by Generic Letter 82-12. The intent of the policy is to assure "to the extent practicable, personnel are not assigned to shift duties while in a fatigued condition that would significantly reduce their mental alertness or their decision making ability." The proposed change is consistent with the policy because although the length of the work day mayincrease, by maintaining the work week at a nominal 40 hours4.62963e-4 days <br />0.0111 hours <br />6.613757e-5 weeks <br />1.522e-5 months <br />, the number of days worked will be less. The workers will have more days off to rest and therefore, maintain their mental alertness. Also for shift workers if 12 hour1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br /> shifts are used, there i
will be fewer shift changes for which they will have to adjust their sleep pattem, thereby reducing the fatigue caused by shift work. The staff finds this proposed change acceptable. A j
change was proposed to TS Section 6.2.2.6.b that replaced 7 days with 168 hours0.00194 days <br />0.0467 hours <br />2.777778e-4 weeks <br />6.3924e-5 months <br />. The j
licensee proposed this change to allow better administrative control of the 72-hour work limit in any 7-day period since operating personnel are on a rolling schedule. Since 168 hours0.00194 days <br />0.0467 hours <br />2.777778e-4 weeks <br />6.3924e-5 months <br /> equals 7 days, the intent and meaning of the guidance in GL 82-12 is not changed. The staff finds this proposed change acceptable.
An editorial change was also proposed to TS Section 6.2.2.c to clarify that shift tumover can be included in the break period between shifts. The previous wording also allowed shift tumover to be included in the break period between work shifts. Therefore, since there is no change in 9807300370 980724 I
PDR ADOCK 05000333 P
___ _ ______ _ _ o
1 o I
. 2-meaning and the statement meets the guidance provided in GL 82-12, the staff finds this proposed change acceptable.
In addition associated changes are proposed to Sections 4.5.F. 4.5 Bases and 4.7.A.7 for administrative clarification to maintain "once per shift" surveillance requirements at 8-hour intervals. The amendment will allow shifts to be up to 12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />. By changing the surveillance requirements from "once per shift" to "once per 8 hours9.259259e-5 days <br />0.00222 hours <br />1.322751e-5 weeks <br />3.044e-6 months <br />" the frequency of the surveillance will not change. Therefore, since there is nc change in surveillance frequency, the staff finds this proposed change acceptable.
Based on its review, the staff concludes that the proposed amendment to the James A.
FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant is consistent with the working hour policy as indicated in GL 82-12 and is, therefore acceptable.
3.0 STATE CONSULTATION
in accordance with the Commission's regulations, the New York State official was notified of the proposed issuance of the amendment. The State official had no comments.
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION
This amendment changes recordkeeping, reporting, or administrative procedures or requirements. Accordingly, the amendment meets the eligibility criteria for coegorical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(10). Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b) no environmentalimpact statement or environmental assessment need be prepared in connection with the issuance of this amendment.
5.0 CONCLUSION
The Commission has concluded, based on the considerations discussed above, that: (1) there is reasonable assurance that the health and safety of the public will not be endangered by operation in the proposed manner, (2) such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commission's regulations, and (3) the issuance of the amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public.
Principal Contributor: John S. Cushing Date: July 24, 1998 1
l f
l O