ML20245B380

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Forwards Ofc of Investigations (OI) Rept of Investigation Re Alleged Intimidation of QC Inspectors & Falsification of Insp Records.Oi Concludes That QC Insp Drawings Intentionally Falsified
ML20245B380
Person / Time
Site: Wolf Creek Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation icon.png
Issue date: 10/07/1985
From: Hayes B
NRC OFFICE OF INVESTIGATIONS (OI)
To: Martin R
NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV)
Shared Package
ML20245B374 List:
References
FOIA-84-291, FOIA-85-101, FOIA-85-161, FOIA-85-327, FOIA-85-600 NUDOCS 8706160065
Download: ML20245B380 (2)
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October 7, 1985 I'

MEMORANDUM FOR: Robert Martin, Regional Administrator .

Region IV FROM ,

Ben B. Hayes, Director

, (pfficeofInvestigations

SUBJECT:

WOLF CREEK GENERATING STATION:

ALLEGED INTIMIDATION OF QUALITY CONTROL INSPECTORS AND FALSIFICATION OF INSPECTION RECQRDS (4-84-026)

The enclosed Report of Investigation documents the Office of Investigations' (01) efforts to determirte, (1) whether two Daniel International Corporation (DIC) Quality Control (QC) inspectors were being harassed and intimidated by their supervisors; and, (2) whether there was an ittentional falsification of QC inspection drawings by DIC QC supervisors. -

In April 1984, two DIC QC inspectors alleged that they had been harassed and intimidated by their supervisors after identifying safety related concerns to the NRC. Investigation revealed four individuals working within the QC department believed the allegers were unfairly treated by their supervisors after the allegers identified their safety-related concerns to the NRC. The DIC supervisors in question denied harassing or intimidating the allegers; however, one supervisor admitted that an alleger's contact with the NRC violated the " chain of command." This supervisor advised he noted this

" violation" on one of the alleger's personnel evaluaton documents as an " area in need of improvement." The second supervisor admitted on occasions publicly reprimanding the two allegers and referring to them in a derogatory manner.

Interview of the Qu'llity Control Inspection Manager revealed that he had cautioned the two QC supervisors in question against publicly' reprimanding the QC inspectors and further warned them to avoid the use of derogatory comments when referring to the inspectors. It is noted that Kansas Gas and Electric's (KG&E) Q1 department investigated this allegation and determined it to be without merit.

It is Ol's belief the weight of evidence points to the conclusion that the two allegers were rassed and discriminated against by their supervisors. The

. improper behavior on the part of the supervisors seemed to be motivated by production demands and the perception that the allegers violated the DIC chain of command when they contacted the NRC.

In April 1984, the same DIC QC inspectors also alleged that structural steel drawings used in the turnover process to record completed QC inspections had been falsified in an attempt to circumvent proper inspection procedures. The. ,

allegers said the inspection drawings had been " color-coded" as accepted, .

utilizing existing documents and records as a substitution for actual inspec-tions in order to expedite building turnover. Investigation identified one QC ]1 inspector who was responsible for inspection of areas which reportedly were falsely marked as accepted by DIC QC supervisors. Thjs inspector stated he -

had personally confronted the QC supervisor and advised hifn that he had not ,

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l Robert D. Martin October 7, 1985 l inspected areas which were " color-coded" as inspected / accepted on the drawings.

The inspector said his statements were ignored by this supervisor. During -

interview, this QC supervisor denied being confronted by the responsible QC' inspector; however, the senior QC supervisor stated he witnessed the responsi- 1 ble QC inspector identify his concern to the QC supervisor in question. The  !

senior QC supervisor stated he disagreed with the QC inspector's concern.

It is 01's conclusion that QC inspection drawings were intentionally falsified.

The information provided by the responsible QC inspector in the presence of 1 the senior supervisor was ignored by the supervisor in order to expedite building turnover. Your technical staff has indicated that these turnover 5 inspection records were not required, or relied upon in any way by the.NRC. )

Therefore, this matter is not being considered as a criminal referral to the Department of Justice. ,

'l It is noted that KG&E's Q1 department investigated this allpgation and  !

determined that the drawings in question were incorrectly " color-coded" by the l above identified -supervisors, who were subsequently required to perform the necessary inspection.

I Neither this report nor memorandum may be released outside the NRC without the l permission of the Director, Office of Investigations. Internal NRC access and dissemination must be on a need and right-to-know basis.

Enclosure:

As stated cc w/ encl:

W. J. Dircks, ED0 (3)

L-it. K. Herr, OI:RIV e

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