ML20246E094

Forwards Insp Rept 50-112/89-01 on 890525-26 & Notice of Violation.Recognizes That Receipt of Licensee possession- Only License Resulted in Greatly Reduced NRC Requirements Re Reactor Facility

ML20246E094
Person / Time
Site:	05000112
Issue date:	08/18/1989
From:	Beach A NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV)
To:	Egle D OKLAHOMA, UNIV. OF, NORMAN, OK
Shared Package
ML20246E098	List: ML20246E094 ML20246E106 ML20246E110
References
NUDOCS 8908290008
Download: ML20246E094 (3)

See also: IR 05000112/1989001

Text

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s !In Reply Refer..To: j$ - l 8 5 i

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, Docket: ;50-112/89-01:

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,The University of Oklahoma

ATTN: Dr. Davis M. Egle

m. Director, AMNE

U 865' Asp Ave , Room 212

L, Norman,: Oklahoma 73019 '

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Gentlemen:

,

LThis refersLt'o the inspection conducted by Mr.'Lorenzo Wilborn,-accompanied'by-

L ' Mr.. R. E' Baer of this office during the period May 25-26,'1989, of activities

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, authorized by NRC Operating- License R-53 for The University ~ of Oklahoma

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research reactorg cnd to'the discussion of our findings with members of your

staff atLthe conclusion of the inspection.

Areas examined during.the inspection included reactor operations, nuclear

material safeguards, physical security plan, emergency ~ plan, and-transportation

activities. Within these areas,- the inspection consisted of selective

examination of procedures.and representative records, interviews with

. personnel, and observations by the NRC inspector. The inspection findings are

documented in the enclosed. inspection report.

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During this inspection, it was found that certain of your activities were in-

violation of NRC requirements. Consequently, you are required to respond to

these violations,-in' writing, in accordance with the provisions of

Section.2.201 of the NRC's " Rules of Practice," Part 2,' Title 10, Code of

7 . Federal Regulations. The NRC staff recognizes that, since operation of.the

reactor has been terminated and fuel has been removed from the reactor and

shipped offsite, the hazards associated with the facility have been essentially

eliminated. However, even though you are in the process of decommissioning

this facility, because the University of Oklahoma.at Norman is the holder of

-other NRC licenses, you are required to respond to the violations regarding

your corrective actions to ensure that the university will comply with NRC

requirements in the future.

The NRC staff also recognizes that receipt of your possession-only license

resulted in greatly reduced NRC requirements relative to the reactor facility.

However, by dismantling the reactor without receiving prior NRC approval, the

university violated the requirements of 10 CFR 50.82 which requires the

-submission of an application and Commission approval before decommissioning

activities are undertaken. The university submitted to the NRC on

October 25, 1988, an application for a license amendment and NRC approval of a

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' The. University of Oklahoma -2-

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j. ' Dismantling' and Decommissioning Plan for the University of Oklahoma research- '-

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reactor. Although it was the-position of the Radiation Safety Officer during

thiscinspection'that' dismantling of the reactor did not constitute

decommissioning, the plan wbmitted to the NRC specifically addresses

dismantling. activities, as well as decommissioning. Therefore, it is the view

of the NRC staff that.this plan should have been approved by the NRC prior to

c.enducting dismantling activities rather_ than having _ the plan submitted to' the

.NRC for its review'some three months after dismantling activities were

. conducted. While this violation may have been considered.significant, it

appears that dismantling activities were conducted in a proper manner with no-  ;

increased risk to public health and' safety. Nonetheless, the NRC expects its. l

licensees to satisfy NRC requirements. .j

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In addition, it is our understanding that radiation surveys of _ all materials j

being_ released for unrestricted use shall also be surveyed for transferable

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alpha and beta radioactivity'using the smear / swipe method. These smear / swipes

shall be counted on an instrument capable of determining the type of radiation l

and accurately measuring the quantity of radioactive material present. This  !

method of-surveying will also be~used to document the final release survey of

the reactor laboratory facility.

We have also examined actions you have taken with regard to previously

identified inspection' findings. The status of these items is ide.itified in

paragraph 2 of the enclosed report.

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Should you have any questions concerning this inspection, we will_ be pleased to .;

discuss them with you.  !

Sincerely,

,Sl 1 i

A. Bill Beach, Director l

Division of Radiation Safety )

and Safeguards

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Enclosures:

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1. Appendix A - Notice of Violation

2. Appendix B - NRC Inspection Report i

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50-112/89-01

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cc w/ enclosures: i

The University of Oklahoma l

l ATTN: Dr. E. H. Klehr, Chairman

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Reactor Safety Committee

865 Asp Avenue

Norman, Oklahoma 73019 1

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The University of Oklahoma -3-

bec to DMB (IE01)

bec:

R. Martin Inspector (s)

• C:RPSB-DRSS A. Adams, NRR Project Manager

• DRP Lisa Shea, RM/ALF

• RIV File - * MIS Coordinator

• RSTS Operator' *DRS

B. Beach, DRSS *C:FRPS

• R. Hall-DRSS *RPB-DRSS

J. Lieberman G. Sanborn

• n/766

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