ML20248B826
| ML20248B826 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png |
| Issue date: | 09/25/1989 |
| From: | Murphy W VERMONT YANKEE NUCLEAR POWER CORP. |
| To: | NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM) |
| References | |
| BVY-89-86, NUDOCS 8910030309 | |
| Download: ML20248B826 (4) | |
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.4 iVERMONT. YANKEE NUCLEAR P'OWER CORPORATION BVY 89-86 ls
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- Ferry Road, Brattleboro, V T 05301-7002
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ENGINEERING OFFICE 580 MAIN STREET DOLTOrt MA 01740 (508)779 6711 September 25, 1989 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory. commission
. Washington, D.C.
20555 Attention:
Document Control Desk
References:
a)
License No. DPR-28 (Docket No. 50-271) b)
Letter, USNRC to VYNPC, NVY 88-265, dated 12/15/88
Dear Sir:
Subject:
Vermont Yankee Self Assessment Programs Pursuant to the request of Reference b), Vermont Yankee herein submits to the NRC a description and schedule of self-assessment programs which we have or intend to implement.
Vermont Yankee has employed a number of initiatives to identify weaknesses and to improve our overall performance. These activities have been self-j initiated efforts which have viewed a broad scope of issues, from management to plant equipment. These issues are discussed in more detail below.
i Operational Performance l
In striving for operational excellence, Vermont Yankee has elevated the emphasis on the planning of outages. Segments of this include extensive criti-ques and the initiation of planning for the next outage immediately following the conclusion of the most recent one. These actions have an effect on the 3
planning of routine activities, as well. These efforts have and will continue to result in enhancements to our programs.
In addition, the services of a senior manager of Forsmark (Swedish plant) were retained to provide us with an independent view of our daily activities with an emphasis on the outage efforts. This individual proved to be a valuable i
resource offering a fresh perspective on how we might improve our outage and j
overall performance. To augment this effort, which extended from February-July
{
1989, the Assistant to the Plant Manager, Operations Superintendent, and Operations and Maintenance Supervisors visited the Swedish facilities this month to learn first hand, potential outage and operational improvements.
It is i
expected this second part of the exchange will result in further enhancements to j
our programs.
8910030309 890925 h
PDR ADOCK 05000271 i
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(Lo VERMONT YANKEE NUCLEAR POWER CORPORATION U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission September 25, 1989 l
Page 2 l
Quality Assurance Activities o
Audits - Vermont Yankee, as part of its annual audit program, exceeds the requirements of regulations and the QA Program relative to the performance of audits. The audit group performs audits in fnur functional areas beyond those required.
Further, the audit teams have been augmented with
" Technical Specialists" who provide additional specific expertise in the conduct of the performance based audits.
o Trend Report - On an annual basis, Vermont Yankee Quality Assurance Department generates a " Trend Report" which evaluates data from various internal and external sources. This information is reviewed by QA manage-ment for identification of any developing trends or weak areas. The resultant recommendations are then addressed by Vermont Yankee management-and any_necessary action is implemented.
o Combined Utility Assessment Group - Independent and objective evaluations of the Nuclear Quality Assurance Program are conducted on an annual basis by a team of qualified personnel from other utilities having nuclear plants. These assessments apprise top management of the adequacy and effectiveness of our commitment to a Quality Assurance Program.
Management o
Vermont Yankee retains a consultant who conducts quarterly audits of both the corporate and plant site as an independent technical assessment of the company.
These visits entail a series of interviews with personnel in various positions. The President /CEO receives a written report of their findings and those requiring action are assigned and addressed by the appropriate group.
o Based on an independent assessment of key management individuals, during the first quarter of this year, the issue of internal communications was identified as an area that requires significant improvement. The annual VY i
senior management meeting in May of this year focused on this by l
contracting with a_ management consultant to support improvements. This l
process has begun and is expected to be a continuing one to ensure all the appropriate individuals are afforded an opportunity to further develop their skills in this area.
o Quality Management Meetinas - Plant, corporate, project and quality assurance management meet on a regular basis to discuss the adequacy, con-tent and effectiveness of the activities being performed and to determine the need for changes or improvements. These meetings provide management needed input and a forum to exchange valuable ideas which have resulted in enhancements in engineering, operational and quality assurance activities.
[
VERMONT YANKEE NUCLEAR POWER CORPORATION U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission September-25, 1989 Page 3 Fire Protection Vermont Yankee will perform an independent assessment of the fire protec-l tion program with emphasis on the management oversight, as a result of some l
identified weaknesses in this area earlier this year. This activity is currently scheduled for the last quarter of 1989.
1 Task Force for Switching and Tagaina vermont Yankee has assembled a diversified group of individuals to evaluate the e ' sting system of switching and tagging. The objective of this group is to revise the existing procedure and provide the plant manager with recommendations on improving and optimizing the system.
Other Efforts Vermont Yankee has also undertaken a number of initiatives in the past year to evaluate various issues including: performance of an SSFI; thorough, inde-pendent re-evalation of INPO's Significant Operating Event Reports; Training Department Self-Evaluation Report for Operator Training Programs; a comprehen-sive review for the procurement process; and an assessment of computer applica-
- tions, o
SSFI - Vermont Yankee contracted with Westec Incorporated for the perfor-mance of an SSFI in accordance with the requirements of the NRC I&E Manual.
Subsequent to the inspection the findings were reviewed and prioritized for resolution. Many of the findings have been addressed with final disposition and close out of all items expected later this year.
o SOER - INPO issued a list of 125 SOER's which they considered most impor-tant and requested all utilities provide a status back to them.
In response, Vermont Yankee performed a complete, independent reassessment of the subject SOER's as well as the governing review process. The conclu-sions reached included:
re-evaluating a portion of the SOER's and iden-tification of generic areas of improvement in the assessment program.
o Trainin: Department Self-Evaluation - In suoport of the INPO Reaccreditation Evaluation for Operator Training Programs scheduled for September 1989, Vermont Yankee has performed a self evaluation.
INPO has been furnished with the report which captures the results of this eva-luation. The Training Department is currently addressing the identified weaknesses.
o Procurement Review - Vermont Yankee has had a comprehensive independent evaluation performed on all aspects of the procurement process.
This assessment has resulted in a restructuring of the procurement organization with the objective of enhancing the effectiveness as well as the efficiency of the program.
Included in this restructuring has been the generation of revised procedures on the mechanics of the review and approval of safety related material and services purchase orders.
I I
e VERMONT YANKEE NUCLEAR POWER CORPORATION l
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission l
September 14, 1989 l
Page 4 l
l o
Computer Assessment - Vermont Yankee retained the services of a consultant to assess our use of computers in performance of daily tasks as well as to provide recommendations on other potential applications.
This evaluation has resulted in the formation of a project team to pursue the development of an enhanced information management system. The preliminary scope of this system will envelop integrated office automation and Maintenance Ma,terial P 1agement areas.
It is expected that this new system will allow more effic'ent and effective processing of information.
The activities discussed above are in addition to our routine self assessment activities of the QA program and the routine INPO evaluations.
It is Vermont Yankee's intent to continue with these self assessment initiatives to identify areas of weakness as well as evaluating the effectiveness of any enhan-cements or corrective action that we have implemented. We will ensure the NRC is kept aware of our efforts in this area. Should you have any questions on this information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Very truly yours, VERMONT YANKEE NUCLEAR POWER CORPORATION 9
Warren P.
rphy
}
Vice Pres' ent and Manager of Operations
/dm cc: USNRC Regional Administrate". Reo42n I USNRC Resident Inspector, VYNFs
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