ML23166B129
| ML23166B129 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/15/2023 |
| From: | NRC/OCM |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML23110A703 | List: |
| References | |
| M230620 | |
| Download: ML23166B129 (1) | |
Text
Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director Dr. Laurie E. Locascio Director (A), NIST Center for Neutron Research Dr. James M. Adams Deputy Director & Chief of Reactor Operations and Engineering Dr. Thomas H. Newton June 20, 2023
- Instruments, Equipment, Tools
- Latch verification equipment and tools
- Procedures
- Latch checking procedures
- Procedural compliance and procedure adequacy
- Qualifications & Training
- Training and qualification program
- Management Systems
- Change management system
- Supervisor oversight of refueling operations
- Safety Culture assessment 2
Key Contributing Factors
Corrective Actions:
Organizational Realignment
- Aging Reactor Management Program
- Chief: Reports to Chief of Reactor Operations and Engineering
- Supervision of Maintenance Staff
- Document management and material history system
- Observation program for staff and management
- Reactor Operations: 5th Shift
- Rotating shifts: all operators undergo monthly training
- Resources made available by NIST leadership
- Recruitment and hiring in progress
- Training program
- Training Manager: Reports to Chief of Reactor Operations
- Enhanced standards for qualification and proficiency
- Resources made available by NIST leadership
Corrective Actions:
Facility and Procedures Procedures revised and updated Update based on INPO 11-003 Enhanced 50.59 review for changes to procedures Personnel Commitment and Adherence Safety is integrated more completely into procedures
Corrective Actions:
Problem Identification & Resolution Corrective Action Plan Integrated with other maintenance and audit programs Tiered by significance to safety System health review: System Review Teams Continual improvement All NCNR-ROE staff involved in detailed corrective actions implementation and recovery tasks Annual benchmarking with other facilities
Corrective Actions:
Safety Culture Changes Plan of the Day meetings: AM and PM Safety discussion: Daily In-Depth discussion: Weekly, Selected safety events Reorganization of Center safety structure Safety Culture training: Reactor Operation & Engineering / Health Physics Observation Program: All levels of NCNR management Employee Engagement: Safety recognition
Project management with detailed work breakdown structure: 63%
Independent assessment of programs
- Safety Culture Procedures
- Problem Identification & Resolution Training
- Event Root Cause Safety Assessment Committee Training: startup proficiency, examinations in July Procedure Update: 30-month effort Benchmarking: ongoing Employee engagement: Rewards & Recognition Leadership accountability, safety culture training Technical issues: latching, NI monitoring, CO2 Secure on Scram Confirmatory Order 7
- Extensive cleanup efforts were made throughout 2022
- Nearly all material was removed
- A very small quantity remains
- LAR for operation with small amounts of unclad fuel
- Multiple discussions with NRC staff
- Submitted October 19, 2022
- LA approval: February 1, 2023 Operation with Unclad Fuel Debris
Current Status -2023 Low power operations ( 1MW)
Operation with very small quantity of material in the primary Approved License Amendment Fission Products: Minor FP contamination in auxiliary-equipment spaces: not occupied spaces Minute amounts of FP seen in effluents Short-and long-term engineering fixes in process Operations at 1 MW commenced June 1 Preparation for operator licensing Higher power levels require support from additional licensed operators to 24/7 operations
Future Activities System testing and modification Operations at higher power levels: Very close monitoring Procedure updates Stand-up training shift Continued assessment of safety culture progress Quality Assurance Program Corrective Action Program Safety programs Open and continual communication with our NRC team members