ML24065A306
| ML24065A306 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 01/30/2024 |
| From: | Randy Erickson NRC/RGN-IV/DRSS |
| To: | |
| References | |
| Download: ML24065A306 (1) | |
Text
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HEIGHTENED OVERSIGHT CONFERENCE CALL
SUMMARY
JANUARY 30, 2024 Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attendees Washington Department of Health (DOH) Attendees Kevin Williams, Director MSST, NMSS Jill Wood, Director Tammy Bloomer, Director, DRSS, Region IV Earl Fordham, Deputy Director Robert Johnson, IMPEP Project Manager, NMSS John Martell, Acting Deputy Director Lee Smith, Intergovernmental Liaison Project Manager Brennagh Greene, Supervisor Jackie Cook, RSAO, Region IV Randy Erickson, RSAO, Region IV BACKGROUND During the 2022 IMPEP review (ML22206A205), Washington was found to be satisfactory for four performance indicators, satisfactory but needs improvement for three performance indicators including Technical Staffing and Training; Technical Quality of Inspections; and Legislation, Regulations, and Other Program Elements (LROPE), and unsatisfactory for two performance indicators including Technical Quality of Incident and Allegation Activities; and Technical Quality of Licensing Actions. Technical Quality of Incident and Allegation Activities had declined from satisfactory in 2018 to unsatisfactory in 2022; and, Legislation, Regulations, and Other Program Elements had declined from satisfactory but needs improvement in 2018 to unsatisfactory in 2022.
The IMPEP team recommended that one of the two 2018 IMPEP review recommendations be closed, the 2018 staffing and training recommendation be left open and modified; and that eight additional recommendations be opened. The Program was found to be adequate to protect public health and safety but needs improvement, and not compatible with NRCs program.
Based on the results of the 2022 IMPEP review and the decline in program performance, Washington was placed on a period of heightened oversight.
The following is a summary of the most recent Program updated status based on their reported information which was held on January 30, 2024 (ML24026A085).
Technical Staffing and Training Summary of the call with Washington on January 30, 2024 Washington stated that they have completed interviews for the remaining HP-3 position and were planning to make an offer by the end of the week. They added that they were going to begin interviews for the two vacant HP-2 positions, that the candidate pool was good and included two applicants who came with full qualifications in licensing from other programs. They
further noted that the licensing course had been held in Oregon the week of December 11-14, 2023, and that the remaining staff had attended and successfully completed the class.
Washington had initially completed their review and revision of the training program but decided to reopen and reevaluate it again to ensure that it is aligned with current operations. The procedures are still under evaluation.
Staff training continues with their Arizona contractor scheduled to return to Washington in February 2024 to perform inspections and to provide training on medical inspections to the staff.
Additional training is being provided soon by NRC with two Region IV inspectors traveling to Washington soon to provide additional assistance and field training on industrial inspections.
Status of Materials Inspection Program Summary of the call with Washington on January 30, 2024 The program reported that their Arizona contractor was scheduled to return in mid-February to perform additional inspections on their more complex licensees; and to provide medical inspection training to the staff. They also reported that their backlog of overdue inspections continues to drop.
Technical Quality of Inspections Summary of the call with Washington on January 30, 2024 The program had nothing additional to report.
Technical Quality of Licensing Actions Summary of the call with Washington on January 30, 2024 The program reported that the contract with the consulting company had been finalized and they were now beginning to perform licensing work for the program. Work was currently being sent to the licensing contractor and work was being performed in a timely manner. Additionally, NRC staff have reviewed and assisted Washington on some of their more complex recent licensing actions. This work was ongoing and is expected to continue on an as needed basis.
Technical Quality of Incidents and Allegation Activities Summary of the call with Washington on January 30, 2024 During the December 4th call with Washington, they reported that they have completed all the recommendations in the incidents and allegations indicator.
Legislation, Regulations, and Other Program Elements Summary of the call with Washington on January 30, 2023 Washington reported that they have completed several of the tasks associated with the LROPE indicator, and that they are continuing to work through rule adoption and review their procedures and templates to better align with NRC procedures.