ML20137G055

Forwards Insp Rept 50-271/85-21 on 850809.Concerns Re 850808 whole-body Exposure Listed

ML20137G055
Person / Time
Site:	Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png
Issue date:	08/20/1985
From:	Martin T NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
To:	Murphy W VERMONT YANKEE NUCLEAR POWER CORP.
Shared Package
ML20137G059	List: ML20137G055 ML20137G067
References
NUDOCS 8508270158
Download: ML20137G055 (2)

See also: IR 05000271/1985021

Text

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9

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AUG 2 01985

Docket No. 50-271

Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation

ATTN: Mr. Warren P. Murphy

Vice President and Manager

of Operations

RD 5, Box 169

Ferry Road

Brattleboro, Vermont 05301

Gentlemen:

Subject: Inspection 50-271/85-21

This letter and attached inspection report presents findings of a special

inspection conducted by Dr. W. Pasciak of this office on August 9, 1985, at

the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station, Vernon, Vermont, of activities

authorized by NRC License No. DPR-28, and also refers to the discussion of our

findings with Mr. W. Conway at the conclusion of the inspection.

Areas examined during this inspection are described in the NRC Region I Inspec-

tion Report which is enclosed with this letter. The inspection of your Radio-

logical Safety Program consisted of selective examination of procedures and

representative records, interviews with personnel, and observations by the

inspector in connection with the circumstances surrounding the August 8, 1985,

, unplanned whole-body exposure of a technician.

Our review of the circumstances surrounding the August 8, 1985, unplanned

whole-body exposure of a chemistry-health physics technician indicates that

inadequate communication of precautionary instructions to the technician was

the prime causal factor resulting in the unplanned exposure. Although the

technician did not receive exposures in excess of regulatory limits, we are

concerned that the circumstances surrounding this event created a substantial

potential for such exposures. The actual radiation levels emanating from

equipment in the room were high enough so that it is fortuitous that an occu-

pational exposure in excess of NRC regulations did not occur. We are partic-

ularly concerned that health physics supervision allowed a technician of lim-

ited experience into the TIP room while aware of the potential for high ex-

posure rates. We are also concerned that no special formal procedure existed

for e7try into this area. Although this finding was identified by you, we are

concerned with your lack of management controls that failed to provide adequate

precautionary instructions. We are aware that you have already taken interim

measures to correct this problem and are in the process of finding a long-term

solution. The apparent violation identified in our review of this event is

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discussed in the enclosed report. The need for and nature of appropriata

enforcement action relative to the apparent violation will be the subject of

separate correspondence at a later time.

Sincerely,

Qiirini signed BY 8

Thomas T. Martin, Director

Division of Radiation Safety

and Safeguards

Enclosure: NRC Region I Inspection Report No. 50-271/85-21

cc w/ encl: C

Mr. R. W. Capstick, Licensing Engineer

Mr. W. F. Conway, President and Chief Executive Officer

Mr. J. P. Pelletier, Plant Manager

Mr. Donald Hunter, Vice President

Mr. Cort Richardson, Vermont Public

Interest Research Group, Inc.

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Local Public Document Room (LPDR)

Nuclear Safety Information Center (NSIC)

NRC Resident Inspector

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State of Vermont

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Region I Docket Room (with concurrences)

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