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{{#Wiki_filter:JANET SCHLUETER Sr. Advisor, Fuel and Radiation Safety 1201 F Street, NW, Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20004 P: 202.739.8098 jrs@nei.org nei.org April 20, 2021 Ms. Andrea Kock Director, Division of Fuel Management U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001
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==Subject:==
Industry-Suggested Edits to Inspection Manual Chapter 0616 (April 2021 version) to Resolve Concerns Discussed in a July 24, 2020 Industry Letter and During NRC Public Meetings; Regarding the Regulatory Basis for Cited Violations Involving Degraded or Failed Management Measures Reference No: 689
 
==Dear Ms. Kock,==
 
This letter is sent on behalf of fuel cycle facility members of the Nuclear Energy Institute 1 (NEI). This input supplements the July 24, 2020 NEI letter and discussions during the May and October 2020 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) public meetings, as well as the NRC March 24-25, 2021 Fuel Facility Stakeholders public meeting. We trust NRC will find our input clear, well-informed and useful as we continue to work together to resolve this low safety significant issue in the near term.
Context for Industry Input During the March 2021 public meeting, NRC and industry mutually acknowledged that any two persons could interpretand have interpretedthe plain English language of existing Part 70 requirements and related enforcement guidance (including Inspection Manual Chapter (IMC) 0616) differently, despite NRCs effort to issue clear guidance. Industry appreciates NRCs suggestion during the meeting that industry consider submitting proposed edits to IMC 0616 to improve its clarity and reflect a more risk-informed approach. Since then, NRC released an April 2021 version of IMC 0616; thus, our markup is based on that version and not the 2017 version discussed during the prior NRC meetings. Industrys suggested edits are earnestly submitted to provide a durable and transparent clarification of existing NRC requirements while applying a risk-informed approach to implementation. Finally, as we also discussed, a Spring 2021 public meeting where industry would discuss these edits to help ensure a mutual understanding of intent and purpose is desired.
1 The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) is responsible for establishing unified policy on behalf of its members relating to matters affecting the nuclear energy industry, including the regulatory aspects of generic operational and technical issues. NEIs members include entities licensed to operate commercial nuclear power plants in the United States, nuclear plant designers, major architect and engineering firms, fuel cycle facilities, nuclear materials licensees, and other organizations involved in the nuclear energy industry.
 
Andrea Kock April 20, 2021 Page 2 An important point in the July 2020 letter to NRC bears repeating. Specifically, the regulatory basis for some Severity Level IV violations that occurred during 2014-2017 was, and is still, not transparent to industry. As a preliminary matter, it is not clearbased on the rule languagethat a failed or degraded management measure which does not result in a failure to meet the performance requirements of 10 CFR 70.61 is a violation at all. As discussed, 10 CFR 70.61(e) is qualified by the phrase when needed and in the context of the performance requirements of this section. Additionally, 10 CFR 70.62 (a) includes the phrase demonstrates compliance with the performance requirements of 70.61 and 10 CFR 70.62(d) states to ensure compliance with the performance requirements of 70.61. Additionally, page 45, (d).1 of the Enforcement Policy states fails to meet the requirements of 10 CFR 70.61, Performance Requirement, and (d).2 stipulates that an acceptable safety margin has not been maintained. Each and every regulatory basis cited herein indicates that performance requirements must have been failed to reach the threshold of a violation. If it is a violation, industrys opinion is that it should be considered not more than minor based on its low safety significance. As part of resolving this issue, NRC should carefully review relevant Enforcement-related language to ensure that its implementation is consistent with the rule and relevant guidance. Such an approach will help provide a durable resolution of this issue where future misinterpretations by industry or NRC are not possible.
Overview of Industry Suggested Edits  contains a markup of IMC 0616 (April 2021 version). Attachment 2 contains a change table to provide the specific reference, suggested edit and bases. These edits are intended to: 1) improve the guidance for assessing whether a violation is minor or more than minor; 2) clarify management measure related language to ensure it aligns with exiting requirements in 70.62(d); and 3) remove the revised risk screening information that was added to the August 2017 version of IMC 0616 which has been the primary source of confusion.
As stated previously, we appreciate this opportunity and look forward to a Spring 2021 public meeting on our suggested edits to, in part, ensure a mutual understanding of their intent and purpose. Please reach out to me with any questions on the content of this letter and to schedule the next public meeting.
Sincerely, Janet Schlueter : Industry Markup for NRC Consideration - IMC 0616, April 2021 version : Change Table and Basis Document c:      Leira Cuadrado, NRC/NMSS/DFM/IOB Eric Michel, NRC/RII/DFFI LaDonna Suggs, NRC/RII/DFFI
 
INDUSTRY MARKUP - IMC 0616, APRIL 2021 VERSION APPENDIX B, EXAMPLES OF MINOR VIOLATIONS The purpose of this appendix is to provide the NRC staff with screening criteria to support the minor/more-than-minor threshold determination for violations.
Minor Violations Minor violations do not reach the level of significance associated with Severity Level (SL) IV violations and are not typically the subject of formal enforcement action or documentation. (See NRC Enforcement Manual, Part 1, Section 2.1, Minor Violations, for more information).
While not normally documented, licensees must still correct minor violations in order to restore compliance.
Screening Process When determining whether identified violations can be considered minor, inspectors should first review the applicable examples in Section 6.0, Violation Examples, of the NRC Enforcement Policy to see if the violation aligns with any of the examples for SL-I through SL-IV violations. If so, the violation is more-than-minor. Otherwise, the inspector should review all relevant general and program area questions contained in IMC 0616 Appendix B. Each of the fuel cycle functional area questions may need to be considered to determine if the violation is more than minor. Inspectors should then consider the specific examples at the end of this appendix to inform their responses to the screening questions. In general, if the answer to all the applicable screening questions is no, then the violation is minor. Conversely, if the answer to any at least one of the screening questions is yes, the violation is may be generally more-than-minor.
However, for risk-based non-compliances the inspector should consider the overall risk associated with the non-compliance. Non-compliances that result in a failure to meet the likelihood requirements of §70.61(b), (c), or (d) should generally be considered more-than-minor. However, non-compliances that do not result in a failure to meet the likelihood requirements of §70.61(b), (c), or (d) are not necessarily minor as negative impacts to the ability of an IROFS to perform its intended safety function are generally significant. In considering the overall risk associated with the non-compliance, the inspector should assess 1) the overall change in risk resulting from the non-compliance and 2) any remaining risk margin above and beyond the likelihood requirements of §70.61(b) and (c). In assessing the overall change in risk resulting from the non-compliance, non-compliances involving a substantial change in the overall risk of the applicable accident sequence(s) are generally more significant than those that result in a negligible change in risk. An example of this is the failure of a passive engineered control, resulting in a risk index shift of -4, versus a simple administrative control resulting in a risk index shift of -2. In this case, the failure of the passive engineered control should generally be considered more significant than that of a simple administrative control. In assessing any remaining risk margin above and beyond the likelihood requirements of §70.61(b) and (c), non-compliances involving little to no remaining risk margin are generally more significant than those that involve substantial margin above and beyond the likelihood requirements of §70.61(b) and (c). An example of this is the failure of an administrative control, resulting in the overall likelihood of the applicable accident sequence(s) to shift from -6 to -4 at a facility whose ISA methodology defines highly unlikely as -4, versus the failure of an administrative control resulting in the overall likelihood to shift from -8 to -6. Although both failures resulted in an overall change in risk of -2, the failures had different impacts to the remaining risk margin and likelihood of the accident sequence(s). For risk-based non-compliances involving a failure to Issue Date: 04/01/21                              AppB-1                                          0616
 
meet the Double Contingency Principle or §70.61(d), the inspector should consider the parametric sensitivity to the failure. In general, failures that affect a highly sensitive parameter should be considered more significant than those that affect a relatively insensitive parameter.
Screening Questions:
General
: 1. Could the violation reasonably be considered a precursor to a significant event?
: 2. If left uncorrected, would the violation have the potential to lead to a more significant safety or safeguards concern? (e.g., had the licensee or NRC got lucky by catching not discovered it, but it would could have eventually lead to a more significant issue)
: 3. Is the violation indicative of a programmatic deficiency? (e.g., involves multiple examples of a failure to establish or implement an adequate program, process, procedure, management measure, or quality oversight function as described in the license application or license).
Integrated Safety Analysis (ISA)
: 4. Does the violation result in a change in risk such that the licensee fails to meet 10 CFR 70.61(b) or (c) performance requirements?
: 5. Does the violation involve a failure by the licensee to designate an engineered or administrative control as an IROFS as required by 10 CFR 70.61(e) and is it required to meet 70.61(b) or (c)?
: 6. Does the violation involve the failure of a management measure such that an IROFS would not be available or reliable to perform its intended safety function when needed as required by 10 CFR 70.61(e) and 70.62(d) and is it risk significantfails to meet performance requirements? Consider the risk of the non-compliance in accordance with the Appendix B preface.
: 7. For facilities without an ISA, does the violation represent a reduction in safety margin significant increased likelihood in safety consequences compared to the latest licensing documents and safety analysis?
: 8. Does the violation adversely affect the ability of an IROFS or safety related component to perform its intended safety function when needed andthat result in a failure to meet performance requirements? Consider the risk of the noncompliance in accordance with the Appendix B preface.
Criticality Safety
: 9. Does the violation result in a failure to meet the double contingency principle?
: 10. Does the violation result in the criticality accident alarm system being unable to detect or activate an alarm signal (audible or visual) during a time period when fissile material was handled, used, or stored?
: 11. Does the violation result in the failure to ensure that all nuclear processes are subcritical with an approved margin of sub-criticality for all normal and credible abnormal conditions as required by 10 CFR 70.61(d)? Consider the risk of the non-Issue Date: 04/01/21                            AppB-2                                          0616
 
compliance in accordance with the Appendix B preface.
Fire Protection
: 12. Does the violation degrade the ability of a fire safety system or control to perform its intended safety function and is it determined to be risk or regulatory significant as defined in the Integrated Safety Analysis (ISA) or Fire Hazards Analysis (FHA)?
Consider the risk of the non-compliance in accordance with the Appendix B preface.
Plant Modifications
: 13. Does the violation involve a failure to properly perform a 10 CFR 70.72 evaluation where the licensee failed to obtain a license amendment for the change?
: 14. Does the violation represent a non-conservative error in a specification, computer program, design report, drawing, calculation, safety analysis, or other design document that adversely impacts nuclear safety (e.g., IROFS, criticality controls, radiological exposure of personnel, etc.)? Consider the risk of the non-compliance in accordance with the Appendix B preface.
Radiological Protection
: 15. Does the violation involve the failure to establish radiological controls and lead to a significant unplanned or unintended intake or dose to an individual?
: 16. Does the violation involve the ability of a radiation monitoring instrument to perform its intended safety function within a reasonable level of safety margin and to provide reasonable assurance of adequate protection considering the overall level of radiological hazard being monitored?
: 17. Does the violation involve the spread of contamination beyond designated controlled areas and does it result in either significant unplanned exposure (either external or internal) or multiple personnel contamination events?
Environmental
: 18. Does the violation involve the spread of contamination beyond designated controlled areas and does it result in either significant unplanned exposure (either external or internal) or multiple personnel contamination events?
: 19. Does the violation result in the inability of the licensee to adequately measure or characterize an effluent release?
: 20. Is the violation the result of improper calibration of an effluent monitor and does it result in a non-conservative inaccuracy in characterizing an effluent release?
: 21. Is the violation associated with the licensees radiological environmental monitoring program and is it contrary to NRC regulations, license, license application, or environmental report?
Radioactive Waste/Transportation Issue Date: 04/01/21                          AppB-3                                            0616
: 22. Does the violation result in exceeding radiation levels or 5 times the removable surface contamination limits for a transportation package as defined in 49 CFR 173 or 10 CFR Part 71?
: 23. Does the violation result in the breach of a transport package?
: 24. Does the violation involve a failure to identify the type, quantity, or form of the material and does it have the potential to result in unplanned personnel exposure or contamination?
: 25. Does the violation involve an NRC-approved transport package Certificate of Conformance (CoC) design documentation deficiency, maintenance/use noncompliance, or contents deficiency of minor safety significance (i.e., not a geometry, weight, enrichment, or moderator specification nonconformance)?
: 26. Does the violation involve a failure to meet a QA requirement and does it result in improper characterization, classification, or disposal of the waste?
: 27. Does the violation involve a failure to properly characterize, classify, label, track, or dispose of radioactive waste and does it result in (1) the failure to meet a disposal facility's waste acceptance criteria, or (2) unplanned personnel exposure or contamination?
Emergency Preparedness
: 28. Is the violation associated with a failure to implement a regulatory requirement during an actual emergency or a failure to implement a regulatory requirement affecting the public during a graded exercise?
: 29. Is the violation associated with the failure to comply with a regulatory requirement and does it at a minimum degrade (i.e., not fully effective or inappropriately delayed) the ability of the licensee to respond to an emergency as described in the licensees Emergency Plan?
: 30. Does the violation render an Emergency Action Level (EAL) initiating condition (IC) ineffective? (EALs may be rendered ineffective by unavailability or non-calibrated instruments relied upon by the EAL, errors in calculation of the EAL threshold, and by deficiencies in classification procedures, Emergency Response Organization staffing or training, or any other capability necessary to complete the classification or declaration.)
: 31. Does the violation involve the failure of the licensee to identify and correct deficiencies identified during an emergency exercise, or audit, or based on internal and or external feedback?
Material Control & Accounting (MC&A)
: 32. Does the violation adversely impact or degrade the effectiveness of the MC&A program?
: 33. Does the violation represent more than an isolated failure to establish or implement an adequate program, process, procedure, or quality oversight function as described in the Fundamental Nuclear Material Control Plan (FNMC)?
Issue Date: 04/01/21                          AppB-4                                            0616
 
Physical Security
: 34. Does the violation for Category I fuel cycle facilities adversely affect licensees security systems and/or material control and accountability programs defense-in-depth approach and ability to protect against: (1) the design basis threat of radiological sabotage from external and internal threats or (2) the design basis threat of theft or diversion of special nuclear material from external and internal threats?
: 35. Does the violation for Category II and III fuel cycle facilities adversely affect licensees security systems and/or material control and accountability programs ability to: (1) minimize the possibilities for unauthorized removal of special nuclear material or (2) facilitate the location and recovery of missing special nuclear material?
: 36. Does the violation for Conversion and Deconversion facilities adversely affect licensees security systems and/or material control and accountability programs ability to: (1) protect hazardous chemical storage areas, (2) protect against radiological sabotage, or (3) protect against the loss, theft, or diversion of radiological materials, source material or byproduct material?
Minor/More-than-Minor Examples
: 1.                      Operations/Chemical Safety Example 1a:              Operators were starting up a furnace from a maintenance shutdown.
They were at a temperature hold point where combustible gas was to be admitted in an inert concentration. The operators attempted to admit the gas, but two sequential isolation valves, once opened, failed shut. The operators found the manual isolation valve shut (normally open unless recovering from a long-term shutdown) as the result of a required tag out of several components for the previous maintenance. The lock-out/tag out procedure requires steps or comments regarding system restoration following tag out release, specifically if the operating procedure does not cover component restoration. In this case, the reconfiguration instructions were missing.
The violation:          The licensee failed to perform activities in accordance with site procedures as required by the license. The lock-out/tag-out (LO/TO) procedure requires steps or comments regarding system restoration following tag out release if the operating procedure does not cover component restoration.
Minor because:          The system was isolated in a safe configuration with no adverse nuclear or radiological safety impact on equipment/personnel and no ability to proceed further.
Issue Date: 04/01/21                            AppB-5                                          0616
 
Not minor if:        The system was in an unsafe configuration that adversely impacted nuclear or radiological safety of equipment/personnel; or there were indications of a programmatic breakdown in the LO/TO process.
NOTE:                A LO/TO violation that adversely impacts life safety (e.g., injury or fatality), but does not impact nuclear or radiological safety, is considered an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issue and is not enforceable under NRC requirements. Refer to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NRC and OSHA for additional information.
Example 1b:          The inspector determined that the licensee was using an outdated version of an operating procedure to perform a system valve/component line-up prior to start-up of an ammonium diuranate (ADU) conversion area processing system. Correct valve configuration was credited as an administrative IROFS in the ISA. Licensee procedures require personnel to verify the correct version of the procedure prior to use. The licensee credited procedure use and adherence and configuration management as management measures in the license application.
The violation:      The licensee failed to implement establish or maintain management measures (procedure use and adherence and configuration management) as required by 10 CFR 70.61(e) and 70.62(d) to ensure that IROFS were available and reliable to perform their function when needed to comply with the performance requirements of Part 70.61.
Minor because:      The procedure changes were minor or administrative; or the changes did not adversely impact the positioning or safety function of an IROFS.
Not minor if:        The changes adversely impacted the positioning and safety function of an IROFS.
Example 1c:          Post-maintenance testing was performed on five IROFS furnace temperature controllers during an outage at a fuel facility manufacturer.
All the required tests were performed, based on statements from licensee workers, but there was no record that an actual post-maintenance test was conducted on one of the controllers. Based on indication in the control room, all temperature controllers had comparable temperature readings including the controller that did not have documented post-maintenance test results. Furnace temperature readings were within the required operating range. Recordkeeping and reporting was credited as a management measure in the license application.
The violation:      The licensee failed to implement establish or maintain management measures (recordkeeping and reporting) per 10 CFR 70.61(e) and 70.62(d) for an IROFS due to a Issue Date: 04/01/21                          AppB-6                                          0616
 
lack of documented test results (records) verifying that test requirements were satisfied.
Minor because:      This was an isolated example of a record keeping issue of low safety significance. There was reasonable assurance that post-maintenance test requirements were met as evidenced by actual furnace temperature readings being within limits.
Not minor if:        The temperature controller was determined to be degraded during subsequent testing and not capable of performing its intended safety function.
Example 1d:          A licensee procedure required specific IROFS valves on a locked valve list to be locked as indicated on plant Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs). Inspectors identified IROFS designated valves on the locked valve list that were not indicated as locked on the P&IDs. The licensee is required to implement a configuration management program to ensure that the information used to operate and maintain safety controls is kept current. Configuration management was credited as a management measure in the license application.
The violation:      The licensee failed to implement establish or maintain management measures (configuration management) as required by 10 CFR 70.61(e) and 70.62(d) to ensure that IROFS were available and reliable to perform their function when needed to comply with the performance requirements of 10 CFR 70.61.
Minor because:      This is an insignificant drawing discrepancy; or the valves were found positioned/locked in positions did not adversely impact an IROFS safety function.
Not minor if:        The valves were found positioned/locked in positions that adversely impacted an IROFS safety function.
Example 1e:          The inspectors identified that an operator performing IROFS-related duties failed to meet operator requalification training requirements.
Training and qualification was credited as management measure in the license application.
The violation:      The licensee failed to implement establish or maintain management measures (training and qualification) as required by 10 CFR 70.61(e) and 70.62(d) to ensure that IROFS were available and reliable to perform their function when needed to comply with the performance requirements of 10 CFR 70.61.
Minor because:      All operations continued to be performed in a safe and controlled manner and the operator, when interviewed, exhibited a clear understanding of Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-7                                        0616
 
his/her assigned IROFS-related duties; or the discrepancy was the result of a minor administrative or training documentation error.
Not minor if:        The operator incorrectly performed tasks that impacted the ability of an IROFS to perform its intended safety function; or when interviewed, the operator did not have a clear understanding of his/her assigned IROFS-related duties.
Example 1f:          The inspectors identified during a walkdown that the differential pressure readings for ventilation high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters were outside their normal operational band. The operating procedure requires the operators to log the readings once per shift. The primary safety concerns are failure to detect a filter breakthrough (low differential pressure) or filter overloading (high differential pressure). The inspector reviewed the latest operator logs and determined that the operators had failed to log the readings during the previous two shifts. Procedure use and adherence was credited as a management measure in the license application.
The violation:      The licensee failed to implement establish or maintain management measures (procedure use and adherence) as required by 10 CFR 70.61(e) and 70.62(d) to ensure that IROFS were available and reliable to perform their function when needed to comply with the performance requirements of 10 CFR 70.61.
Minor because:      Monitoring of HEPA filter differential pressure was not credited as an administrative IROFS in the ISA.
Not minor if:        Monitoring of HEPA differential pressure was credited as an administrative IROFS in the ISA.
Example 1g:          During a walkdown, the inspectors identified that operators routinely left a chemical supply valve open following each filling of the chemical column.
The procedure requires that the valve be closed between chemical fills.
Valve position verification was credited as an administrative IROFS in the ISA. Procedure use and adherence was credited as a management measure in the license application.
The violation:      The licensee failed to implement establish or maintain management measures (procedure use and adherence) as required by 10 CFR 70.61(e) and 70.62(d) to ensure that IROFS were available and reliable to perform their function when needed to comply with the performance requirements of 10 CFR 70.61.
Minor because:      Failure to properly position the valve did not adversely impact the safety function of the component/system.
Not minor if:        Failure to properly position the valve did adversely impact the safety function of the component/system.
Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-8                                          0616
 
Example 1h:          During a walkdown of product staging columns, the inspectors identified numerous missing component identification tags, several tags on the floor, and loosely attached tags that had slipped away from components.
Site conduct of operations procedures require that components be labeled. Procedure use and adherence was credited as a management measure in the license application.
The violation:        The licensee failed to implement establish or maintain management measures (procedure use and adherence) as required by 10 CFR 70.61(e) and 70.62(d) to ensure that IROFS were available and reliable to perform their function when needed to comply with the performance requirements of 10 CFR 70.61.
Minor because:        Component labeling issues did not contribute to operational evolutions that adversely impacted nuclear safety (e.g., safety function of an IROFS) or radiological safety of personnel.
Not minor if:        Component labeling issues did contribute to operational evolutions that adversely impacted nuclear safety or radiological safety of personnel.
NOTE:                  Component labeling issues that adversely impact personnel/life safety, but do not impact nuclear or radiological safety of personnel, should be handled by OSHA according to the MOU between OSHA and NRC.
Example 1i:          During a walk down, the inspectors identified numerous scales that were one to several days past their calibration due dates. The scales were designated as IROFS for the prevention of criticality. Maintenance, which includes calibration of IROFS equipment, was credited as a management measure in the license application.
The violation:        The licensee failed to implement establish or maintain management measures (maintenance) as required by 10 CFR 70.61(e) and 70.62(d) to ensure that IROFS were available and reliable to perform their function when needed to comply with the performance requirements of 10 CFR 70.61.
Minor because:        Subsequent calibrations of the scales were satisfactory, requiring no adjustments; or the scales were not used since the last calibration; or the scales were out of calibration in the conservative direction.
Not minor if:        Subsequent calibrations of the scales were unsatisfactory in the non-conservative direction.
Example 1j:          The licensee failed to implement establish or maintain adequate management measures, resulting in a condition where an IROFS was unavailable, unreliable, or less reliable than assumed in the ISA.
Issue Date: 04/01/21                          AppB-9                                        0616
 
The violation:      The licensee failed to implement establish or maintain management measures per 10 CFR 70.61(e) and 70.62(d), to ensure that an IROFS remained available and reliable. which led to the IROFS degradation or failure not being within the analyzed failure rate.
Minor because:        The licensee maintained significant risk margin above and beyond the performance requirements of §70.61(b) and (c); or the overall change in risk resulting from the failure was low, and the licensee maintained some level of risk margin above and beyond the requirements of §70.61(b) and (c).The licensee maintained a risk index that meets the performance requirements of §70.61.
Also minor if:        The inspectors determined that the degradation or failure of the IROFS was within its analyzed failure rate assumed in the ISA; or the licensee could credit IROFS from other accident sequences to ensure the accident remains highly unlikely.
Not minor if:        The failure resulted in no remaining risk margin above and beyond the performance requirements of §70.61(b) and (c); or the overall change in risk resulting from the failure was high, and the licensee did not maintain a significant level of risk margin above and beyond the requirements of
                      §70.61(b) and (c). The degradation or failure resulted in the licensee not meeting the performance requirements of §70.61.
: 2.                    Criticality Safety Example 2a:          During a criticality safety inspection, the inspector determined that the licensee failed to meet the double contingency principle which requires that at least two unlikely, independent, and concurrent changes in process conditions must occur before a criticality accident is possible.
The violation:        The licensee failed to meet double contingency as required by 10 CFR 70.64(a)(9), which requires that the design provide for criticality control including adherence to the double contingency principle for new facilities or processes. For existing facilities, adherence to the double contingency principle is specified as a license condition.
Minor because:        The licensee only documented a subset of the changes in process conditions that would have to occur to cause a criticality. Upon further review and discussions with the licensee, the inspector determined that an additional, although undocumented for double contingency, unlikely, independent, and concurrent change in process conditions would have had to occur to result in a criticality.
Not minor if:        Upon further review, the inspector determined that criticality could occur without at least two unlikely, independent, and concurrent changes in process conditions.
Example 2b:          Following an audit of the licensees Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS)
Issue Date: 04/01/21                          AppB-10                                        0616
 
program by external auditors the licensee failed to enter the findings the auditors identified into their corrective action program.
The Violation:      Failure to enter audit findings into their corrective action program as required by procedure. The use of procedures is credited as a management measure in the license application.
Minor because:      The finding identified by the external auditors was merely a programmatic improvement to the licensees NCS program or an editorial change.
Not Minor if:        The finding identified by the external auditors was a violation that the licensee failed to take corrective actions to correct.
Example 2c:          The licensee identified that a required NCS signature for work on an out of service component had not been obtained. Licensee management identified the issue almost immediately and corrected the situation by performing the required NCS review.
The Violation:      Failure to obtain the required NCS review and approval per procedure.
Minor because:      It was identified and corrected by the licensee before the system was returned to service, or upon return to service the component was still able to perform its intended safety function.
Not Minor if:        It was identified after the system was returned to service; and the component was unable to perform its intended safety function.
Example 2d:          Inspectors observed that an NCS analysis had been performed using a different set of assumptions than those committed to in the license application. The inspectors determined that the modeled conditions adequately bounded the as-built configuration and were within the validated area of applicability.
The Violation:      Use of technical practices contrary to those committed to in the license.
Minor because:      Assumptions bounded the as-built conditions and were within the bounds of the validation report.
Not Minor if:        The modeled conditions were not conservative or were significantly outside the validations area of applicability (AOA), or resulted in a significant reduction in the approved margin of subcriticality for safety.
NOTE:                To determine if the reduction in the margin of subcriticality is significant, or if the deviation from the AOA is significant, see Example j.
Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-11                                          0616
 
Example 2e:          An inspector noted that some NCS analyses had been performed by contractor NCS engineers (who were qualified by their organization). The inspector questioned whether the contract engineers had been qualified as licensee NCS engineers. The licensee stated that the contractor engineers had not completed the licensees NCS engineer qualification program and initiated corrective actions to complete their qualification.
The Violation:      Failure to qualify NCS engineers per the requirements of the license application.
Minor because:      The inspector did not identify any safety concerns regarding the content of the analyses performed by the contractor engineers.
Not Minor if:        The NCS engineers had established and implemented controls in the field that were substantially incorrect, and did not provide a reasonable level of NCS assurance.
Example 2f:          This event involves a failure to perform a required test for the presence of moderator. The test has never detected an accumulation of moderator, which is subject to upstream controls. The licensee credited these upstream controls to prevent an accumulation of moderator from occurring.
The Violation:      Failure to perform a required test for the presence of moderator.
Minor because:      The required testing when completed did not detect an accumulation of moderator; and the licensee continued to meet double contingency.
Not Minor if:        The required testing when completed did detect an accumulation of moderator; or the upstream and other controls or IROFS had been insufficient to maintain double contingency.
Example 2g:          The licensee returned the criticality alarm system to service following maintenance without performing the required post-maintenance test.
The violation:      10 CFR 70.24 requires the licensee to maintain a monitoring system capable of detecting a criticality accident. Maintenance was not conducted in accordance with procedures.
Minor because:      The licensee later performed the required post-maintenance testing with no identified deficiencies.
Not minor if:        When the licensee performed the required post-maintenance test, the alarm system failed.
Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-12                                          0616
 
Example 2h:          The licensee failed to post an area as a moderator-controlled area.
Preventing the introduction of moderators into the area is credited as an administrative IROFS in the license application.
The violation:        The licensee committed to post appropriate criticality safety precautions and prohibitions at the entrance to affected process areas in the license application.
Minor because:      Failure to provide the posting was an isolated incident (e.g., sign was inadvertently removed or sign fell down) and no moderator material actually entered the room during the time the posting was missing.
Not minor if:        Significant mModerator material was found in or entered the room as a result of the deficient posting; or failure to meet double contingency.
Example 2i:          The inspectors determined through a review of documentation that the licensee failed to verify criticality safety dimensions following a facility modification. The dimensions were credited as a passive geometry control in the nuclear criticality safety analysis (NCSA).
The violation:      The licensee failed to verify passive engineered NCS controls at the time of installation as required by the license application. The licensee is required to meet 10 CFR 70.61 performance requirements.
Minor because:      The licensee performed the required measurements and determined that they were within the established dimensions (or acceptance criteria) as established in the NCSA.
Not minor if:        The licensee performed the required measurements and determined that they were not within the established dimensions (or acceptance criteria) as established in the NCSA.
Example 2j:          The licensees analysis demonstrating subcriticality under normal and/or credible abnormal conditions was performed with less than the minimum approved margin of subcriticality for safety, or outside the validated area of applicability.
The violation:      Failure to demonstrate subcriticality under normal and credible abnormal conditions, including use of an approved margin of subcriticality for safety.
Minor because:      The licensee subsequently performs an analysis (in accordance with the technical practices specified in the license application) demonstrating the process as it exists is subcritical with the appropriate margin or is able to extend the validated area of applicability to cover the calculations.
Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-13                                            0616
 
Not minor if:        New parameters, controls, or limits, or physical or operational changes to the process, are required to demonstrate subcriticality with an adequate margin.
Example 2k:          The licensees Criticality Accident Alarm System (CAAS) experienced a failure (e.g., loss of detector coverage, loss of annunciation, etc.) without compensatory measures being in effect in an area for which evacuation is required under 10 CFR 70.24(a) and (a)(3).
The violation:        The licensee failed to establish or maintain the CAAS as required by 10 CFR 70.24.
Minor because:        The failure occurred for an insignificant duration (e.g., less than or equal to 8 hours), compensatory measures were imposed within that time, the failure effected a very small area of the plant (e.g., a bathroom), or the failure only effected remote areas away from where SNM is handled, used, or stored, that would not be exposed to doses requiring immediate evacuation.
Not minor if:        The CAAS failed to provide either detection or annunciation coverage for a significant time period (e.g., greater than 8 hours), without compensatory measures being in effect.
NOTE: For failures where the duration is not known, but the failure rate can reasonably be assumed to be constant, the average failure duration may be calculated as one half the duration since the CAAS was last known to be functional.
: 3.                    Fire Protection Example 3a:          NRC inspectors identified approximately 30 cubic feet accumulation of leftover packaging materials and other combustibles in a radiological shipping/storage facility. The building procedures limited combustible trash to about five cubic feet due to the building having not having a fire sprinkler system.
The violation:        The license application requires the licensee to follow procedures. The licensee failed to follow building procedures that limit combustible trash to five cubic feet.
Minor because:        The volume limit for combustibles was not credited as an administrative IROFS in the ISA Summary; or mitigative alternatives were established; or had it ignited, nuclear material would not have been impacted.
Issue Date: 04/01/21                          AppB-14                                          0616
 
Not minor if:        The volume limit for combustibles was credited as an administrative IROFS in the ISA Summary; or no mitigative alternatives were established; or had it ignited, nuclear material would have been impacted.
Example 3b:          The inspectors identified that a Class A fire extinguisher was located in an area used for the storage of Class B combustible liquids. The licensee credits proper fire-fighting techniques including proper use of a fire extinguisher as an administrative IROFS in the ISA Summary. The licensee committed to following applicable National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes in the license application.
The violation:      The license application requires that portable fire extinguishers be of sufficient capacity and the proper type of suppression agent. The licensee failed to install a Class B fire extinguisher in a storage area for Class B combustible liquids.
Minor because:      Only minimal quantities of combustible liquids are stored in the area; or there are no credible fire accident sequences for the specific area identified in the ISA Summary.
Not minor if:        There were significant quantities of combustible liquids stored in the area; and credible fire accident sequences were identified in the ISA Summary.
Example 3c:          The inspectors discovered that the licensee failed to perform the required monthly inspection of a portable fire extinguisher. The fire protection program which includes applicable NFPA compliance is credited as an administrative IROFS in the ISA.
The violation:      The licensee failed to perform the required monthly portable fire extinguisher inspection as required by NFPA 10 to which they committed in the license application. Applicable NFPA compliance is listed as an administrative IROFS in the ISA.
Minor because:      The fire extinguisher was found to be operable when the required inspection was performed; or the extinguisher failed the required inspection, but there were additional operable fire extinguishers in the immediate area; or NFPA code compliance is not specified as an IROFS in the ISA.
Not minor if:        The fire extinguisher failed the required inspection and there were no other operable fire extinguishers available in the immediate area.
Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-15                                          0616
 
Example 3d:          The licensee failed to obtain a hot work permit for welding/cutting during routine maintenance in a process room where significant quantities of uranium are stored. The hot work permit program is credited as an administrative IROFS in the ISA.
The violation:      The licensee failed to use of hot work permits for welding/cutting activities as required by the license application.
Minor because:      Precautions required by a hot work permit were in-place even though a permit was not obtained.
Not minor if:        Precautions required by a hot work permit were not in-place.
Example 3e:          Inspectors discovered that the licensee failed to perform routine inspection, maintenance, and functional testing activities of fire detection/suppression systems. The fire systems are located in manufacturing building that processes various chemical forms and stores various containers of nuclear materials. The fire detection/suppression systems are credited as an IROFS in the ISA for the detection and suppression of a fire (high consequence event). In addition, the licensee application requires NFPA detection/suppression surveillance activities.
The violation:      A specific section of the license application requires that IROFS be installed, tested, and maintained in accordance with approved procedures (also a management measure). Specifically, the licensee failed to ensure that critical fire detection and suppression systems were inspected/tested on a regular basis in accordance with approved procedures.
Minor because:      The licensee subsequently performed the inspections, maintenance, and testing (surveillance) activities and found that all safety systems were operating in accordance with established acceptance criteria; or fire detection/suppression systems are not IROFS; or the system is tagged-out of service for a legitimate reason; or the tests were not required to assure functionality or operability of the system; or mitigative alternatives were established.
Not minor if:        The licensee subsequently performed the inspections, maintenance, and testing (surveillance) activities and found that all safety systems were not operating in accordance with established acceptance criteria; or the issue is part of a larger breakdown in the fire protection or surveillance testing programs.
Also minor if:      The fire safety systems were in another building that has no association with licensed materials or by-products of licensed materials.
Issue Date: 04/01/21                          AppB-16                                          0616
 
Example 3f:          Inspectors were following up a licensee-identified event where the licensee had updated software on a fire detection/alarm computer system. The licensee performed a computer software modification that was not in accordance with the licensees quality assurance program.
The modification unknowingly caused an automatic phone dialer to stop functioning. The malfunction was later inadvertently discovered during an activation of the fire alarm.
The violation:      A specific section of the license application requires the licensee to perform computer software modifications in accordance with the licensees QA program. The license application states that the licensee must conduct its business in accordance with a system of Standard Operating Procedures, Company Standards, and Policy Guidelines. The licensee implemented revised computer programming contrary to the licensees computer software procedures, and the software disabled the auto dialer.
Minor because:      The fire detection system and auto-dialer were not credited as an IROFS in the ISA Summary.
Not minor if:        The fire detection system and auto-dialer were credited as an IROFS in the ISA Summary; and the licensee was unaware of the failure and inadvertently discovered the issue during actual alarm activation.
Example 3g:          Inspectors identified that a new ventilation duct had been installed in a fuel pellet production area and the new duct was shielding a number of the existing fire sprinkler heads. The affected fire sprinklers were not repositioned resulting in a noncompliance with NFPA standards.
The violation:      A license condition states that the licensee shall conduct authorized activities in accordance with the statements, representations, and conditions made in the license application. A specific section of the license application related to fire protection requires that fire sprinkler system be maintained in accordance with NFPA standards. The licensee failed to ensure that the fire sprinkler systems in specified manufacturing areas were installed in accordance with NFPA standards after a new ventilation duct was installed.
Minor because:      The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), which may be the NRC or other State or local agency, approved the deviation from NFPA 13 standards; or the fire sprinkler systems were not identified as an IROFS.
Not minor if:        The licensee conditions or licensee documentation required compliance with NFPA standards; or the sprinkler system was not in compliance with NFPA 13 standards and the licensee did not establish a deviation from the AHJ.
Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-17                                            0616
 
Example 3h:          Following a loss of power to a furnace, the inspectors identified a failure of both the procedure and the operator to adequately verify vessel status which resulted in a boot seal separation and a combustible gas flare. The procedure was inadequate in providing operator guidance to assess all areas of the furnace. The inspectors noted that the operator had all the physical information present to assess vessel status.
The violation:      The licensee committed to following procedures in the license application.
The activity (operator assessment of vessel status) was not performed in accordance with procedures.
Minor because:      The combustible gas flare was a low consequence fire as evaluated by the licensees ISA fire hazard analysis, and therefore, was not an IROFS.
Not minor if:        Failure to adequately assess vessel status was credited as an IROFS in the ISA fire hazard analysis.
Example 3i:          The licensee failed to review and revalidate the fire hazards analyses for multiple uranium production buildings at least every five years in accordance with operations procedures. The inspectors identified several differences between the existing hazards analysis versus the actual and passive fire protection features within the production areas.
The violation:      The license application states that the licensee must conduct its business in accordance with a system of Standard Operating Procedures Company Standards, and Policy Guidelines. The licensees procedures required a five-year review and revisions as necessary to ensure the accuracy of the fire hazard analysis. The licensee had not reviewed or revised the document within the required period. Multiple inaccuracies were identified.
Minor because:        The number and magnitude of the differences were of minor significance in that they would not negatively affect the ISA assumptions and accident sequences.
Not minor if:        Based on a review of the applicable accident sequences in the ISA Summary, the inspector determined that the number and magnitude of differences did not support the licensees ISA assumptions.
Example 3j:          The inspectors reviewed the ISA to verify that credible fire related scenarios were identified. The inspectors reviewed accident sequences in the ISA that involved a hot-oil heat-exchange system used in a uranium drying application, and the processing/location of uranium hexafluoride (UF6) cylinders. The ISA accident sequences were limited and did not Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-18                                          0616
 
consider that an oil fire could adversely affect UF6 cylinders being stored or undergoing processing in the bay area. The inspectors noted that a fire could overheat a UF6 cylinder and cause a structural failure of the cylinder. The inspectors reviewed the ISA for accident sequences involving UF6 cylinders and determined that the licensee had defined the release of UF6 as a potential high consequence event as defined in 10 CFR 70.61.
The violation:      10 CFR 70.61(a) requires the licensee to evaluate compliance with the performance requirements of 70.61(b), (c), and (d) in the ISA, and apply engineered controls and/or administrative controls to the extent needed to reduce the likelihood of occurrence and/or the consequences of each credible high and intermediate consequence event. The licensee failed to evaluate whether IROFS were necessary to reduce the risk of a uranium hexafluoride cylinder failure as a result of a fire from the hot oil system.
Minor because:      The licensee performed an evaluation and determined that existing hot oil system controls would have prevented a fire of an intensity required to result in a UF6 cylinder failure.
Not minor if:        The ISA Summary failed to include credible fire related scenarios that required the application of IROFS in order to meet 10 CFR 70.61 performance requirements.
: 4.                  Plant Modifications Example 4a:          During a plant modification inspection, the inspector determined that post maintenance testing (PMT) was missed on an IROFS actuator valve for a bulk chemical supply system following a modification that relocated the valve and added a local power on-off switch. The licensees procedures for modifications require PMT following modifications to IROFS components. The licensee credited procedure use and adherence as a management measure in the license application.
The violation:      The licensee failed to implement establish or maintain management measures (procedure use and adherence) as required by 10 CFR 70.61(e) and 70.62(d) to ensure that IROFS were available and reliable to perform their function when needed to comply with the performance requirements of 10 CFR 70.61.
Minor because:      The valve passed the subsequent PMT; therefore, the IROFS was available and reliable to perform its intended safety function.
Not minor if:        The valve failed the subsequent PMT; therefore, the IROFS was not available and reliable to perform its intended safety function.
Example 4b:          During a plant modification inspection, the inspector discovered that a regulatory engineer assigned to complete a 70.72 evaluation had not completed the required training and was unqualified.
Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-19                                          0616
 
The violation:      The licensee failed to ensure trained personnel completed the 70.72 evaluations. The license application states that indoctrination, training, and qualification of regulatory function engineers is performed in accordance with an approved procedure. The procedure provides specific actions including training that must be completed to become qualified.
Minor because:      The 70.72 evaluation dealt with a non-safety related modification; or the 70.72 evaluation dealt with a safety-related modification, but no deficiencies were found with the 70.72 evaluation (e.g., the boxes on the form were properly checked, the evaluation was performed correctly, and evaluation came to the correct conclusion).
Not minor if:        The 70.72 evaluation involved a safety-related modification and one or more deficiencies were found with the 70.72 evaluation when reviewed by the inspector. Specifically, one or more of the questions on the form were incorrectly answered as no instead of yes with regards to whether the change impacted the ISA. The inspector concluded that the licensee should have obtained prior NRC approval for the change by submitting a license amendment.
Example 4c:          During a system walkdown of IROFS, the inspector determined that a P&ID does not match the as-built configuration of the component/system.
The violation:      The licensee failed to implement establish or maintain management measures (configuration management) as required by 10 CFR 70.61(e) and 70.62(d) to ensure that IROFS were available and reliable to perform their function when needed to comply with the performance requirements of 10 CFR 70.61. Specifically, the licensee failed to keep drawings and design information up-to-date as a result of facility modifications.
Minor because:      The discrepancy is administrative in nature (e.g., typo, incorrect symbol, missing date, ); or the discrepancy is technical, but does not adversely impact the ability of an IROFS to perform its safety function.result in a failure to meet performance requirements.
Not minor if:        The discrepancy adversely impacts the ability of an IROFS to perform its safety function (e.g., missing, installed in wrong location, configuration does not match description in ISA, etc). and results in a failure to meet performance requirements.
Example 4d:          The inspectors identified that the licensee failed to obtain the necessary interdisciplinary safety reviews for a recent design change that impacted nuclear criticality safety. The design change was not considered a like kind change.
Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-20                                          0616
 
The violation:      The licensee failed to obtain the necessary interdisciplinary safety reviews for a recent design change that impacted nuclear criticality safety.
The license application requires the licensee to follow procedures. The licensees change control procedure requires that changes which do not qualify as like-kind changes be evaluated and approved before the change is made and the ISA is modified.
Minor because:      The licensee completed the required review and no safety issues or deficiencies were identified; Not minor if:        Deficiencies were identified during the subsequent review that adversely impacted the safety function or reliability/availability of an IROFS; or an IROFS was determined to be failed or degraded as a result of the violation.
Example 4e:          During a plant mods inspection, the inspectors identified that the licensee failed to perform a 70.72 evaluation for a change to a UF6 storage area operations procedure.
The violation:      The licensee failed to perform a 70.72 evaluation for an affected procedure. 10 CFR 70.72(b)(3) requires that any change to the site, structures, processes, systems, equipment, components, computer programs, and activities of personnel must be evaluated by the licensee before the change is implemented.
Minor because:      The licensee subsequently completed the 70.72 evaluation and concluded that NRC pre-approval of the change was not required.
Not minor if:        The licensee subsequently completed the 70.72 evaluation and concluded that NRC pre-approval of the change was required.
Example 4f:          The licensee recently completed a modification to add a new administrative control (IROFS) for accident sequences associated with the prevention of leaks involving UF6 cylinder pigtails in vaporizers. The new administrative control requires operations to inspect the cylinder for cleanliness and verify that loose material is removed prior to loading the cylinder into the vaporizer. The new requirements were documented in a revision to an operations procedure. During a modifications inspection, the inspectors reviewed operator training records and determined that the licensee failed to perform training on the new procedure prior to implementation.
The violation:      The licensee failed to perform training on the new UF6 cylinder pigtail leak test procedure prior to implementation. The license application requires the licensee to follow procedures. The licensees change control Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-21                                          0616
 
procedure requires that training be performed on any modifications to existing operating procedures prior to operation in order to meet 10 CFR 70.72(a)(3).
Minor because:      The issue was a documentation error and the operators had received the required training; or the operators failed to receive the required training, but correctly performed the administrative control in the field.
Not minor if:        The licensee failed to perform or incorrectly performed the new administrative control as a result of inadequate training.
Example 4g:          The licensee failed to provide a written evaluation for a 70.72 evaluation involving a recent modification to remove an IROFS from a specific accident sequence. The IROFS was needed to meet 10 CFR 70.61(b) and (c) performance requirements. The licensee provided the inspectors with a completed positive 70.72 screening checklist (e.g., yes/no check boxes), which required the licensee to complete a 70.72 evaluation.
Upon review of the evaluation, the inspectors concluded that the evaluation only consisted of yes/no answers to the specific 70.72 questions. The licensee concluded that prior NRC approval was not required.
The violation:      The licensee failed to provide a written evaluation for a 70.72 evaluation involving a recent modification to remove an IROFS from a specific accident sequence. 10 CFR 70.72(f) requires the licensee to maintain records of changes to its facility and the records must include a written evaluation that provides the bases for the determination that the changes do not require prior NRC approval.
Minor because:      The licensee subsequently completed the written evaluation and the answers to the 70.72 evaluation questions were correct and NRC prior approval was not required.
Not minor if:        The licensee subsequently completed the written evaluation and the inspectors concluded that the answers to the 70.72 evaluation questions were incorrect (e.g., bases for determination were incorrect or invalid);
therefore, the licensee failed to obtain prior NRC approval for the change as required by 70.72.
: 5.                  Radiation Radioactive Waste/Environmental/Transportation Example 5a:          The NRC requires the licensee to submit effluent monitoring reports within 60 days after January 1 and July 1 of each year (i.e., semi-annual effluent reports). The licensee failed to collect and analyze air samples from two ambient air monitoring stations over a 2-week period. The Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-22                                            0616
 
licensees environmental monitoring program requires weekly air samples. Even though the samples were not obtained data was still available from the two air monitoring stations and subsequently analyzed.
Air samples were collected weekly as required by the licensees program from the other environmental monitoring stations. Upon review of the data the inspector noted no adverse trend or elevated radionuclide concentrations detected at the other ambient air monitoring stations over the period in question.
The violation:      Activities involving Special Nuclear Material (SNM) were not performed in accordance with procedures as required by the license application.
Minor because:      The licensee was able to submit the semi-annual effluent report and demonstrate compliance with effluent release limits and dose to the public for the monitoring period and there is no evidence to indicate that effluent releases were greater than those reported in previous reporting periods.
Not minor if:        The air monitoring data was not recoverable or the licensee could not otherwise produce sufficient supporting documentation to calculate (or estimate) dose to the public resulting from effluent releases (10 CFR 20.1301) over the period in question.
Example 5b:          The licensee failed to install tamper-indicating seals in their proper locations on a transportation package overpack.
The violation:      The Certificate of Conformance Compliance (CoC) requires that the package be prepared for shipment and operated in accordance with the Operating Procedures of Chapter 7 of the application, which requires that the package (overpack) tamper-indicating seals be installed in their proper location.
Minor because:      The package had not left the site and there was no evidence that the package had been tampered with.
Not minor if:        The package had not left the site and there was evidence that the package had been tampered with.
Also not minor if:  The package had left the site regardless of whether there was evidence that it had been tampered with.
Example 5c:          The licensee failed to properly calibrate the final liquid effluent monitors prior to release of the liquid to the environment. Specifically, the secondary calibration sources used for the monitoring system were not of sufficient strength to meet channel calibration requirements.
Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-23                                            0616
 
The violation:      10 CFR 70.56, Tests, Paragraph (c) requires tests of radiation detection and monitoring instrumentation used for effluent monitoring (10 CFR 70.59). The licensee failed to follow procedures as committed to in the license application.
Minor because:      The effluent monitoring results are not used for emergency response decision making; or the quantities of radionuclides released to the environment do not challenge 10 CFR Part 20 public dose limits.
Not minor if:        The effluent monitoring results are used to make critical decisions during a licensee response to an emergency; or the 10 CFR Part 20 public dose limits were challenged or exceeded.
Example 5d:          The licensee incorrectly filled out a waste manifest for a radioactive waste shipment to a low-level waste disposal facility. Specifically, the waste generator incorrectly listed the radionuclide activities for various isotopes of uranium.
The violation:      10 CFR 20.2006 and 10 CFR Part 20, Appendix G requires the waste generator to list the radionuclide activities of all radioactive waste shipments on a waste manifest (NRC Forms 540 and 541). The licensee failed to accurately list radionuclide activities for various isotopes of uranium.
Minor because:      The error on the waste manifest was minor or administrative; or actual radionuclide quantities were less than what was reported on the waste manifest (conservative); and the shipment was in compliance with the waste disposal facilitys waste acceptance criteria.
Not minor if:        The actual radionuclide quantities were greater than the waste disposal facilitys waste acceptance criteria or the error was associated with programmatic issues relating to the licensees preparation and approval of radioactive waste shipments.
Example 5e:          The licensees waste certification official failed to sign and date the shipment manifest prior to shipping a radioactive waste shipment to a land disposal facility.
The violation:      10 CFR Part 20, Appendix G requires the waste generator to certify the shipment by signing and dating the waste manifest.
Minor because:      All information on the manifest was correct (e.g., waste was properly classified, described, packaged, marked, and labeled) and the failure to certify the shipment was administrative in nature.
Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-24                                          0616
 
Not minor if:        The information on the manifest was incorrect (e.g., waste was not properly classified, described, packaged, marked, or labeled) or the error was associated with programmatic issues relating to the qualifications and/or availability of properly trained, qualified and certified radioactive material shippers.
Example 5f:          The licensee failed to document a transportation package inspection in accordance with the conditions specified in the CoC The violation:        The package Safety Analysis Report and the licensees package operating procedure require that the licensee document package inspections.
Minor because:      The licensee performed the package inspections in accordance with the licensees package operating procedure, but failed to properly document the inspections (i.e., documentation contained minor or administrative errors).
Not minor if:        The licensee failed to perform the required inspection which resulted in a non-conforming package being used to transport radioactive material.
Example 5g:          The licensee failed to make a determination that a transportation package(s) was proper for the contents to be shipped (i.e., failure to verify that package is in an unimpaired physical condition, proper installation of gasket and closure device, package was loaded and closed in accordance with written procedures, moderator or neutron absorber is present and in proper condition, contamination and radiation levels do not exceed Department of Transportation regulations, and temperatures do not exceed regulatory limits.)
The violation:      10 CFR 71.87, Routine Determinations, requires the licensee to perform various actions to ensure the package is proper for the contents to be shipped.
Minor because:      The package had not left the site and the routine determinations were subsequently completed with no identified deficiencies or non-conformances.
Not minor if:        The package had the left the site without performing the routine determinations.
Example 5h:          During a review of shipping records, the inspectors identified that the licensee made an error which resulted in mislabeling a shipment.
Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-25                                            0616
 
The violation:      10 CFR 71.91, Records, requires each licensee to maintain shipping records for a period of 3 years after shipment for material not exempt under 71.10.
Minor because:      The error was in the conservative direction; or the error was administrative in nature with no safety significance.
Not minor if: The error was in the non-conservative direction and resulted in the potential for personnel over-exposure.
: 6.                  Radiological Protection Example 6a:          A licensee properly performed a radiation or airborne contamination survey (e.g., air sampling), but the survey was not documented.
The violation:      Failure to meet 10 CFR Part 20.2102/2103, which requires each licensee to maintain records of the radiation protection program including surveys or failure to perform activities in accordance with site procedures or the license application.
Minor because:      The survey was actually performed and proper radiological controls were established; or the lack of a survey record led to a situation (e.g.,
supervision or health physics technicians being unaware of radiological conditions) that resulted in the failure to establish radiological controls, but did not result in significant unplanned or unintended uptake/dose to an individual.
Not minor if:        The lack of a survey record led to a situation that resulted in the failure to establish radiological controls and resulted in unplanned or unintended dose to an individual that exceeded the limits of either 10 CFR 20.1201(e) or the equivalent of 10 CFR 20.1207, Occupational Dose Limits for Minors.
Example 6b:          Radiation detection instruments (e.g., portable instruments or installed area radiation monitors) were not calibrated properly or not response checked prior to use in accordance with site procedures.
The violation:      Failure to meet 10 CFR 20.1501(c), which requires that instruments and equipment used for quantitative radiation measurements be calibrated periodically or failure to perform activities in accordance with site procedures or the license application.
Minor because:      When recalibrated or response checked, the as-found condition of the instrument was within acceptance criteria for the calibration or response Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-26                                          0616
 
check, or provided conservative measurement (i.e., over-response).
Not minor if:        When recalibrated or response checked, the as-found condition of the instrument was not within acceptance criteria for the calibration or response check and did not provide conservative measurement.
Example 6c:          A Health Physics technician provided job coverage or performed a task that the technician was not fully qualified to perform (e.g., a task performance qualification was not completed as required, or the Health Physics technician did not have adequate experience).
The violation:      Failure to perform activities in accordance with site procedures or specific requirements contained in the license application.
Minor because:      Either no errors or only minor errors were made by the Health Physics technician, who had completed basic Health Physics training and the error(s) did not result in unplanned or unintended uptake or dose to a worker that exceeded the limits of either 10 CFR 20.1201(e) or the equivalent of 10 CFR 20.1207, Occupational Dose Limits for Minors.
Not minor if:        One or more substantial errors were made by the technician while performing radiological surveys and monitoring for a radiologically risk significant task and the error(s) did result in unplanned or unintended uptake or dose to a worker that exceeded the limits of either 10 CFR 20.1201(e) or the equivalent of 10 CFR 20.1207, Occupational Dose Limits for Minors.
Example 6d:          An item (e.g., tool) containing detectable licensed radioactive material (RAM) was inadequately surveyed and subsequently released from the radiological control area (RCA) of the facility. The tool was found in an area outside the RCA boundary not subject to radiological monitoring.
The potential existed for the contaminated item to be released offsite beyond the owner controlled area.
The violation:      Failure to perform activities in accordance with site procedures or the license application.
Note:                A violation does not occur in the situation where an item with RAM has been properly surveyed using appropriate survey techniques, evaluated as not having detectable RAM, is released, and is later discovered as containing RAM when surveyed using a more sensitive survey method.
In this case a detectable quantity is defined as contamination levels exceeding the monitoring setpoints established by the licensee for RCA exit monitors and/or levels exceeding those in Table 1 of Regulatory Guide 1.86, as applicable.
Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-27                                        0616
 
Minor because:      An inadequate survey was performed for an item that was released and later discovered. The follow-up survey concluded that the item contained radioactive material with a measured dose rate that was indistinguishable from background (measured in a low background area, at a distance of 30 cm from the item with a micro-rem per hour type instrument that typically uses a 1 by 1 scintillation detector) and the calculated dose using a realistic exposure scenario was less than the limits of 10 CFR 20.1207, Occupational Dose Limits for Minors.
Not minor if:        An inadequate contamination survey was performed for an item that was released from the RCA and later discovered in a plant area not subject to radiological monitoring controls. The follow-up survey concluded that the measured dose rate is distinguishable from background. The calculated dose using a realistic exposure scenario is in excess of the limits of 10 CFR 20.1207, Occupational Dose Limits for Minors and the contamination levels did not exceed the quantities listed in 10 CFR 20 Appendix C.
Example 6e:          An inadequate radiation survey did not identify a radiation area (i.e., dose rates were greater than 5 mrem/hr at 30 cm and  100 mrem/hr at 30 cm).
The violation:      Failure to meet 10 CFR 20.1101, which requires the licensee to ensure that occupational doses are As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) or failure to perform activities in accordance with site procedures or the license application.
Minor because:      Radiological conditions existed such that the dose to an uninformed worker (e.g., a worker who had not been briefed on or reviewed radiological conditions) was not likely to exceed 2 mrem in any 1 hour (2 mrem/hr) or 50 mrem in a year.
Not minor if:        Radiological conditions existed such that the dose to an uninformed worker was likely to exceed 2 mrem in any 1 hour (2 mrem/hr) or 50 mrem in a year.
Example 6f:          The inspectors discovered an unlocked High Radiation Area (HRA) during a routine tour/inspection. Locked entryway control was the only feature used to control access to the HRA.
The violation:      Failure to meet 10 CFR 20.1601(a)(3), which requires that entryways to HRAs be locked.
Minor because:      The HRA was conservatively posted. The highest radiation level was 100 mrem/hr at 30 cm (i.e., the radiological conditions did not actually constitute an HRA area in accordance with the regulatory definition of an Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-28                                          0616
 
HRA).
Not minor if:        The radiation levels exceeded 100 mrem/hr at 30 cm (i.e., an HRA actually existed and was not barricaded).
Example 6g:          An improper entry was made into a High Radiation Area (HRA).
The violation:      Failure to meet 10 CFR 20.1101, which requires the licensee to ensure that occupational doses are ALARA. Radiation Work Permit (RWP) requirements are established for the radiological protection of workers and are to be followed as prescribed by specific RWPs.
Minor because:      The individual was authorized for entry into an HRA (e.g., authorized by radiation protection personnel or by RWP), was made aware of the radiological conditions in the area (e.g., during a pre-job briefing or a review of radiation survey results), but the individual signed in on the wrong RWP, and complied with the instructions of the correct RWP.
Not minor if:        The individual was not authorized to enter an HRA or; the individual was authorized for entry, but was not made aware of the radiological conditions (e.g., did not get briefed or did not review radiological surveys) or; the individual was authorized to enter an HRA, was made aware of the radiological conditions and given specific radiological instructions, but took unauthorized actions that significantly changed the radiological conditions or; the individual continues work in an HRA after receiving an electronic dosimeter (ED) alarm without taking the prescribed procedural actions as defined in the licensees radiation protection program/procedures (e.g., stopping work, leaving the area and contacting Health Physics) or; the individual takes actions that involved the bypassing of physical controls (e.g., bypassed the barrier around a locked high radiation area, or an individual bypassed an interlock on a calibration source); and the dose received to the individual(s) challenge or exceed the RWP limits.
Example 6h:          Work activities were ongoing within the material access area (or controlled zone) that was covered by a RWP. The inspector noticed that an individual was not wearing a respirator as required by the job-specific RWP. As part of the investigation, the licensee required the affected individual to submit a bioassay sample in accordance with the licensees bioassay procedure. As a result, the licensee determined that the individual received a significant uptake of soluble uranium.
The violation:      The licensee is required to follow their procedures per license conditions.
RWP requirements are established for the radiological protection of workers and are to be followed as prescribed by specific RWPs. 10 CFR 20.1201 specified occupational dose limits for adults including soluble Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-29                                            0616
 
uranium uptake.
Minor because:      Failure to follow RWP requirements did not result in exposures and/or uptakes in excess of regulatory limits (> 10 mg soluble uranium or > 10%
of annual occupational dose limits).
Not minor if:        Failure to follow RWP requirement did result in exposures and/or uptakes in excess of regulatory limits (>10 mg soluble uranium or > 10% of annual occupational dose limits).
Example 6i:          The NRC requires licensees to limit the soluble uranium intake by an individual to less than 10 milligrams in a week. The licensee established an administrative limit of 1 milligram in a week. Contrary to the licensees program, an operator was exposed to 1.3 milligrams of soluble uranium over a 7-day period based on bioassay results. Routine radiological surveys and breathing zone air sampling failed to identify that the operator was exposed to uranium concentrations exceeding the administrative limit.
The violation:      The licensee failed to identify that the operator was exposed to uranium concentrations exceeding the administrative limit.
Minor because:      This was a licensee administrative limit. The worker was within Federal limits.
Not minor if:        The licensees multiple processes by which to determine potential intakes by workers did not identify an actual intake were identified of failures to satisfy radiation protection procedures indicating a failure to maintain and implement programs to keep exposures as low as reasonably achievable; or the operator exceeded the 10 mg/week regulatory requirement.
Example 6j:          During a walkdown, the inspectors identified the collapse of a contamination control enclosure installed to control potential airborne contamination in support of scheduled maintenance on a potentially contaminated furnace. Sealing tape peeled away resulting in openings in the enclosure, impacting the intended purpose of the enclosure, namely to contain any potential airborne material generated during the maintenance activity from escaping the enclosure.
The violation:      Activities were not performed in accordance with radiological contamination control procedures and requirements of the associated RWP/ALARA planning package or associated work instructions.
Minor because:      The licensee had not begun work and radiological surveys and airborne samples revealed no radiological issues.
Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-30                                          0616
 
Not minor if:        Work was in progress and surveys/samples indicated an uncontrolled spread of airborne contamination requiring additional radiological controls in other areas.
: 7.                  Integrated Safety Analysis Example 7a:          The licensee failed to perform a daily functional test of a dry rad waste collection scale so that a significant quantity of uranium will not accumulate in a waste drum. The functional test is credited as an IROFS in the ISA for the prevention nuclear criticality which is considered a high consequence event.
The violation:      A specific section of the license application related to configuration management (also a management measure) requires that IROFS be installed, tested, and maintained in accordance with approved procedures. Specifically, the licensee failed to ensure that the scale was functionally tested in accordance with an approved procedure.
Minor because:      Subsequent functional testing was completed satisfactory with no identified deficiencies.
Not minor if:        Subsequent functional testing resulted in the failure to meet specified test objectives or acceptance criteria.
Example 7b:          The inspector discovered a mathematical error during the review of an ISA dose consequence calculation.
The violation:      10 CFR 70.61 requires IROFS for events that exceed performance requirements for the worker and public. Specifically, 10 CFR 70.61(b) requires that high consequence events be made highly unlikely.
Minor because:      The error did not result in an increase in the consequences that exceeded 10 CFR 70.61 performance requirements (e.g., the unmitigated consequences remained intermediate for an unlikely event).
Not minor if:        The error did result in an increase in the dose to the worker or public that exceeded 10 CFR 70.61 (b) performance requirement. The licensee was required to establish IROFS to reduce the likelihood from unlikely to highly unlikely.
Example 7c:          During a review of IROFS calibration records, the inspector identified that the licensee failed to perform instrument calibration at the frequency established in the ISA.
Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-31                                          061
 
The violation:      The licensee failed to perform instrument calibration at the frequency established in the ISA. 10 CFR 70.62 requires the licensee to implement management measures (work control system) to ensure that IROFS are designed, implemented, and maintained to ensure they are available and reliable to perform their safety function when needed.each licensee to establish management measures to ensure engineered and administrative controls and control systems identified as IROFS are designed, implemented and maintained as necessary to ensure they are available and reliable to perform their function when needed, to comply with performance requirements.
Minor because:      The instrument was subsequently sent out for calibration and the as-found condition was within established acceptance criteria or provided a conservative measurement (e.g., over-response); or the instrument was not used since the last calibration.
Not minor if:        Following recalibration, the instrument was found outside of the established acceptance criteria or did not provide a conservative measurement (e.g., under-response).
Example 7d:          A water leak or fire occurred in the records storage vault and resulted in damage to records involving 10 CFR 70.72 evaluations.
The violation:      The licensee failed to maintain records of changes to its facility until termination of the license as required by 10 CFR 70.72(f).
Minor because:      The licensee could reasonably reconstruct the records if permitted to do so by the license application.
Not minor if:        The records were heavily damaged (e.g., illegible) and the licensee was either not permitted to or unable to reconstruct the records.
Example 7e:          The licensee declared an IROFS vacuum breaker inoperable as a result of a failed surveillance test (e.g., test was performed but failed to operate). Only one IROFS remained available and reliable to prevent a nuclear criticality accident. Inspector follow-up concluded that the licensee failed to implement establish or maintain a management measure. or license requirement.
The violation:      Failure to implement establish or maintain management measures to ensure that IROFS were available and reliable to perform their intended safety function as required by 10 CFR 70.61(e) and 70.62(d).
Minor because:          The violation (such as a failure to implement establish or maintain a management measure or license requirement) identified by the inspectors did not contribute to the failure of the IROFS.
Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-32                                          0616
 
Also minor if:      The inspectors determined that the failure of the IROFS was within its analyzed failure rate assumed in the ISA; or the licensee could credit IROFS from other accident sequences to ensure the accident remains highly unlikely.
Not minor if:        The failure was the direct result of an inadequate management measure or a failure to establish or maintain a management measure; and the failure resulted in not meeting performance requirements of 10 CFR 70.61.implement a management measure; or the failure of the IROFS was not within its analyzed failure rate assumed in the ISA.
: 8.                  Emergency Preparedness Example 8a:          The inspector requested for review the agreement letter with the offsite Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) to verify that an agreement was in effect detailing the type of support provided by the offsite VFD, the type of training provided to the offsite VFD by the licensee, and the frequency for reviewing and updating the agreement.
The violation:      The licensee failed to update the agreement letter for the offsite VFD as required by Section 4.0 of the Emergency Plan, Local Offsite Assistance, requires in part that Agreement Letters are renewed every four years. The agreement letter for the offsite VFD was last updated and reviewed 5 years ago.
Minor because:      The offsite and onsite contacts assigned the responsibility for maintaining the agreement current and who were signatories to the agreement letter were unchanged and when interviewed regarding the agreement, the offsite contact for support services acknowledged that the support and services agreed to in the previous letter remained in effect. Training was being provided on an annual basis as required by the Emergency Plan.
Annual site familiarization tours were provided by the site to the offsite VFD, and the offsite VFD participated with the site fire brigade on an annual basis during drills in addition to participated in the past two NRC graded exercises.
Not minor if:        The onsite fire brigade was trained strictly to handle incipient fire-fighting responsibility and there were no drills or training conducted with offsite VFD; or the offsite VFD management had changed along with a large turnover in staffing but no training or site familiarization tours were provided.
Example 8b:          The inspector examined an emergency response kit to determine the adequacy of contents and operational readiness status of the emergency equipment stored inside the kit. Three air samplers and electronic dosimeters were found out of calibration. The calibration sticker showed that the air sampler was last calibrated more than a year ago and no determination could be made regarding the last calibration performed on the dosimeters as there was no calibration documentation available.
Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-33                                          0616
 
The violation:      The licensee failed to maintain equipment in their emergency response kit.
The license requires the licensee to maintain and execute the response measures in the Emergency Plan. The Emergency Plan requires that Inventory and maintenance be carried out in accordance with approved procedures. Emergency preparedness implementing procedures require that instruments be calibrated on a semi-annual basis.
Minor because:      Emergency response kits with identical but calibrated equipment and contents were available elsewhere onsite and accessible to emergency response personnel. In addition, several backup survey instruments, air samplers and dosimeters were available in the Radiation Safety office.
The equipment with the expired calibration sticker was checked pre-calibration and determined to be within the calibration range and deemed operational.
Not minor if:        No other calibrated emergency equipment or emergency kits with calibrated equipment were available and or readily accessible to responder; or non-calibrated equipment was used to address an actual emergency.
Example 8c:          The inspectors observed that no offsite response organizations were present to observe or participate in the biennial graded exercise and that the licensee simulated contact with these organizations. The inspectors reviewed the licensees preparations for the biennial exercise through discussions with the Health Physics specialist, who had responsibility for coordination of emergency preparedness. These discussions revealed that the requirement to invite the responsible offsite response organizations to participate in the exercise had been overlooked.
The violation:      The licensee failed to invite offsite response organizations to participate in biennial onsite emergency exercises as required, in part, by 10 CFR 40.31(j)(2)(xii) or 10 CFR 70.22(ai)(3)(xii).
Minor because:      The offsite response organization is not required to participate in the exercise. The licensee is required to offer the opportunity, but the offsite organization is not required or obligated to participate.
Not minor if:        The offsite response organizations have requested and expressed an interest in participating in training, drills, and or exercises but the licensee has not been responsive to any and all requests from offsite support groups; or during an actual event, the response by an offsite support group and/or the coordination between the licensee and the offsite support group resulted in an inadequate response to protect the plant, workers, public, and the environment.
Example 8d:          The inspector determined an individual assigned as an alternate to the Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-34                                            0616
 
emergency organization with responsibility to maintain a chronological listing and sequence of the events was not trained in accordance with the Emergency Plan requirements. Three other individuals including the primary assigned to the position were trained. The licensees Emergency Plan required that all members of the emergency organization be trained annually.
The violation:      The licensee failed to ensure that all members of the emergency organization be trained annually as required by their Emergency Plan.
The license requires the licensee to maintain and execute the response measures in the Emergency Plan. The Emergency Plan states, in part, that training regarding the actions they are required to perform during an emergency will be provided on an annual basis. One individual was last trained 2 years prior to the date of the inspection.
Minor because:      There were three other individuals assigned this role in the emergency organization with current training qualifications. The responsibility associated with this position did not involve risk significant activity or decision-making.
Not minor if:        The individual that performed the specific role in the emergency organization did not have current training qualifications and the position involved risk significant activities or decision-making.
Example 8e:          During an annual emergency preparedness inspection, the inspectors discovered that the licensee failed to correct a deficiency identified during the last biennial exercise. The inspectors reviewed the condition report (CR) and determined that the licensees emergency response staff was unfamiliar with the Radiological Assessment Systems for Consequence Analysis (RASCAL) dose assessment software. One of the identified corrective actions was to send the affected staff to off-site RASCAL training. The inspectors reviewed the training records of the affected staff and determined that the training was incomplete. The condition report had been open for the past 12 months.
The violation:      The licensee failed to correct a deficiency identified during the last biennial exercise as required, in part, by 10 CFR 70.22(i)(3)(xii) that deficiencies found by the critiques must be corrected.
Minor because:      The licensee had corrected the deficiency, but failed to properly close-out the condition report; or the licensee sent the affected personnel to the off-site training (licensee could provide training certificates), but failed to update their training records; or the affected staff was replaced with other staff who were formally trained on the RASCAL software; or the licensee had scheduled the training, but not yet completed the training due to course availability.
Not minor if:        The licensee had taken no actions to correct the critique deficiencies.
Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-35                                              0616
: 9.                  Material, Control, and Accountability Example 9a:          The inspectors conducted a performance test of the licensees item control program at a Category (CAT) III fuel facility. All selected items, with one exception, were verified by direct observation to be physically present at the storage location indicated by licensees records. The one exception was a waste item, containing three grams of U-235. The licensee traced the item to a waste box manifest and discovered that the item was transferred to the waste box a month prior, without performing the appropriate documentation in the nuclear material accounting database.
The violation:      The licensee failed to perform the appropriate documentation in the nuclear material accounting database to be capable of measuring the unauthorized removal of substantial quantities of material as required, in part, by 10 CFR 74.31(c)(6).
Minor because:      The U-235 content for the missing item was less than 500 grams.
Not minor if:        The U-235 content of the missing item was greater than 500 grams; or the licensee failed to enter the issue into their corrective action program.
Example 9b:          The licensee failed to perform the physical inventory every 12 months as required by NRC regulations at a CAT III fuel facility.
The violation:      The licensee failed to perform the physical inventory every 12 months as required by 10 CFR 74.31(c)(5).
Minor because:        The inventory was performed and did not result in any missing inventory that exceeded the allowable 9,000 grams of U-235 or 0.25 percent of the active inventory.
Not minor if:        The inventory was performed and did result in missing inventory that exceeded the allowable 9,000 grams of U-235 or 0.25 percent of the active inventory.
Example 9c:          The licensee fails to remove a Material Balance Area (MBA) custodian from having access to the MC&A accounting system when the individuals training and qualification had expired.
The violation:      The licensee failed to remove a Material Balance Area (MBA) custodian from having access to the MC&A accounting system when the individuals training and qualification had expired. 10 CFR 74.59(c), Personnel Qualification and Training, requires the licensee to assure that personnel Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-36                                          0616
 
who work in key positions where mistakes could degrade the effectiveness of the material control and accounting system are trained to maintain a high level of safeguards awareness and are qualified to perform their duties and/or responsibilities.
Minor because:      The individual did not perform custodian duties (e.g., MC&A transactions, movement of SNM, application of tamper-indicating devices, etc.) since the training and qualifications expired.
Not minor if:        The individual performed MBA custodial duties.
: 10.                  Physical Security Example 10a:        An unarmed or armed security officer patrolling buildings, conducting safety observations, fire brigade, or emergency medical team (EMT) activities, or posted within the site owner controlled area, protected area, and/or controlled access area for duties not associated with implementing the NRC-approved security plan is found inattentive. Activities not involved with implementing the NRC-approved security plan can be conducted by any trained and qualified employee, and the site chose to assign site security this activity.
The violation:      Failure to perform activities in accordance with site procedures.
Minor because:      The inattentive unarmed or armed security officer was conducting this activity and had no other duties associated with implementing the NRC-approved security plan, regulatory requirements, and any other applicable Commission requirements such as an Order or Confirmatory Action Letter.
Not minor if:        If the security officer is unarmed or armed and conducting this activity in conjunction with certain activities (not all activities will be more-than-minor) associated with implementing the NRC-approved security plan, regulatory requirements, and any other applicable Commission requirements such as an Order or Confirmatory Action Letter.
Example 10b:        The licensee's security fence is required to be a specific height. The NRC discovers that, in one section, the fence is not at the required height.
The violation:      Failure to meet the license condition that requires the licensee perform activities in accordance with its NRC-approved security plan and/or Order Commitments.
Minor because:      The inner protected area (PA) boundary fence continues to meet the minimum height required by NRC regulations. The inner PA fence Issue Date: 04/01/21                          AppB-37                                          0616
 
effectively performs the function as the demarcation of the PA, ensures assessment of penetration attempts, and delays attempts of unauthorized exits from the PA.
Not minor if:        The inner PA fence does not provide delay attempts at unauthorized exits from the PA and/or the intrusion detection system was not operable in any part of the isolation zones upon discovery.
Example 10c:        Licensee does not perform testing of perimeter intrusion detection system for all potential exploitation methods within the adversary characteristics.
Violation:          Failure to meet 10 CFR 73.46(g) that requires a test and maintenance program for intrusion alarms, emergency exit alarms, communications equipment, physical barriers, and other physical protection related devices and equipment.
Minor because:      When performance tested in accordance with the adversary characteristics, the intrusion detection system detects attempted penetration of the PA.
Not minor if:        The intrusion detection system fails to detect attempted penetration of the PA for one exploitation method.
Example 10d:        The inspectors discovered that the weapons course of fire did not include all of the elements required by the Commission approved training and qualification plan (T&QP).
Violation:          Failure to meet weapons training and qualification requirements in accordance with 10 CFR Part 73, Appendix B and the licensees T&QP and implementing procedures.
Minor because:      The elements are contained in another course of fire, used for qualification, and are trained at the same periodicity and proficiency standards as the weapons training course of fire.
Not minor if:        The elements are not trained in another course of fire in a manner to support proficiency in the use of the assigned weapon or that meets the prescribed standards in the weapons course of fire. For example, an element not trained in a manner to support proficiency in the course of fire would be the licensee not requiring tactical reloading while conducting specific maneuvers and this is not included in the handgun or rifle course of fire.
Example 10e:        An armed or unarmed security officer entered the PA boundary near a vehicle access gate without being searched. The officer mistakenly Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-38                                        0616
 
walked across a PA boundary to speak to the driver of a vehicle.
The violation:      Failure to identify and search all individuals for firearms, explosives, and incendiary devices at the PA boundary.
Minor because:      Central Alarm Station (CAS) Operator identified it and the officer immediately exited.
Not minor if:        The licensee failed to immediately identify the officer crossing the PA boundary without being searched and therefore did not detect unauthorized activities at the PA boundary.
Example 10f:        A security officer performing security response related duties failed to inform their supervisor that they were taking prescription medication as required by the sites fitness-for-duty (FFD) procedures. Additionally, the employee indicated that the type of medication does not have any physical or mental affects that would impair the officers FFD suitability to perform security duties. This was confirmed by the licensees medical review officer (a licensed physician).
Violation:          Failure to meet the licensees written FFD procedure that is required by 10 CFR 26.27.
Minor because:      A licensed physician confirmed that the medication would not impair the officer from performing their security duties.
Not minor if:        The medication could have impaired or prevented the officer from effectively implementing their security response duties.
Example 10g:        A security officer performing access control functions (x-ray machine operator) at the access control facility discovered that their gas mask filters had exceeded the expiration date by two days. Upon discovery, the licensee relieved the officer of duties until they were provided current gas mask filters. The officer was one of the committed armed contingency responders. The licensee conducted an extent of condition review and determined that the issue was isolated and all other gas mask filters issued to officers were up-to-date.
The violation:      Failure to meet the requirements of 10 CFR 73.46(g)(5) and the NRC-approved security plan, for ensuring a physical protection related subsystem was maintained in operable condition.
Minor because:      The success of the licensee protective strategy was not contingent on the duties of the access control officer if they were attacked by gas at that location. The final access control officer controlled all critical shutdown points. The officer was not previously assigned to response position that Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-39                                            0616
 
could be significant to the licensees overall protective strategy during the time that the gas mask filter was expired.
Not minor if:        The issue involved a security officer whose duties as a committed responder were significant to the licensees implementation of their overall protective strategy.
Example 10h:        A licensee employee self-reported that they had entered the site PA and inadvertently brought with them a small mace spray container that is considered by the licensees written security implementing procedures to be a contraband item and prohibited from being inside the PA.
Violation:          Failure to control prohibited items in accordance with the licensees security implementing procedures, and the NRC-approved security plan, for controlling items that are prohibited from the PA.
Minor because:      The item was a small mace spray that was not used as a threat to the licensee and it was self-reported by the employee.
Not minor if:        The employee attempted to use the mace as a threat and the event lead to a substantial security consequence (i.e., able to mace several tactical responders in a short period of time). If such a situation could happen with a coordinated attack, it has the potential to lead to a substantial security consequence.
Example 10i:        The licensee failed to perform the weekly security lighting inspections as required by the licensees written procedure. Upon discovery, the licensee immediately conducted the lighting inspection and discovered one small area inside the PA that was below the required illumination level for assessing unauthorized activities inside the PA. The licensee, using closed-circuit television, assessed the area from the CAS and the operator was capable of assessing activities in the affected area. The security department immediately submitted a work order request to get the lighting repaired.
Violation:          Failure to meet the licensees written procedures and NRC-approved security plan for security systems weekly testing.
Minor because:      The area affected failed below the required illumination level. However, the licensee demonstrated that illumination in the area was sufficient to detect unauthorized activity.
Not minor if:        It was determined that it was a significant degradation in the licensees ability to adequately assess unauthorized activity in the area. For example, very low level lighting covering a large part of the PA that was not observable from the CAS and/or Secondary Alarm Station (SAS) and no compensatory measures were in place.
Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-40                                          0616
 
Example 10j:          An event occurs where the licensee discovered that the SAS officer was found inattentive (appeared to be sleeping or unresponsive). At the time of the discovery, two qualified alarm station operators were performing duties inside the CAS.
The violation:        Failure to maintain a primary and secondary alarm station as required by 10 CFR 73.46(e)(5).
Minor because:        The acceptable compensatory measure for a loss of one alarm station is to have two qualified operators inside the operational alarm station.
Not minor if:        At the time of the event, there is only one qualified operator inside the operational alarm station or the inattentive officers actions are determined to be willful.
Example 10k:          During the conduct of a limited scope test at the access control portal, an access control security officer performed a search on an individual who failed the walk-through metal detector while entering the PA access control facility. The access control security officer, as required by the licensees procedure, performed a handheld metal search on the individual. However, the officers search failed to detect the training firearm on the individual resulting in the potential for the individual to enter the PA with a firearm.
The violation:        Failure to detect attempts to introduce unauthorized material into the PA as required by 10 CFR 73.45(f)(2).
Minor because:        The licensee has established a limited scope performance testing program that tests aspects of the overall security program. The program requires very strict safety controls and notification to management and the shift supervisor prior to being conducted. The failure was performed under a safe controlled environment for testing purposes. The officer was immediately removed from the duties to be retrained. Another qualified access control officer was posted at the access control point to perform access control functions.
Not minor if:  The test was performed during an NRC inspection.
Example 10l:          An NRC inspector requested to review a licensees in-transit security response program for shipping Special Nuclear Material (SNM). Although the licensee had a security program for in-transit shipments, they informed the NRC inspector that they were not responsible for security of the shipments once the shipment departs their site. Since the licensee Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-41                                            0616
 
delivered the SNM to the carrier for transport, the inspector requested written confirmation that the receiver accepted responsibility for in-transit security. The licensee was unable to provide written confirmation.
The violation:      Failure to properly arrange for in-transit physical protection of SNM of low strategic significance as required by 10 CFR 73.67(g)(1)(v), which requires that a licensee agree in writing to arrange for the in-transit physical protection when they are not the shipper.
Minor because:      The licensee had in place an adequate in-transit physical protection program to respond if needed. In addition, there had not been an in-transit security event requiring them to respond.
Not minor if:        There had been an in-transit security incident involving a shipment that the licensee was required to respond to but failed to do so.
Example 10m:        The licensee conducted an audit of the random security inspections required to be performed by the shift security officers. During the audit the licensee noticed on the inspection log that 3 days prior to their audit, one of the inspected locations (i.e., exterior UF6 cylinder pad within the Controlled Access Area [CAA]) was not inspected for anomalies by the shift security officer.
The violation:      Failure to adequately conduct random security inspections as required by the licensees written security procedure and the NRC-approved security plan.
Minor because:      The licensee conducted an investigation and extent of condition review that revealed no anomalies and the officer responsible for the check indicated that he simply failed to check the area. The area is located within the CAA and is observable by security officers. In addition, the licensees investigation revealed that there were no issues in the area and all material was accounted for.
Not minor if:        At the time of the event, there was a discovered anomaly.
Example 10n:        During an outside walkdown, the inspectors identified less than the required foot candles illumination between large storage boxes and other adjacent dimly lit areas. The licensee implemented temporary lighting until permanent lighting modifications could be implemented.
The violation:      Failure to adequately illuminate the physical perimeter as required by the licensees written security procedures and the NRC-approved security plan and regulations.
Minor because:      The licensee conducted an investigation and extent of condition walkdown that revealed no other anomalies and determined that the dimly Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-42                                          0616
 
lit area was the result of recently moved storage items within the protected area which is observable by security officers.
Not minor if:        A reportable event resulted as a result of the lighting degradation.
END Issue Date: 04/01/21                        AppB-43                                      0616
 
Change Table NRC IMC-0616 effective 4/1/21, Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards Inspection Reports, Appendix B - Examples of Minor Issues Prepared by Industry - April 2021
 
Page Section                          Description of Change                  Reason for Change Number Screening  App B-1  First paragraph, last sentence. Changed any to Improve guidance for process            at least one and changed is to may be and  assessing whether a deleted generally                              violation is minor or more than minor Screening  App B-1 Deleted second paragraph regarding overall        Removed change in risk process            change in risk                                  screening information that was added to Aug 2017 version Screening  App B-2 Changed got lucky to discovered and          Improve guidance for question 2          changed would to could and fixed typo:      assessing whether a lead to led                                      violation is minor or more than minor Screening  App B-2 Changed is it risk significant to fails to    Improve guidance for question 6          meet performance requirements and              assessing whether a deleted the sentence added to the 2021          violation is minor or more version beginning with Consider the risk      than minor Screening  App B-2 Changed reduction in safety margin to          Improve guidance for question 7          significant increased likelihood in safety      assessing whether a consequences                                    violation is minor or more than minor Screening  App B-2 Added when needed that result in a failure to    Improve guidance for question 8          meet performance requirements and deleted      assessing whether a the sentence added to the 2021 version          violation is minor or more beginning with Consider the risk              than minor Screening  App B Deleted the sentence added to the 2021 version Improve guidance for question 11    3    beginning with Consider the risk              assessing whether a violation is minor or more than minor Screening  App B-3 Deleted the sentence added to the 2021 version Improve guidance for question 12          beginning with Consider the risk              assessing whether a violation is minor or more than minor Screening  App B-3 Deleted the sentence added to the 2021 version Improve guidance for question 14          beginning with Consider the risk              assessing whether a violation is minor or more than minor Screening  App B-3 Changed reasonable level of safety margin to Improve guidance for question 16          provide reasonable assurance of adequate        assessing whether a protection                                      violation is minor or more than minor Screening  App B-4 Added based on and changed and to or        Clarification question 31 Example 1b  App B-6  Changed implement to establish or            Clarify management maintain                                        measure requirements to align with 70.62(d)
 
Example 1c  App B-6  Changed implement to establish or              Clarify management maintain                                        measure requirements to align with 70.62(d)
Example 1d  App B-7  Changed implement to establish or              Clarify management maintain                                        measure requirements to align with 70.62(d)
Example 1e  App B-7  Changed implement to establish or              Clarify management maintain                                        measure requirements to align with 70.62(d)
Example 1f  App B-8  Changed implement to establish or              Clarify management maintain                                        measure requirements to align with 70.62(d)
Example 1g  App B-8  Changed implement to establish or              Clarify management maintain                                        measure requirements to align with 70.62(d)
Example 1h  App B-9  Changed implement to establish or              Clarify management maintain                                        measure requirements to align with 70.62(d)
Example 1i  App B-9  Changed implement to establish or              Clarify management maintain                                        measure requirements to align with 70.62(d)
Example 1j  App B Changed implement to establish or              Clarify management 10    maintain                                        measure requirements to align with 70.62(d)
Example 1j -  App B-10 Changed to ensure that an IROFS remained        Improve guidance for the violation          available and reliable to , which led to the    assessing whether a IROFS degradation or failure not being within the violation is minor or more analyzed failure rate                            than minor Example 1j -  App B-10 Changed risk margin above and beyond to risk  Improve guidance for minor because          index that meets                                assessing whether a violation is minor or more than minor Example 1j -  App B-10 The inspectors determined that the failure      Improve guidance for added also            was within its analyzed failure rate in the ISA,  assessing whether a minor if            or the licensee could credit IROFS from other    violation is minor or more accident sequences.                            than minor Example 1j -  App B-10 Changed no remaining risk margin above and      Improve guidance for not minor if          beyond to licensee not meeting                assessing whether a violation is minor or more than minor
 
Example 2h  App B-13 Added significant before moderator          Improve guidance for assessing whether a violation is minor or more than minor Example 4a  App B-19 Changed implement to establish or            Clarification maintain Example 4c  App B-20 Changed implement to establish or            Clarification maintain Example 4c -  App B-20 Changed adversely impact the ability to        Improve guidance for minor because          result in a failure to meet performance        assessing whether a requirements                                    violation is minor or more than minor Example 4c -  AppB-20 Added and results in a failure to meet          Improve guidance for not minor if          performance requirements                        assessing whether a violation is minor or more than minor Section 5  AppB-22 Edited section title                              Correction Example 5b  AppB-23 Changed Conformance to Compliance            Correction Example 6f  AppB-28 Fixed typo in Minor because section            Correction Example 6f  AppB-29 Fixed typo in Not minor if section              Correction Example 7c -  AppB-32 Reworded section - changed implement to          Clarify management the violation          establish management measures to ensure        measure requirements to compliance                                    align with 70.62(d)
Example 7e  AppB-32 Changed implement to establish or              Clarification maintain Example 7e -  AppB-34 The inspectors determined that the failure      Improve guidance for added also          was within its analyzed failure rate in the ISA, assessing whether a minor if            or the licensee could credit IROFS from other    violation is minor or more accident sequences.                            than minor Example 7e -  AppB-33 Changed not within its analyzed failure rate    Improve guidance for not minor if          to resulted in not meeting performance          assessing whether a requirements                                    violation is minor or more than minor Example 8c  AppB-34 Corrected 10 CFR reference in The violation    Correction section Example 8e  AppB-35 Corrected typo                                    Correction Example 9a/9b  AppB-36 Added line between Examples 9a and 9b            Correction}}

Revision as of 23:30, 16 January 2022

1) Industry-Suggested Edits to IMC 0616 - April 2021 Version
ML21236A302
Person / Time
Site: Nuclear Energy Institute
Issue date: 04/20/2021
From: Schlueter J
Nuclear Energy Institute
To: Andrea Kock
Division of Fuel Management
OSiurano-Perez 301-415-7827 NMSS/DFM/FFL
Shared Package
ML21236A302 List:
References
Download: ML21236A302 (49)
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