NRC Generic Letter 1983-39

NRC Generic Letter 1983-039: Voluntary Surevey of Licensed Operators

ML031080558
Person / Time
Issue date:	12/08/1983
From:	Eisenhut D G Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:
References
GL-83-039, NUDOCS 8312120029
Download: ML031080558 (12)

• & ,:_ I 0.caniDecember .1983LITO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UTILITIES ON THE ATTACHED LISTGentlemen:SUBJECT: VOLUNTARY SURVEY OF LICENSED OPERATORS (Generic Letter No. 83-39)The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has contracted with Battelle Pacificnorthwest Laboratories and its Human Affairs Research Centers to undertake amailed survey of selected licensed operations personnel at commercialoperating nuclear power plants. This information collection request has beenapproved under O11B Clearance lumber 3150-0102 which expires February 28,1985.The purpose of the survey is to provide information that will be useful inunderstanding current work and staffing practices in nuclear power plantoperations. The survey focuses on work and shift scheduling, operations cressstaff, and the shift technical advisor position. Participation in the surveyis voluntary.The survey will provide an opportunity for industry-wide input from licenseepersonnel on significant regulatory issues currently under consideration bythe Commission. For example, responses to the survey will be considered indeveloping several recommendations, including a mechanism for operator-NRCcommunication and licensed operator crew composition (pursuant to NUREG-0660,NUREG-0737). Survey results will be reported in aggregate form to preventthe identification of individual respondents and specific utilities orplants.Should you have any questions about the survey, please contactDr. liary V. MlcGuire at Battelle (206)525-3130, or Ns. Dolores ilorisseau atthe NRC (301)492-4922.Sincerely,VAWDarrell G. Eisenhut, Director / [iDivision of Licensing IOffice of Nuclear Reactor Regulationtives SurveyEnclosure:List of Utility RepresentaL.S 1-,OFFICE DHFS:LQB:C D11rS:bD DW D /DH ForisseL i b HTh X / .---.W...... ..u. ..TT .H T p. l.....1 138 /3 /8 3 l8 3 / 8 3 l ........3i.....ii.7.....ll...DATE > .......... .. ...... ..... .... ....... __._. ........ ........ 1~ ...... ........ ...... .. ............. ....... 1 ...tG......... ........................=R FORM 318 (10-80) NRCM 0240O FFICIA L REFC O RD C OPYMSGMo 1981-33g96 Utilities being Asked to Participate in this SurveyRegion IGPU Nuclear Tnc. P i SPennsylvania Power and Light Co. 37i -Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. 4;ltRegion II kAlabama Power Co. I I >SC -Carolina Power and Light Co. -Florida Power Corp. -eO.Mississippi Power and Light Co. { w ,South Carolina Electric and Gas Co. V9I'11Region IIICommonwealth Edison .Consumers Power Co.P< 'Dairyland Power Cooperative 1 -Indiana and Michigan Electric Co. iIowa Electric Light and Power Co. 'p1Northern States Power Co. fu _Toledo Edison Co. 34o 3 aWisconsin Electric Power Co. -r-"Wisconsin Public Services Corp. fs%-Region IVNebraska Public Power District '-9Omaha Public Power District ZYf ,Arkansas Power and Light Co. q-/&Public Service Company of Colorado %+-Region V IPortland General Electric Co. 4 _, -Sacramento Municipal Utility District -Southern California Edison -<-5 >F

I-1This information collection has beenapproved under OMB No. 3150-0102which expires 02/28185.Plant Survey Number __SURVEY ON OPERATIONS CREW PRACTICESPART I. WORK AND SHIFT SCHEDULE:This questionnaire contains items concerning several different issues. First, there are several questions about yourwork and shift schedule.1. Please indicate what shift(s) you were working during your last full work week (without vacation or sick leave)by checking one box below.O DayO Swingo GraveyardO Other (e.g., combination, training, etc.). Please specify:2. Please describe the operations shift crew that you worked with during your last full work week by completingthe following table.Job TitleShift supervisor (person responsible for shift)Senior reactor operator (other than SS)Reactor operatorAuxiliary or assistant operatorShift technical advisorOther (please specify):Number in Shift Crew1.23.Total Number on Shift3. Please indicate how often you have worked overtime in your current job during the last year. (Check one boxbelow.)O NeverO Less than once a monthO About once a monthO Several times a month, but not every weekO At least once every week4. When you work overtime, how much overtime do you typically work per day? (Please write in the number ofhours below.)hours per day

5. The following isa list of situations in which you may be asked to work overtime. Please indicate your reasons forworking overtime In each situation by checking the appropriate boxes below.Working overtime }Working overtm 1 I never workis voluntary under Iis required as overtime underthese conditions I part of the job Ithese conditionsDuring normal operations to coverfor staff absenteeismDuring normal operations due toregular shift rotationDuring normal operations toattend staff trainingDuring planned evolutions oroutages (for example, refueling,scheduled maintenance) _________ _________During unplanned abnormalconditionsOther (please specify):6. Please Indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements about shift work andovertime by circling the appropriate numbers below.NeitherAgreeStrongly Moderately Slightly nor Slightiy Moderately StronglyAgree Agree Agree Disagree Disagree Disagree Disagreea. Shift rotation interfereswith my personal and 1 2 3 A 5 6 7b. I like the days off I getfrom shift rotation. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7c. accept AMif rotationas part ofmy job.;1 2 -,3 4 5. 6 7d. Rotating shifts should bechanged to regular shifts. .1 2 3 4 5 67shftw ha 12-he ou. 1 2 3 4 5 67Week.f. Overtime should bevoluntary. '- 12 3 4 5 6 7g. orin ovrtmesome-:~timescreatesplant' 1- -4. 5 6 7safety problems. --h. Overtime requirementsinterfere with my 1 2 3 4 5 6 7personal and family life.I. Ilktheextra pay. get-tromwo noetm.-- 1 -2 3~ 7:-4 5 6 72 II-j7. In your opinion, afterworking four or more hours overtime, the time off before returning to work should be at least:o 4 hour4.62963e-5 days <br />0.00111 hours <br />6.613757e-6 weeks <br />1.522e-6 months <br />so 8 hour9.259259e-5 days <br />0.00222 hours <br />1.322751e-5 weeks <br />3.044e-6 months <br />so 12 hour1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />sO 16 hour1.851852e-4 days <br />0.00444 hours <br />2.645503e-5 weeks <br />6.088e-6 months <br />so 24 hour2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br />s8. In your opinion, what is the minimum operations shift crew necessary to operate your plant safely? What is theideal operations shift crew? (Please indicate your opinions by completing the following table.)Minimum Numberin Shift CrewIdeal Numberin Shift CrewJob TitleShift supervisor (person responsible for shift)Senior reactor operator (other than SS)Reactor operatorAuxiliary or assistant operatorShift technical advisorOther (please specify):1.2.-3.Total Number on ShiftPLEASE TURN TO PAGE 43

--- --- --- ____---- --. II IIPART II. THE SHIFT TECHNICAL ADVISOR:Next there are several questions about the shift technical advisor position at your plant Please note that these questions.apply to the staff position performing the STA function (e~g, 'STA." 'Shift Engineer,' etc.).9. A list of activitiesthat might be performed byan STAis shown below. Please look ateach item on this listand circlethe appropriate numbers to Indicate whether the STA at your plant performs these activities while on STA duty.Performs PerformsDuring DuringNormal Off-normal Never Don'tOperations Operations Performs KnowMonitorvitalcorepiariameters 1234Writes/reviews LERs .~ .1 -2 3 4Reviews or develops changes in procedures 1 2 3'4Performs accident analyses 1 2 3 4Trainsstff 1 2 3Mnitors oprtosfor plant aeyi* 2 '3 4Assists with shift turnover 12 3 4Assumes responsibility for adherence totechnical specs and procedures 1 2 3 4Directscontrol_'_ r civtes 3"' 4- --;Monitors saeuards equipment. ,21 2 34Performs calculations (e.g., heat balance) 1 2 34Directs preparation for maintenance 1 2 3 4a tans (cl upor3c 4Reviews or approves surveillance tests .123 4Reduces paperwork load of shift supervisor 1 2 3 4Approves tagging of safety-related equipment 1 2 3 4Diagnosesanormnal conditions 1I 4Provides SS with overall perspective 2' 3 ."Haindls phone communication 1 2 3 4Reads procedures 1 2 3 4Performs reactor engineering fnctionsand projects -. .2 .3 -4Checks control panel indicators ofplant condition 1 2 3 4viw h o ds: 2 4Maintains awareness of plant status -- 123 -4Maintains shift activities log 12 3 4Performs technical servicesdepartment assignments 1 2 3 4Studie.for icens 3 4Reviews operating expen rie nc 1 .: ?. 4Oter (please specify):1.2.3.1112223334444

10. How often did you discuss control room operations or status with the STA on duty during your lastfull work week?O Nevero Onceo A few times during the weeko Every dayo Several times a dayO Almost constantly11. Please list the topics you discussed most frequently with the STA during your last full work week:12. a. Approximately how many off-normal situations have you experienced when you were on shift in the past year?An off-normal situation is any unplanned transient (Please write in the number of off-normal situations below.)Off-normal situations (If none, please skip to Question 13 on page 7.)b. Did the operators request assistance in any of these off-normal situations?0 NoO Yes. If yes, in how many cases?c. Please indicate who was called and the number of off-normal situations in which they were called forassistance in the past year when you were on shift by completing the table below.Number of TimesIndividual or Group Called CalledOperations SuperintendentOn-call EngineerChemistry and Health PhysicsShift Technical AdvisorQuality Assurance or ControlInstrumentation and ControlMaintenance/MechanicalMaintenance/ElectricalTraining DepartmentPlant ManagerOther (please specify):1.2.3.4.5 d. Please describe the three most recent off-normal situations in which the shift technical advisor (STA) wascalled or participated when you were on shift Indicate the type of assistance provided by checking theappropriate boxes below.CASE 1:Type of situation:O STA was called 0 STA participated without being calledAssistance provided by the STA (Check all that apply.)O read procedures 0 monitored vital 0 wrccore parameters,te/reviewed LERso provided diagnosticassistanceO performed accidentanalysis3 OtherO handled phonecommunicationo provided shiftsupervisor withoverall perspective.How helpful was this assistance? (Check one.)NeitherHelpfulVery Moderately Slightly norHelpful Helpful Helpful UnhelpfulSlightly Moderately VeryUnhelpful Unhelpful Unhelpful030003030303CASE 2:Type of situation:O STA was called 0 STA participated without being calledAssistance provided by the STA (Check all that apply.)O read procedures 0 monitored vital 0 wrotocore parametersO provided diagnostic 0 performed accident 0 Otheassistance analysis9Ireviewed LERsO handled phone 0 provided shiftcommunication supervisor withoverall perspectiveHow helpful was this assistance? (Check one.)VeryHelpfulNeitherHelpfulModerately Slightly nor SlightlyHelpful Helpful Unhelpful UnhelpfulModeratelyUnhelpful UnIVeryhelpful0303030l03O036 CASE 3:Type of situation:C STA was called0 STA participated without being calledAssistance provided by the STA (Check all that apply.)C read procedureso provided diagnosticassi stanceO handled phonecommunicationo monitored vitalcore parameterso performed accidentanalysisO provided shiftsupervisor withoverall perspectiveEl Other:0 wrote/reviewed LERSHow helpful was this assistance? (Check one.)NeitherHelpfulVery Moderately Slightly nor Slightly ModeratelyHelpful Helpful Helpful Unhelpful Unhelpful UnhelpfulVeryUnhelpful_I3ElIEl1ID01IDEl13. Below are a number of statements about the actual use of the STA at your plant Please indicate the extent towhich you personally agree or disagree with each statement by circling the appropriate numbers.NeitherAgreenor Slightly Moderately StronglyDisagree Disagree Disagree DisagreeStrongly Moderately SlightlyAgree Agree Agreea. The STA enhances effective.-- -plant operations .12 3 4 56b. TheSTAhastoolittleauthority 1 2 3 4 5 6 7during off -normal conditions.have improved since the 1 2 3 4 5 76 7-position was created. .-d. The STA should be requiredto have an engineeringdegree.1 2 3 4 5 6 7e. The STAis an unnecessary 1 -2 -,3 -4 5 6position. .,f. STAs should have moreoperations experience. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7conditions the STA con- 1 -2trb sto plant safetyh. The STA should have anSRO license. 1 23 4 73 4 5 6 7i. The STA does not have .- -.-enough to doduringnormal 1 23 45 6j- The overall benefits of theSTA position justify theadditional staffing costs.1 2 3 4 5 6 77 PART lil.

BACKGROUND

Next there are a number of questions about your work experience and education.14. What is your current job title and department?TitieDepartment15. What is the title of the person to whom you report? That is, who is your main supervisor?TitleDepartment16. Do you belong to a union or collective bargaining unit?O NoO Yes17. Into what job(s) in your plant or utility could you move from your current position?Job Title Department18. How tong have you worked in your present job?years months19. What two jobs did you hold prior to this job? Please list your most recent job first.Type ofOrganization Number ofTitle Department (Utility, Military, etc.) Years1.2.20. How long have you been with this utility?years months21. How many years of experience do you have in nuclear operations?Commercial (with this orother utilities) .yearsNuclear Navy .yearsOther (please specify):.._ years22. How many years of experience do you have in other modes of electricityproduction?Fossil: yearsHydro: years8

23. What is your educational background? (Please check the highest level of formal education you have completed.)o GEDO High school graduateO 1-2 years of college ................... Field:O Associate degree ..................... Field:O 3-4 years of college ................... Field: iO Bachelors degree ..................... Field: iO Some post-graduate education ......... Field: iO Masters degree ....................... Field:-0 Other (please specify):24. What license(s) do you hold for your present station? (Check all that apply.)o RO License (for years)o SRO License (for years)O Other (please specify):25. What license(s), if any, have you held previously? (Check all that apply.)O RO on BWRo RO on PWRo SRO on BWRo SRO on PWRO Other (please specify):PART IV: SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE:Finally, these last questions ask about your opinion of this survey.26. Several statements describing this questionnaire are listed below. Please indicate the extent to which you agreeor disagree with each of these statements by circling the appropriate numbers.NeitherAgreeStrongly Moderately Slightly nor Slightly Moderately StronglyAgree Agree Agree Disagree Disagree Disagree DisagreeI feel that the questionsadequately addressed the issueof:.:a.. Mworkandshift schedle 12 3 -4 -57b. The shift technical advisor 1 2 3 4 5 6 7c. My background -.1 -:2: 2'3 X 4 : 5 6 7-This sort of questionnaire is agood way to obtain 1 2 3 4 5 6 7input from operations staff.9

27. In your opinion, what would be the best ways of obtaining input from operations staff on issues of concern to theNRC? Please indicate your opinions by circling the appropriate numbers below. kNeitherGoodnorPoorVery Modealy SlightlyGood Good GoodSlightly Moderately Very.Poor Poor PoorWritten questionnaires ormailedsurvey- 1 2 3 456Personal interviews 1 2 3 4 5 6 7Telephone interews w 1 2 3 4 5 .6Suggestion system or box 1 2 3 4 5 6 7Smaallk wp- 4 2'3 :'5 6 7Conferences1 2 3 4 5 6 7Other (please specify):.1." -1 2 3 -4 5 6 7:2 3 4 5 6 7Please use the space below (or the following pages) for any additional comments.THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND ASSISTANCE.PLEASE RETURN THIS QUESTIONNAIRE IN THE ATTACHED RETURN ENVELOPE TO:Battelle Human Affairs Research Centers4000 N.E. 41st StreetSeattle, WA 98105If you have any questions about this survey, or if your returnenvelope Is missing, please contact usatthe above address or bytelephone at (206) 525-3130, extension 475.10