IR 05000284/1987001

Ack Receipt of Re Violations Noted in Insp Rept 50-284/87-01

ML20213G335
Person / Time
Site:	Idaho State University
Issue date:	05/11/1987
From:	Fisher W NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV)
To:	Hutchinson J IDAHO STATE UNIV., POCATELLO, ID
References
NUDOCS 8705180239
Download: ML20213G335 (2)

Text

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MAY I i 1987 In Reply Refer To:

Docket: 50-284/87-01 Idaho State University ATTN: Dr. J. Hutchinson Vice President for Academic Affairs Pocatello, Idaho 83209 Gentlemen:

Thank you for your letter of April 10, 1987, in response to our letter and Notice of Violation dated March 12, 1987. We have reviewed your reply and find it responsi_ve to the concerns raised in our Notice of Violation. We will review the implementation of your corrective actions during a future inspection to determine that full compliance has been achieved and will be maintained.

Sincerely, ORIGINAL SIGNED BYi William L. Fisher, Chief Radiological and Safeguards Programs Branch CC:

Radiation Control Section Department of Health and Welfare Statehouse Boise, Idaho 83720

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Idaho State University

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ATTN: Dr. A. Wilson Reactor Supervisor College of Engineering Box 8060 Pocatello, Idaho 83209 RIV:FRPS C:FRPS ] C:R&SPBh HDChaney/jt BMurray WLFisher k / /87 6~/5'/87 K / /87 mo i.o m 87o,,1 PDR G

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l e- % ss Idaho State University -2-Idaho State University ATTN: Dr. D. T. Neill Radiation Safety Committee Chairman College of Engineering Box 8060 Pocatello, Idaho 83209 Argonne National Laboratory ATTN: John H. Just P. O. Box 2528 Idaho Falls, Idaho 83403-2528 Idaho State University ATTN: C. Freshman Radiation Safety Officer College of Engineering Box 8060 Pocatello, Idaho 83209 Idaho State University ATTN: Dr. V. Charyulu, Dean College of Engineering Pocatello, Idaho 83209 bec to DMB (IE01)

bec distrib. by RIV:

RPB R. D. Martin, RA R&SPB D. Weiss, RM/ALF RIV File DRSP RSB MIS SYSTEM RSTS Operator Inspector Section Chief W. L. Fisher R. L. Bangart R. E. Hall H. N. Berkow, NRR

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APR I 51987 3

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lDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY j VicE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS lO POCATELLO, IDAHO 83209 :_

aos> 2352aes Docket No.

50-284/87-01 April 10, 1987 J.E. Gagliardo, Chief Reactor Projects Branch U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region IV 611 Ryan Plaza Drive, Suite 1000 Arlington, Texas 76011

Dear Mr. Gagliardo:

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I have askeil Dr. Albert E. Wilson, Reactor Sopervisor for the ISU AGN-201 nuclear reactor, to prepare a response to the Notice of i violation enclosed with your letter of March 12, 1987. His re-port is attached.

I concur with the conclusions and recommendations contained in Dr. Wilson's response. I have appointed Dr. Wilson to the posi-tion of Reactor Administrator and have asked that he assume

. responsibility for ensuring that his recommendations are carried out.

Should you have any questions concerning his report I would request that you contact him at (208) 236-2902. If I can be of -

further assistance, please let me know.

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Si erely,

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'//. :fiWeNt?a#l John M. Hutchinson

/ Vice President for <

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Academic Affairs JMH:kvt Enclosure

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ISU is An Equal Opportunity Employer

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PROPOSED REPONSE TO NRC NOTICE OF VIOLATION Prepared by Albert E. Wilson Reactor Supervisor Reference: Docket No. 50-284/87-01 Letter from J.E. Gagliardo, 3/12/87

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The following response to the NRC Notice of Violation as set forth in appendix A of the letter from J.E. Gagliardo, Chief, Reactor Projects Branch, is submitted for consideration and ap-proval of the central administration of Idaho State University.

It should answer all of the questions concerning violation of Technical Specifications raised during the NRC inspection con-ducted February 4-6, 1987.

A. Reactor Administrator Qualifications This violation occurred when facility staffing was reduced below the minimum deemed suitable for continued operation. During the -

1984-85 academic year, Dr. A.E. Wilson, who holds a valid SRO

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License, was on leave of absence to obtain additional profes-sional experience at a commercial nuclear power plant. The only other licensed SRO at the facility, Terry Smith, resigned to ac-capt a position at Los Alamos National Laboratory. A formerly licensed SRO, Jerry Ramsay, was re-examined and had his license reinstated. However, Mr. Ramsay was not a full time employee of the University, and'it was deemed by the Reactor Safety Committee that it would be advisable to have a Reactor Administrator who was at the facility full time. Unfortunately, the decision was not documented and the request for a change in Technical Specifications, which would have been required to implement the decision, was never submitted. For these reasons, the violation -

occurred.

The Reactor Safety Committee met on April 3, 1987 to review the findings of the NRC inspection and make recommendations for resolution of the findings. Their recommendation was two-fold:

1) that Dr. A.E. Wilson be appointed as Reactor' Administrator (in addition to his position of Reactor Supervisor) since he has a valid NRC SRO license and has returned to full time duties at ISU, and 2) that a request for a change in Technical Specifica-tions be prepared to eliminate the SRO requirement from the Reac-tor Administrator position. The change requested will provide more flexibility in the future and prevent future violations of this type.

Facility staffing has been completed. Two more persons are pre-pared to take the NRC SRO exam and two to take the RO exam.

These exams will be given the week of April 13, 1987. Assuming-1-

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1 that at least one person passes the SRO exam, there will be ade-

quate qualified staff to satisfy present Technical Specifications.

Even so, a change in Technical Specifications will be requested

so that staff qualification requirements will conform with ANSI /

ANS-15.4-1977 (N380), " Selection and Training of Personnel for Research Reactors." According to that document, the Reactor Ad-

ministrator should meet Level Two qualifications which do not include license or certification as an operator.

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l Compliance with present Technical Specifications was achieved on

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April 10, 1987, when Dr. A.E. Wilson was appointed Reactor Administrator.

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Full compliance with the intent of ANSI /ANS-15.4 (1977) will be

achieved when the change in Technical Specifications is approved

and implemented.

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B. Failure to Post High Radiation Areas t

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one of the areas, adjacent to the side of the reactor, was posted

as a radiation area. The other, on the top, was not posted but i the entire lab is posted as a radiation area when the reactor is i in operation or when maintenance is being performed. An ad-i ministrative control was in effect whenever the reactor was being-

! operated that neither of the areas could be entered without

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operator permission. When permission was granted the operator l would inform the person entering of the possible radiation and

! require that a hand-held radiation monitor be carried into the i area. It is apparent, on review of the applicable regulations, i

that this procedure is not adequate when the reactor is operating

[ above 3 watts. After being advised of this fact by the NRC In-l

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spector both areas were immediately posted as "High Radiation Areas" by hand lettering the word "High" on existing radiation

' area signs. Permanent, metal signs which comply with the re-quirements of 10 CFR Part 203(c) were ordered. These new signs have been received and are now installed. The signs are hung on chains across the entry to each of the two mentioned areas. Such _,,

posting is very conspicuous since the chain must be removed to gain access. The administrative control requiring operator per-mission for entry is still in effect.

Full compliance was achieved on March 16, 1987, when the new chains and signs were installed.

The operating procedure will be modified to indicate which bar-riers must be in place prior to reactor operation. This pro-cedure, and the check sheet which accompanies it, will prevent future violations.

C. Failure to Submit Annual Operating Report The Annual Operating Report for 1985 was submitted approximately four and one half months late. The missed date was due, in large part, to a change in facility personnel. The position of Reactor-2-

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, Engineering faculty member. Supervisor had been filled on of a part time ba quirements prior to leaving for the summer.He did not review the annual re-The position mentioned above was filled in the fall of 1986 pending completion of licensing requirements.

is in training to be the Reactor Supervisor caught the ovThe new perso,n who and prepared the report which was then submitted. ersight The report for 1986, due June 30 tad so we are in full compliance., 1987, has already been submit-AEW:lk

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WIbert E. Wilson

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h 4k Reactor Supervisor

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