ML19309B523

Updates Nine Point Action Program Re QA Program Identified in Util 791228 Ltr & 800125 Status Rept.Actions 1-3 & 5-8 Have Been Implemented.Proposes to Begin Placement of safety-related Complex Concrete on 800303

ML19309B523
Person / Time
Site:	South Texas
Issue date:	02/28/1980
From:	Oprea G HOUSTON LIGHTING & POWER CO.
To:	Seyfrit K NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV)
References
ST-HL-AE-425, NUDOCS 8004040240
Download: ML19309B523 (3)

Text

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-- i'] C i t Houston r

Com3any Electnc Tower

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RO Box PD0 I l  ! l Houston. Texas 77001 February 28, 1980 ST-HL-AE- 4 25 SFN: V-0110 Mr. Karl V. Seyfrit, Director U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Office of Inspection and Enforcement Region IV 611 Ryan Plaza Drive, Suite 1000 Arlington, Texas 76012

SUBJECT:

SOUTH TEXAS PROJECT ELECTRIC GENERATION STATION DOCKET NOS. 50-498 AND 50-499 RE: ST-HL-AE-401 (December 28, 1979)

ST-HL-AE-409 (January 25, 1980)

Dear Mr. Seyfrit-We are providing the following update of our nine point action program as identified in our letter of December 28, 1979 and subsequent status report of January 25, 1980.

ACTION ITEMS 1, 2, 3 5, 6, 7 and 8 - All actions have been implemented in accordance with the referenced letter of January 25, 1980.

ACTION ITLM 4 - A MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT OF THE OVERALL QUALIFICATIONS OF THE BROWN & ROOT QA AND QC PERSONNEL WILL B E COMPLETED BY THE END OF JANUARY, 1980, TO PROVIDE THE BASIS FOR UPGRADING THE CALIBER OF PERSONNEL.

OUR PERSONNEL WILL BT INVOLVED IN THIS EVALUATION WITH BROWN & ROOT MANAGEMENT.

STATUS: An assessment of the overall qualifications of the Brown & Root QA and QC personnel has been completed.

Tc place additional emphasis on the overall qualifications of personnel being certifies to perform inspection and testing for the South Texas 'roject, 'er plan to:

1. Continue the certification program started in October, 1979, for each individual and thus require higher minimum experience levels.

, 2. Reduce the ratio of less experienced entry

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level personnel to qualified inspectors j in future employment practices.

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8004040790

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Houston.Lghtirg & Pom Company Mr. Karl V. SOyfrit, Dircctor Pcgs 2 2-28-80

3. Require confirmation of the qualifications of QA/QC personnel prior to certification.

4. Continue the QA/QC and construction refresher training proarams initiated in January, 1980.

5. Improve internal communications within the QA/GC and construction organizations.

6. Continue to observe and evaluate the performance of project personnel and take required action necessary to strengthen and improve performance.

7. Implement a new salary administration program for QA/QC inspectors.

8. Require the discipline supervisors within QA/QC to be certified in all areas of their responsibi-lity.

As a result of the review of all Brown & Root QA/AC personnel (152) we have identified several individuals that had discre-pancies in either their education or work experience background.

These individuals have not been allowed to continue their inspection responsibilities. We informed NRC Region IV personnel (Messrs. Seidel, Crossman and Hall) on February 21, 1980 that those personnel who do not as yet have confirmation of education and work experience are considered qualified to perform their respective functions based on previous examinations and documented proficiency. In order to ensure complete closure of the problem with verification of work experience and education, Nonconformance Report (NCR) H-0311 has been issued. In the future, personnel qualifications will be confirmed prior to certificaticn. Actions originally identified as Action Item

1. 4 have beea implemented.

ACTION ITE'd 9 - AN ASSESSMENT WILL BE MADE STARTING WITH TOP LEVEL MANAGEMENT AND PROCEEDING THROUGHOUT THE BROWN AND ROOT ORGANIZATION TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PER-CEPTION OF HARASSMENT OR UNDUE PRESSURE ON QC PERSONNEL.

CHANGES WILL BE MADE AS RESULTS OF THE ASSESSMENT ARE CLEAR AND CONCLUSIONS CAN BE DRAWN. WE EXPECT TO COMPLETE THIS ASSESSMENT WITHIN THIRTY DAYS.

STATUS: Timelapse, Incorporated, a professional consultant was commissioned to conduct an independent survey of both QA/QC and Construction personnel to determine the cause of the perception of harassment or undue pressure on site QA/QC personnel. This assessment concluded that the

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' flouston Lightg & Power Company Mr. Karl V. Scyfrit, Director Pega 3 2-28-80 perception of harassment on QC personnel could have existed in the past because of instances of confronta-tion between Construction and QC personnel. Each of these instances in themselves was not especially significant, but taken together it was possible that site QC personnel perceived there to be a pattern of harassment and confrontation.

The Timelapse assessment and further investigation and evaluation by the Contractor resulted in the following actions by the Contractor:

1. Re-emphasis of the role of QA/QC to the Construction Team.

2. Additional refresher training, seminars, meetings, etc. to strengthen the role and understanding of QA/QC.

3. A complete revamping of the Contractor's salary administration program for QA/QC at the Site.

4. An improved and more open communication by the QA/QC management at normal site meetings and with all levels of employees.

Based upon the full implementation of our nine point action program, we would propose to begin the placement of safety related complex concrete on March 3, 1980.

Very truly yours,

, '! .

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/ Executiv ice President WNP:rpv cc: Messrs. E. A. Turner W. N. Phillips, Jr.

M. L. Borchelt (CPL) R. L. Waldrop J. W. Moore (CPL) L.D. Wilson J. B. Poston (CPSB) G. B. Painter R. C. Mecke (CPSB) J. D. Parsons R. L. Hancock (COA) M. D. Schwarz (Baker & Botts)

M. C Nitcholas (COA) C. G. Thrash (Baker & Botts)

H. R. Dean H. S. Phillips (NRC)

C. L. McNeese J. R. Geurts (B&R)

R. A. Frazar C. W. Vincent (B&R)

D. G. Barker STP RMS

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