ML18333A277
| ML18333A277 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 10/31/2018 |
| From: | Mendiola A J Research and Test Reactors Oversight Projects Branch |
| To: | |
| Montgomery C | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML18333A271 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML18333A277 (53) | |
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NRC Research and Test Reactor Oversight ActivitiesAnthony Mendiola, ChiefResearch and Test Reactors Oversight BranchU.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission2018 TRTR Annual MeetingOctober 31, 2018 Presentation AgendaPROB Staff ChangesOversight Year in ReviewRTR Inspection Program Year in Review Focus on RTR Safety CultureRTR Operator Licensing Program Year in ReviewOperator Licensing Applications Process ImprovementsFocus on Application Issues and MedicalsOperator License ReactivationRTR Security Program Presentation AgendaPROB Staff ChangesOversight Year in ReviewRTR Inspection Program Year in Review Focus on RTR Safety CultureRTR Operator Licensing Program Year in ReviewOperator Licensing Applications Process ImprovementsFocus on Application Issues and MedicalsOperator License ReactivationRTR Security Program Oversight Branch StaffCraig Bassett, Reactor InspectorJohnny Eads, Reactor InspectorMike Morlang, Reactor InspectorOssy Font, Reactor Inspector John Nguyen, Reactor ExaminerPaulette Torres, Reactor ExaminerAshley Ferguson, Rx InspectorMichele DeSouza, Reactor ExaminerBeth Reed, Security SpecialistMike Takacs, Security InspectorBill Schuster, Security InspectorNicole Parker, Licensing AssistantAngela Baxter, Op Lic AssistantAssistant4Anthony Mendiola, Branch Chief Presentation AgendaPROB Staff ChangesOversight Year in ReviewRTR Inspection Program Year in Review Focus on RTR Safety CultureRTR Operator Licensing Program Year in ReviewOperator Licensing Applications Process ImprovementsFocus on Application Issues and MedicalsOperator License ReactivationRTR Security Program RTR Inspection Program Year in Review Inspection results continue to document that NRC-licensed RTRs are being operated safely and securelyViolations have significantly decreased Overall Inspection observations and findingsRepeated findings from previous inspections not an issueInspection follow-up actions are up minor issues 6 RTR Inspection Program Year in Review Severity Level IV Violations (3)NRC Approved Reviewing OfficialTech Spec Annual AuditEvacuation Drills not heldNon Cited Violations (2)Tech Spec Deviations Reactive Inspections (1)Safety Conscience Work Environment (SCWE)
RTR Inspection Program Year in Review Future inspection challengesMo-99 Facilities Physical security and cyber security threatBalancing Inspector workloadsMore inspectors on staff cross qualifying staffDevelopment of Mo-99 inspection staff8 What is Safety Culture?The Commission defines Nuclear Safety Culture as the core values and behaviors resulting from a collective commitment by leaders and individuals to emphasize safety over competing goals to ensure protection of people and the environment.
What is the NRC policy on safety culture?The expectation that individuals and organizations performing or overseeing regulated activities establish and maintain a positive safety culture commensurate with the safety and security significance of their activities and the nature and complexity of their organizations and functions Traits of a Healthy Safety CultureLeadership Safety Values and ActionsWork ProcessesEffective Safety CommunicationsProblem Identification and ResolutionContinuous LearningRespectful Work EnvironmentPersonal AccountabilityEnvironment for Raising ConcernsQuestioning Attitude Significance within the RTR communityVery SignificantRTRs have minimal direct interface with NRC regulatorsNo resident inspectors No region based inspectorsNRC onsite time is small compared to other regulated facilitiesAssociated staff support for a single facility is very smallNRC must trust and rely upon all RTR managers and operating staff to demonstrate proper safety culture every day regardless of completing goals NRC Educational Materials Available for Safety Culturehttps://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/safety-culture.html Operator Licensing Program Year in ReviewFY 18 RTR Exam Performance remains consistent Administered exams to 75 RO and 25 SRO candidates in FY18Written Exam Pass rate 67/75 for Reactor Operators (89%)11/11 for Senior Reactor Operators (100%)Operating Exam Pass Rate73/75 for Reactor Operators (97%)25/25 for Senior Reactor Operators (100%)14 RTR Operator LicenseDocket Summary375 Active RTR Licenses193 Reactor Operators181 Senior Reactor Operators1 Limited Senior Reactor Operator51% of active licenses have conditions Most of these are corrective lens (84%)Prescribed Medications (13%) Other (3%)15 RTR Operator License Docket ManagementElectronic Processing System (RPS-OL) 88 Terminations26 License Renewals 55 Waivers146 Amendments (Changes to License)Still have issues related to the backlog of operator licensing paperwork.
Guidelines for RTR Op Licensing Applications New examination requests and any examination changes as soon as possible in advance Initial license applications submitted at least 14 days prior to the exam, sooner if waivers requested License renewal applications submitted at least 30 days prior to license expiration dateConsider the use of EIE and ODDProtect against PII disclosuresCheck your mailing addresses17 Presentation AgendaPROB Staff ChangesOversight Year in ReviewRTR Inspection Program Year in Review Focus on RTR Safety CultureRTR Operator Licensing Program Year in ReviewOperator Licensing Applications Process ImprovementsFocus on Application Issues and MedicalsOperator License ReactivationRTR Security Program Operator Licensing Application Process ImprovementsStandardized Application FormsElectronic Secure Submittal to the NRCOperator Digital Docket and RPS-OL Standardized Application FormsNRC Form 396 and 398 Revisions complete Based on Industry feedbackProvided Clarification of instructionsRemoval of unnecessary fieldsAvailable on NRC Forms website OMB approved forms which reduce burden on submitterForms standardized to support for digital records Finding NRC forms forOperator Licensing Finding NRC forms forOperator Licensing Operator Licensing Application Process ImprovementsStandardized Application FormsElectronic Secure Submittal to the NRCOperator Digital Docket and RPS-OL Electronic Secure Submittal to the NRCUse of the Electronic Information Exchange (EIE) systemCost-effective, secure, timely delivery mechanismRequires a rudimentary certificate for authentication and authorization (https://pki.nrc.gov/ecs/apps/eie/dcc-eie-gf.html)Contact the EIE Helpdesk at 1-866-672-7640 or email at Meta_System_Help_Desk.Resource@nrc.gov 25How to get an EIE certificate:www.nrc.gov-help/e-submittals.html)
Operator Licensing Application Process ImprovementsStandardized Application FormsElectronic Secure Submittal to the NRCOperator Digital Docket and RPS-OL Operator Digital Docket (ODD)Automation of components of the OL processElectronic document delivery mechanismcost-effective, secure and timely delivery of documents to NRCData extraction solution for submitted applications Parsed and delivered to the Reactor Program System Reduces the need to manually enter data into RPS-OLsaves time minimizes the risk of data entry errors.https://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals.html
29Improving Record KeepingNRC is moving to digital record keeping for operator dockets (Operator Digital Dockets (ODD))All medical related correspondence and records are maintained digitallyRecommend use of EIE for sending and receiving medical information to/from NRC:Security (encryption)ExpediencyCost savings (shipping)Skips irradiation!
Presentation AgendaPROB Staff ChangesOversight Year in ReviewRTR Inspection Program Year in Review Focus on RTR Safety CultureRTR Operator Licensing Program Year in ReviewOperator Licensing Applications Process ImprovementsFocus on Application Issues and MedicalsOperator License ReactivationRTR Security Program Common Application issuesCommon application issues seen this yearUnclear or missing application information Weeks of training calculation 1 week = 40 hour4.62963e-4 days <br />0.0111 hours <br />6.613757e-5 weeks <br />1.522e-5 months <br />sHandwriting/spelling difficultiesMailing address issues Student addressesIncomplete waiver informationMedical information dates Experience Information on NRC Form 398 Medical Information on NRC Form 396 Recap of medical information from last yearVarious versions (1988, 2007 and 2016)Basis for the RTR medical professional assessments and NRC medical review officer recommendations Basis for Health RequirementsPhysical condition and general health of operators shallbe such that they are capable of carrying out licensed activities and perform associated tasksFor conditions that involve sudden incapacitation, these may be accommodated by restricting activities, imposing a medical regime, or requiring a second individual present (no solo) who shallbe able to shut down the reactor and summon help.
General RequirementsCandidates shalldemonstrate stability and capacity for all of the following: Mental Alertness and Emotional StabilityAcuity of Senses and ability of expression Stamina, Range of motion, Dexterity to support assigned dutiesCandidates shallbe free of any of the following:Mental or physical impairmentsAny medical, surgical, or other professional treatmentAny condition, habit, or practice that might result in incapacitation.
Disqualifying ConditionsThe presence of any of the following conditions, which have a high probability of sudden or unexpected incapacitation, unless adequately compensated,shall disqualify the individual for solo operation.
Disqualifying Conditions Disqualifying conditions include:Respiratory(Asthma)Cardiovascular (Heart conditions)Endocrine, nutritional, metabolic (Insulin dependent diabetes)Neurological (epilepsy)Mental Condition (Psychological testing, personality disorders, suicide attempts/threats, psychotic disorders, alcohol and drug abuse) Medication(Serious prescription drug side effects)Some of these are disqualifying for all conditions, unless treated and corrected Waivers and Limited ApprovalsWaivers considered when minimum requirements not met, but applicant can demonstrate complete capacity to perform assigned duties. Information required:Medical history and results/findings of physical examinationsPractical tests and demonstrations of ability to perform assigned dutiesCertification of Level 2 that individual can safely perform dutiesLimited Approval (no solo)2ndperson present when performing certain assigned duties2ndperson can be summoned when assistance neededFollow-up medical examinations (6 to 12 Months)
Presentation AgendaPROB Staff ChangesOversight Year in ReviewRTR Inspection Program Year in Review Focus on RTR Safety CultureRTR Operator Licensing Program Year in ReviewOperator Licensing Applications Process ImprovementsFocus on Application Issues and MedicalsOperator License ReactivationRTR Security Program 41Regaining Active Operator Status Issue encountered at multiple RTR facilitiesMultiple regulations (10 CFR 55), NRC publications, and historical practices involvedPower reactor practices and simulator useLicense reactivation is distinct from the requalification requirement 4210 CFR 55.53 (e) If a licensee has not been actively performing the functions of an operator or senior operator, the licensee may not resume activities authorized by a license issued under this part except as permitted by paragraph (f) of this section. To maintain active status, the licensee shall actively perform the functions of an operator or senior operator on a minimum of seven 8-hour or five 12-hour shifts per calendar quarter. For test and research reactors, the licensee shall actively perform the functions of an operator or senior operator for a minimum of four hours per calendar quarter.
4310 CFR 55.53 (f) If paragraph (e) of this section is not met, before resumption of functions authorized by a license issued under this part, an authorized representative of the facility licensee shall certify the following:(1) That the qualifications and status of the licensee are current and valid; and(2) That the licensee has completed a minimum of 40 hours4.62963e-4 days <br />0.0111 hours <br />6.613757e-5 weeks <br />1.522e-5 months <br /> of shift functions under the direction of an operator or senior operator as appropriate and in the position to which the individual will be assigned. The 40 hours4.62963e-4 days <br />0.0111 hours <br />6.613757e-5 weeks <br />1.522e-5 months <br /> must have included a complete tour of the plant and all required shift turnover procedures. For senior operators limited to fuel handling under paragraph (c) of this section, one shift must have been completed. For test and research reactors, a minimum of six hours must have been completed.
4410 CFR 55.53 (h) The licensee shall complete a requalification program as 45Reactivation ScenariosA Single operator is inactiveB All operators are inactive, but requalification program requirements are metC All operators are inactive and requalification program requirements are not met 46Scenario A Resolution10 CFR 55.53 (f) If paragraph (e) of this section is not met, before resumption of functions authorized by a license issued under this part, an authorized representative of the facility licensee shall certify the following:(1) That the qualifications and status of the licensee are current and valid; and(2) That the licensee has completed a minimum of 40 hours4.62963e-4 days <br />0.0111 hours <br />6.613757e-5 weeks <br />1.522e-5 months <br /> of shift functions under the direction of an operator or senior operator as appropriate and in the position to which the individual will be assigned. The 40 hours4.62963e-4 days <br />0.0111 hours <br />6.613757e-5 weeks <br />1.522e-5 months <br /> must have included a complete tour of the plant and all required shift turnover procedures. For senior operators limited to fuel handling under paragraph (c) of this section, one shift must have been completed. For test and research reactors, a minimum of six hours must have been completed.
47Scenario B and C Resolution10 CFR 55.53 does not address a scenario where there is no active licensed operator to supervise an individual for under instruction watch at the facility 48Scenario B and C Resolution (cont.)Historical ContextPractices allowed for power reactorsRTR operational differencesVery high turnover, small permanent staff 49Next stepsNRC is exploring how to best resolve Scenarios B and CResolution may involve changes to NRC Examiner StandardsRTR community will be informed prior to any changes Presentation AgendaPROB Staff ChangesOversight Year in ReviewRTR Inspection Program Year in Review Focus on RTR Safety CultureRTR Operator Licensing Program Year in ReviewOperator Licensing Applications Process ImprovementsFocus on Application Issues and MedicalsOperator License ReactivationRTR Security Program Security Program OversightSecurity InspectionProgram OIG Audit No issues Physical Security Plan ReviewsCompensatory Measures Confirmatory Action Letter closuresSecurity and Emergency Exercises Security Program Updates51 Presentation SummaryRTR Inspection results -facilities continue to be operated safely and securely, violations are downSCWE is an agency focus areaRTR Operator Licensing examination performance has been consistent with slight improvementsOperator Licensing process improvements implementedApplications and Medical paperwork is a focus area Operator Licensing reactivation solution under developmentSecurity Program successfully audited and active 52 Questions53