ML20137B775

Responds to NRC 850930 Ltr Re Violations Noted in Insp Rept. Corrective Actions:Reactor Operations Committee Established Firm Schedule for Holding Meetings & Senior Reactor Operator Exams Will Be Conducted

ML20137B775
Person / Time
Site:	University of California - Irvine
Issue date:	10/28/1985
From:	Lillyman W CALIFORNIA, UNIV. OF, IRVINE, CA
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION V)
Shared Package
ML20137B761	List: ML20137B757 ML20137B775
References
NUDOCS 8511260348
Download: ML20137B775 (2)

Text

'

, y y

3- (

y-

~

-UNIVERSITY OF _ CALIFORNIA, IRVINE V-mEmxEE.EY

• DAVIS

• IRVINE

• LOS ANCELES

• RIVERSIDE

• SAN DIECO

• SAN FRANCISCO - -

SANTA BARBARA

• SANTA CRUZ '

Tile VICE CIIANCELLoR 1RVINE, CALIFORNIA 92717 October 28th, 1985 Docket 50-326 License R-116 N N

United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission,

' Region V, 1450 Maria Lane, Suite 210, Walnut Creek, CA -94596 Gentlemen:

Re: Notice of Violation dated September 30th,1985 In connection with the referenced Notice, we respond as follows:

A. "The (Reactor Operations Committee -ROC) failed to meet between November .8th 1984 and June 20th 1985."

As note'd in the inspection report, th'is was reported to Region V,

~

NRC by. letter, dated June' 19th 1985. This matter was discussed at the June 20th 1985 meeting of the ROC, with the inspector by the chair of the committee, and, subsequently, by a portion' of the committee on September 10th 1985 and at a regular meeting of the committee on September 24th 1985. The committee reaffirmed its earlier (February 1984) committment to (a) Establish a firm schedule.

(b) Hold meetings on 'achedule even when a full quorum cannot be present,. with a subsequent meeting or telephone polling if items needing a vote are raised.

(c) Establish a reminder system.

In connection with -the last item, meeting dates will be added to the. reactor facility monthly checklists as a way to' provide additional .

feedback to staff as to the need to prepare for up-coming meetings. A further effort will- be made to establish a committee membership that includes individuals who will be able to attend on a regular basis.

As the ROC met on June 20th 1985, and on September 24th 1985, we are in compliance at this time. Further steps will be in place by the next required meeting.

ft'l A N0lD3h gg e i{l 1 -1 A0ll SMi B511260348 851021 PDR O ADOCM 05000326 ObN PDR 03M333'd i

r Ow '.

,e L

Page 2.-

(B). " annual written examinations were not set for the SRO's at the

' University of California TRIGA "eactor facility in 1982 and 1984. "

Unfortunately, the Reactor Supervisor had to be absent during the latter part of the recent NRC inspection. Examinations were set in .

1982 and were in a special file . labelled "Requal exams, 1982" rather than in individual operator files. Substitute personnel were not able

.to locate this' file for the inspector. We regret this

. misunderstanding. ' The exams are available for inspection at any time.

Two SRO's were thus examined.

As far. as ~ the 1984 exam is concerned, no written test was administered to the single SRO ( other than the Reactor Supervisor )

that year. As explained by her during the inspector's visit, since she

~'

had been performing essentially all the operation, had assisted with

' instruction in the class on reactor operations, the Reactor Supervisor had. concluded that it would be redundant to set her a formal examination. The inspector has reminded us that this is not permitted' under the conditions of the requalification program established by NRC. The facility is now aware that such exemptions are not permitted except for the one individual (SRO) who writes and grades the examination. It was pointed out by us, and by severtl other similar University facilities at the time, that if requalification programs were imposed by NRC, this would result in difficu.lties and inconsistencies at facilities with very small operating staffs who are

i. in daily intimate contact with all reactor operations.

[ In the future,. examinations will be given as required. The facility will note on regular checklists the dates that such

. examinations become due, as a erminder system. The question of current compliance does not arise, as currently only one operator is l licensed at this facility ( the Reactor Supervisor ). Before L relicensing of our former SRO is attempted, she will complete a formal written examination as required by the requalification program.

We hope that these responses are satisfactory and that NRC can conclude that we are continuing to operate our reactor facility with proper regard for the health and safety of the public. We will be pleased to provide any further information you may require.

1 Sincerely, k -

W.J. Lillyman The Vice Chancellor cc: Professor V.P.Guinn, Chair, Reactor Operations Committee-a