ML20127F909

Documents 820317 Contact W/R Vandenbosch Re Ee Kent Allegations Concerning Weld Deficiencies at Plant.Past Problems W/Welding Program Identified & Corrected. Vandenbosch Confident in Present Program

ML20127F909
Person / Time
Site:	Midland, 05000000
Issue date:	03/22/1982
From:	Foster J NRC OFFICE OF INVESTIGATIONS (OI)
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INVESTIGATIONS (OI)
Shared Package
ML20127F538	List: IR 05000329/1982012 ML20127F534 ML20127F631 ML20127F657 ML20127F764 ML20127F798 ML20127F821 ML20127F842 ML20127F881 ML20127F909 ML20127F928 ML20127F941 ML20127F970 ML20127F995 ML20127G034
References
FOIA-85-213 NUDOCS 8506250288
Download: ML20127F909 (3)

Text

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Do NOT DISCLOSE Contatu identity of confidential source

. g 9413 50-g 22. N MENDRANDtM FOR: Region III Files -

FROM: James E. Poster, Investigator gITBJECI: CONTACT WITil RICHARD VANDENBOSCH RE WELDING AT MIDLAND DOCKET No. 50-329 1 contacted Mr. Richard ("Du'tch") Vandenbosch at approximately 9:10 p.m.

on March 17, 1982. He indicated that he is a member of a technical welding group at Midland whose function is to perform surveillance inspec-tions, NDE, and review nonconformance dispositions for adequacy. The group also functions to supply any needed expertise regarding welding.

Vandenbosch indicated he was aware that E. Earl Kant had recently made allegations regarding welding at Midland, and that Region III personnel had inspected soms welds alleged to be deficient. He indicated he and Kent had performed surveillance inspections of the welds in question.

He stated that he and Kent selected some welds recently inspected for a

, surveillance review. The weld size had been measured with a " rounded

! 16the gauge" and this made some of the welds appear undersised. Vandenbosch

! stated that some of the weld sizes were within what he characterised as a " judgement area" where an inspector could have justifiably judged the weld either acceptable or unacceptable. He felt that the welds accepted did meet Code minimums.

I inquired regarding the sample of eight socket welds he s'd a Kent had reportedly inspected. Vandenbosch stated that in the particular instance, all eight had been found to be undersised. However, he had checked the weld documentation and found that they were included in a generic noncon-formance report regarding undersised welds, but had not yet been re-worked.

He indicated that he had informed Kent of this information, and had provided the nonconformance report nunber to Kent.

We discussed the main steam line weld Kent had mentioned. Vandenbosch and Eent had inspected the weld in question, and had some concern regarding the

" transition area". Bowever, the weld did appear to meet all Code require-monts "well within the acceptable range".

We discussed the finding that QC inspector Horris had performed some inade-spsate inspections in the past. Vandenbosch indicated this was correct, and that all of the welds Morris had inspected had been re-inspected and some deficiencies identified. All of the re-inspections had been documented, he said, and nonconformance reports would be generated for those problems identified.

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f EIS File No. 8212 Region III Files Mt 22.1982 h As I inquired if he had any concerns over the welding program at Midland that Region III should look into, and he responded that he felt there had been some problems in the past (three or four years ago), but the problems had been identified and corrected'. He expressed confidence in the present welding program.

James E. Foster

, Investigator cc: Robert F. Warnick Duane Deniaison R. Cook K. Ward W. Paton, ELD J

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Neonu sum ancu sse OFFICIAL RECORD COPY.__ _ _ _ _ _ _ . _ _ uso m as s mo _

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, a ROUTING AND TRANSMITTAL SUP g // C b (Name. ofRee symbol, room number, initials Date -

bulMsng. Agency /hst)

3. _ KAVIN WARD

2. DUANE IIANIELSON

3. _ CORDELL WILLIAMS

4. _ WILLIAM KE 5 ROBERT WARNICK

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. YMn File Note and Retum For Clearance Per Conversation

, , JApproval As Requested For Correction Prepare Reply Circulat5 IFor Your Information See Me

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fComment lavestigate Signature TWinetton Justify it.mARxs .

Mr. E. Earl Kent, former welding inspecfor trainee at, the Midt, and facility, will.be visiting t the RIII officg tomorrow (8/12/82) at , ~

approximately 10:00 a.m.. He wishes to' discuss his concerns relative to welding at the Midland plant. I want to have him detail his concerns in couplete detail, and then have some discussion -

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( as to our previous review of his concerns, and I

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possibly discussions if some of his points'are not clear or technically correct.

I t.entatively plan to have the session tape recorded, and would appreciate the participation of any of those on the above list, other duties permitting.

l 90 NOT use this form as a RECORD of approvels, concurrences, disposals, clearances, and similar actions l

FROM: , org. sym e ) Room No.--Sidg.

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' 4-ames . o er, Acting D rector, " U**

01 Chicago Field Office 2668 a.se . OPTIONAL FORM 41 (Rev. 7-76)

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