IR 05000298/1997017

Insp Rept 50-298/97-17 on 971117-20.No Violations Noted. Major Areas Inspected:Licensed Operator Requalification Program Evaluation

ML20203D195
Person / Time
Site:	Cooper
Issue date:	12/10/1997
From:	Pellet J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV)
To:
Shared Package
ML20203D163	List: IR 05000298/1997017 ML20203D157
References
50-298-97-17, NUDOCS 9712160132
Download: ML20203D195 (11)

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ENCLOSURE

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U.Sf NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION REGION IV -

Docket No.: - 50 298-License No.: DPR-46 j Report No.:- 50 298/97 17 Licensee: Nebraska Public Power District -

Facility: Cooper Nuclear Station

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location: P.O. Box 98

. Brownville, Nebraska Dat, s: November 17 20,1997 ,

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lospectors:- _ Tem Meadows, Senior Reactor Engineer

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Mike Murphy, Senior Reactor Engineer

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Approved By: John Pellet, Chief, Operations Branch Division of Reactor. Safety ,

ATTACHMENT: Supplemental Information s

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9712160132 971210 ,

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EXECU_TIVE SUMMARY Cooper Nuclear Station NRC Inspection Report 50 298/97 17 .;

This inspection included a review of the licensed operator requalification program following the

. guidelines in Inspection Procedure 71001, " Licensed Operator Requalification Program Evaluation." The inspection covered the period of November 17-20,199 Ooerations e 'The licensed operator requalification program had improved implementation of a l

' systems approach to training since the last inspection in this area (50 298/9616). l

--Examination security implementation was a noted strength (Section 05.4).

e The control room staff exhibited improved professionalism and good awareness of -

work in progress (Section 01.1). )

e Operators exhibited good knowledge and ability in all aspects of the requalification exeminations. Three way communications, peer checking, and procedural usage were noted strengths. Crew direction anu oversight were effective. The -

observed performance was an improvement since ti.e last inspection in this area )

(50 298/9616)(Section 04.1) .  !

• The ncility examiners administered and evaluated the requalification examinations  !

profe asionally. Operations management involvement in the observation and evah ation of dynamic simulator scenarios was a noted strength. The inspectors i conc arred with the f acility evaluations (Section 05.1).

• The annual operating examinations were cornprehensive and discriminated at the appropriate level (Section 05.3).

Maintenance o The material condition of the f acility was generally gooo with the exception of the Emergency Diesel Generator 2. Numerous oilleaks and spills in and around the diesel were brought to the licensee's attention by the inspectors after several

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licensee staff in the area failed to do so (Section M2),

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I Report Details Summary of Plant Status The f acility was at 100 percent power for the duration of the inspection, and all observations were conducted during the day shift, coincident with conduct of the walkthrough examinations, kDAttA11ons 01 Conduct of Operations 01.1 Gcantal Observations succtior) Stone During the in plant task walkthrough section of the examinations, the examiners observed operators during routine operations of the facility, b, Qbservations and Findinas The shif t crews exhibited professional demeanor and the senior operators maintained a position of crew direction and oversight. The inspectors observed that shift operators were professional and aware of current plant evolutions and work in progress, such as the emerging rephirs on the reactor core isolation cooling syste The inspectors observed that work control tasks were removed from the control roorn to another location. This resulted in a much quieter and profsssional control room environment than had been observed during the last NRC requahf; cation program inspection f 50 298/9616), Conclusions The control room staff exhibited irnproved professionalism and good awareness of work in progres . . . . - -

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04 Operator Knowledge and Performance 04.1 Opetotor PerformaDCe on AnnuaWenualification Examinations lD5Ecction ScopeR10Q11 The inspectors observed the perforniance of one shift crew during annual operating test Observations and Findinas The crew in the dyriamic simulator part of the test consisted of three reactor operators, two senior operators, and one shif t technical engineer in two scenario Each licensed operator was administered five job performance measures for the plant system portion of the operating test. The inspectors observed the licensee staff administer the dynamic simulator scenarios and some job performance measures. The inspectors observed generally good examinee performance during the scenarios and job performsnce measure sections of the operating tes During the dynamic simulator and job performance measure portions of the examination, the inspectors observed that operator performance had improved from previous years. During scenarios involving station blackout and loss of all cooling events, the crew exhibited good teamwork, peer checking, communications skills, and plant system knowledge. This professionalism was consistent with what the inspectors observed in the plant control room and was consistent with management expectation Improved three legged communications, procedure usage, and peer checks were noted strengths. The operators adopted three way comrnunications as an expected practice. The inspectors obterved consistent use of this method among control room operators, as well as, with other technicians or management outside of the control room. This was also consistent with management expectation The inspectcts observed consistent and appropriate use of alarm response procedures, abnormal operating procedures, and the emergency operating procedures, CDnclusions

- Operators exhibited good knowledge and ability in all aspects of the requalification examinations, lhree-way communications, peer checking, and procedural usage were noted strengths. Crew direction and oversight were effective. The observed performance was an improvement since the last requalification program inspection (50-298/96-16). A i l-

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5-05 Operator Training and Qualification 05.1 llenushfication Examination AdministratiOD lasoection SCQoe D1001)

The inspectors observed the administrat%n of all aspects of the requalification examination to determine the evaluators' ability to administer an examination and assess adequate performance through measurable criteria. The inspectors conducted intervisws to determine the knowledge level of the managers, supervisors, and instructors with regard to the requalification program implementation. The inspectors also observed the fidelity of the plant simulator to support training and examination administratio Observations and Findinas Five training staff evaluators and one operations management evaluator were observed administering the examinations, including preexamination briefings, observations of operator performance, and techniques for job performance measure ,

cuing. The oveluators conducted the examinations professionally, with no  ;

inadvertent cuing, and were thorough in their documentation of observed weaknesses and areas for improvement. The inspectors also noted that the timing of tl.a malfunctions during the dynamic simulator evaluations enabled evaluation of senior operator competencies, such as crew direction and oversight, and ability to prioritize and integrate plant status. The licensee's examiners displayed good evaluative techniques in the administration of both the simulator and walkthrough ,

examination The inspectors observed the post scenario crew evaluation process. The evaluations were led by the designated lead exarniner, with the operations manager participating in the evaluation. Each of the examiners participated in discussions of event observations, and s9engths and weaknesses observed. The operations manager i provided immediate operations feedback for expectations, as well as an independent observation of crew actions. The inspectors noted that continued involvement of an operations department representative in examination observations and evaluations was a significant strength of the training program, and that operations evaluation involvement was a requirement of the licensed operator training program. The inspectors obsc<ved that the licensee's examiners were very efficient, which

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minimited ths time necessary to provide performance feedback to the operator This minimited operator stress during the evaluation perio The evaluators passed all of the operetors on all portions of the examinations. The '

inspectors concurred with the f acility evaluations. The inspectors noted that the plant simulator fidehty supported the examinations and no fidelity issues were ;

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6- < Conclusions The facility examiners administered and evaluated the requalification examinations professionally. Operations management continued involvement in the observation and evaluation of dynamic simulator scenarios was a noted strength. The inspectors concurred with the f acility evaluation .3 Reaunlification Annual Ooeratina Test inspretion Scoce 1710011 The inspectors reviewed the annual operating test administered or< November 1718, 1997. The inspectors also reviewed the licensee's administrative procedures for developing, administering, grading, and evaluating the examinations and conducted interviews with training management, instructors, evaluators, and examinees, b, Observations ond Findinas The licensee's training staff indicated that the guidelines of NUREG 1021 were substantially utilized for the development and administration of the licensed operator requalification examination, in addition to the f acility requalification training procedures. The licensee supplemented the guidance of NUREG 1021 with training instructions for the development, control, and administration of licensed operator requalification examinations and quizzes,2 year training plan development, makeup training, and remediation guidelines. The licensee's procedures were comprehensiv The job performance measures were in accordance with the guidance of NUREG 1021, contained performance standards that were clear and oojective, and the critical task acceptance criteria were well defined and measurable. The scenarios were also developed using 'he guidance of NUREG 1021 and contained clearly stated objectives. The initial conditions of the scenarios were realistic and the scenarios consisted of related events. The inspectors determined that the dynamic simulator scenarios used during the requalification examination were adequately challenging and provided a good evaluative tool for operator competencies, Conclusions The annual operating examinations were comprehensive and discriminated at the appropriate leve ._

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-7-05.4 Bty.inv of Recualification Prooram Guidance

- htgection Scope (710011 The inspection determined the effectiveness of the methodology used to develop and construct the requalification examinations and to assess the effectiveness of the examinations to identify retraining needs and measure the examines' subject knowledge. This evaluation included a limited review of the feedback tracking system and remedial training program, Observatig.ns and Findinos Thc inspectors reviewed the requalification nrogram guidance and verified that it met and irnplemented the requirements of 10 CFR 55.59, "Requalification."

The inspectors noted that the licensee's program guidance contained speci'ic guidance for program feedback, development and secunty of examinations, operations management involvement, post examination activities, removal from shif t for f ailures of exarninations, and remedial training of individuals. The remedial programs focused on identified weaknesses and adequately rotested the operators prior to returning them to licensed duties. The inspectors noted a program strength in that examination security awareness was pervasive throughout the progra Security measures were well documented and implemented. The inspectors noted that the licensee's staff and participating operators were very security consciou Conclungns The licensed operator requalification program had improved implementation of a systems approach to training since the last inspection in this area (50 298/9616).

li p%at'nl M ct rity implerre itatio 1 wv e roteri strengt . Maintenan M2 Maintenance and Material Condition of Facilities and Equipment Stone (62707)

During the obselvations of the walkthrough examinations, the inspectors evaluated the material condition of plant systems, Qhservations The majority of.the plant systems observed by the inspectors were in good material condition with exception of the Emergency Diesel Generator 2. The inspectors observed oil soills underneath and around the diesel. An approximately one gallon

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-8 oilleak was also observed on the crank case ventilation piping. Furthermore, the inspectors observed that the green open light on the local diesel generator output breaker controller was not illuminated. The inspectors also noted that the licensee staff in the area did not identify these discrepancies. The inspectors informed the control room crow and plant management of these discrepancies, which were immediately corrected by the licensee. The inspectors expressed concern with respect to the apparent low level of sensitivity of licenseo staff to notice and cominunicate material condition problems as they tour the plant. Licenseo management acknowledged this concern and indicated a need to enhance staff awareness and reporting of material condition of the plant, Conclusion The material condition of the f acility was generally good with the exception of the Emergency Diesel Generator 2. The inspectors expressed concern about apparent low level of sensitivity of licenseo staff to notice and communicate material condition problems as they toured the plan (LElanLSupuott F8 Miscellaneous Fire Protection issues F 8.1 GunciaLComments The inspectors observed general plant housekeeping incident to administration of the in plant job performance section of the operating test. The facility was reasonably clean and welllighted and the floors were clear and free from debri _V. ManagementEaetings Xl Emt Nie6tQ ":.:mmary The inspectors presented the inspection results to members of the licensee management and staff at the conclusion of the inspectiors on November 20,199 The licensee acknowledged the findings presente The licensee did not identify as proprietary any information or materials examined during the inspectio !

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ATTACHMENT a l

i SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION i l

PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED-LicanteA R. Creason, Senior Operations Training Speciahst J. Dills, Operations Training instructor 1 K. McCall, Operations Training Supervisor l*

L Newman, Operat * cs Manager .

D. Olesen, Licensed Operator Training Lead Instructor -

i D. Vandercamp, Operations Superintendent i

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M. Miller, Senior Resident inspector B. Murray, Chief, Plant Support Branch  ;

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LIST OF INSPECTION PROCEDURES USED  !

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IP 71001 Licensed Operator Requalification Program Evaluation

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DOCUMENTS REVIEWED Procedures Reviewed NTG 317, "Shif t Crew Training Assessment, Revision 3

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NTP 6.2, " Evaluation of Program Effectiveness," Revision 0  ;

NTG 308, " Training impact," Revision 04.00  :

NTG 328, " Operations Industry Events," Revision 01.00 NTP 1.1, " Training Work Reauest," Revision 0

- SKLO12-06-01, " Simulator Discrepancies and Design Changes," Lesson Plan NTP 4,2, " Test item and Examination Development," Revision 0 CNS Operations Directive 2, "CNS Communication," Revision 12 NTG 306, " Annual Licensed Operator.Walkthrough Examination," Revision NTG 314, " Simulator Examination Security Preparation, Administration," Revision 1 t

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2-NTG 323, " Development of Licensed Operator Requalification Evaluation Scenarios,"

Revision NTC 315, * Licensed Personnel Requalification Training," Revision 20 7 NTP 5.3, " Student Remediation" Revision 0 NTG 317, "Shif t Crew Training Assessment" ,

NTP 08, * Instructor Qualifications," Revision 0 NTP 15, " Administration of Licensed Operator Medical Examination Program,"

Revision 05.00 NTD 7, * Licensed Operator Active / Inactive Status Maintenance Program," Revision 2 NTG 319, " Development of Non Faulted JPMs," Revision 02.02, NTG 320, " Operations Department Examinations Security," Revision 0 NTG 329, "Requalification Scenarios" Revision 1 NTG 330, "EP Simulator Scenario Development," Revision 0, NTG 331, "JPM Exam Administration," Revision 00.02 NTG 336, " Sample Plan," Revision 0 RPP 336, " Respiratory Protection Program," Revision 0 RPP 9.1.5.1, "Self Coatained Breathing Apparatus," Revision 6 RPP 9.1.5.2," Respirator Fit Test Program," Revision . . . . . __ ., - -

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