ML20216C131

Forwards RP Insp Rept 50-263/98-03 on 980209-13 & Nov. NRC Concerned About Violation Re Personnel Contamination Event at Plant on 971028.Corrective Actions Did Not Appear to Fully Address Root Cause of Incident

ML20216C131
Person / Time
Site:	Monticello
Issue date:	03/06/1998
From:	Grobe J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:	Wadley M NORTHERN STATES POWER CO.
Shared Package
ML20216C136	List: ML20216C131 ML20216C152 ML20216C167
References
50-263-98-03, 50-263-98-3, NUDOCS 9803130296
Download: ML20216C131 (3)

See also: IR 05000263/1998003

Text

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M:rch 6, 1998

,o ,

Mr. M. D. Wadley

Vice President, Nuclear Generation

Northern States Power Company

414 Nicollet Mall

Minneapolis, MN 55401

SUBJECT: NRC RADIATION PROTECTION INSPECTION REPORT 50-263/98003(DRS)

Dear Mr. Wadley: l

I

On February 13,1998, the NRC completed an inspection at your Monticello Nuclear Generating j

Plant. The purpose of the inspection was to review the plant's processing, storage, packaging,

and transportation of radioactive waste, specifically with regard to recent changes made to NRC

and Department of Transportation regulations in these areas. In addition, the inspection

addressed a recent event involving the contamination of a plant worker with radioactive resin,

an operability concem with your discharge canal radiation monitor sample pump, and general

plant radiological controls. The enclosed report presents the results of that inspectior

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Areas examined during tM inspection are identified in the report. Within these areas, the I

inspection consisted of selective examinations of procedures and representative records, I

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interviews with personnel, and observations of activities in progress.

Wo found that your solid radioactive waste management and transportation programs were

well-implemented. Processing and storage of radioactive wastes were carried out in

accordance with NRC regulations and plant procedures In addition, radioactive waste

shipments wore properly classified, packaDed, shipped, and documented. Program procedures

were clear, and the staff training and qualification program for this ar i was effective in

preparing plant employees to accomplish their arsigned tasks successfully. Finally, recent

changes in NRC and Department of Transportation regulations telating to radioactive material

classification and shipment had been fully and effectively implemented into the radioactive

waste program.

However, we are concerned about one violation of NRC requirements related to a personnel

contamination event at your plant on October 28,1997. Although system records and diagrams

indicated that the system was potentially contaminated, plant personnel failed to perform an

adequate radiological evaluation of the calibration cf a radioactive waste system pressure

gauge. Your staff implemented prompt corrective actions; however, we identified that these

corrective actions were not comprehensive. These corrective actions did not appear to fully

address the root cause of the incident and did not address issues concerning the operability of /[

the pressure instrumentation.

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[ 9803130296 900306

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PDR ADOCK 05000263

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i M. Wadley 2 March 6, 199d

in accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRC's " Rules and Practice," a copy of this letter and its

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enclosures and your response will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room (PDR).

We will gladly discuss any questions you have conceming this inspection.

Sincerely,

l

original signed by H. O. Christensen

John A. Grobe, Director

Division of Reactor Safety

Docket No. 50-263

,

License No. DPR-22

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l Enclosures: 1. Notice of Violation

2. Inspection Report 50-263/98003(DRS)

cc w/encis: Plant Manager, Monticello

State Liaison Officer, State

of Minnesota

Distribution:

Docket File w/enets Rlli PRR w/encls

l PUBLIC IE-01 w/encls Project Manager, NRR w/encls

SRI Monticello w/encls Rlli Enf. Coordinator w/encls

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A. B. Beach w/encls IEO w/encls (E-mail)

l Deputy RA w/encls DRS (2) w/encls

! TSS w/encls DOCDESK (E-mail)

DRP w/encls GREENS

DOCUMENT NAME: G:DRS\ MON 98003.DRS (SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCES)

v. e.w. . em or secoci % ina.i. in tei. e..: c cm m .n-.ncio ,. r cm.im n.=vonem,. v No em

OFFICE Rill l Rlli Rlli Rlli L_ l9

NAME WWest:jp + GShear-Y JMcCormick-B W JGrobe W% '

DATE 03/ /98 03/ /98 03/ /98 03/[J98

OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

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! M. 'Nadley 2 March 6, 1998

In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRC's " Rules and Practice," a copy of this letter and its

enclosures will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room (PDR).

t

We will gladly discuss any questions you have concerning this inspection. )

Sincerely,

John A. Grobe, Director )

Division of Reactor Safety l

Docket No. 50-263

License No. DPR-22

Enclosures: 1. Notice of Violation

2. Inspection Report 50-263/98003(DRS)

cc w/ enc's: Plant Manager, Monticello  ;

State Liaison Officer, State '

'

of Minnesota

Distribution:

Docket File w/encls Rill PRR w!encls

PUBLIC IE-01 w/encls Project Manager, NRR w/encis

SRI Monticello w/encls Rlli Enf. Coordinator w/encls

A. B. Beach w/encts IEO w/encls (E-mail)

Deputy RA w/encls DRS (2) w/encls

TSS w/encls DOCDESK (E-mail)

DRP w/encls GREENS

DOCUMENT NAME: G:DRS\ MON 98003.DRS

To recette a copy of tNs document, Indicate in the bes: *C* e Copy Wfhout attachment / enclosure T s Copy wth attachment / enclosure *N' r No copy

OFFICE Rlli l6 Rlli _

l6 Rill lc Rlli l

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NAME WWest:jp S(5f,v GShear Gib JMcCormick-Bp4Lk JGrobe

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DATE 03/4/98 03/4//98 03/f/98 03/ /98

OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

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