ML20149H454

Forwards Insp Rept 70-1257/94-06 on 940926-30 & 1012-14 & Notice of Violation.Violation of Concern Because Approved Engineering Procedures Not Followed That Prevented Systematic Training of Operators

ML20149H454
Person / Time
Site:	Framatome ANP Richland
Issue date:	11/18/1994
From:	Collins S NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV)
To:	Femreite B SIEMENS CORP.
Shared Package
ML20149H456	List: ML20149H454 ML20149H458 ML20149H477
References
NUDOCS 9411220207
Download: ML20149H454 (3)

Text

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611 RYAN PLAZA DRIVE, SUITE 400 5,

AR LINGTON, T EXAS 76011-8064 NOV 1 0 19M Docket:

70-1257 License:

SNM-1227 Siemens Power Corporation ATTN:

B. N. Femreite, Plant Manager 2101 Horn Rapids Road P.O. Box 130 Richland, Washington 99352-0130 SUBJEC1:

NRC INSPECTION REPORT 70-1257/94-06 (NOTICE OF VIOLATION)

This refers to the special inspection conducted by Mr. C. A. Hooker on September 26-30 and Messrs. C. A. Hooker and F. A. Wenslawski of this office on October 12-14, 1994. The inspection included a review of activities authorized for your Siemens Power Corporation facility.

At the conclusion of the inspection, the findings were discussed with you and those members of your staff identified in the enclosed report.

Areas examined during the inspection are identified in the report.

The inspection was coriducted to review the circumstances surrounding an event on September 18, 1994, involving a spill of low-enriched uranium powder from the Line 2 powder preparation system.

The inspection consisted of selective examinations of procedures and representative records, interviews with personnel, and observation of activities in progress.

The purpose of the inspection was to determine whether activities were conducted as authorized by the license and in accordance with NRC requirements.

Based on the results of this inspection, certain licensed activities appeared to be in violation of NRC requirements, as specified in the enclosed Notice of Violation (Notice). The violations are of concern because:

(1) approved engineering procedures were not followed which prevented systematic training of operators on a modification made to prevent the very spill that occurred on September 18,1994, and (2) operators f ailed to follow procedures developed to ensure equipment would be adequately secured during operation.

You are required to respond to this letter and should follow the instructions specified in the enclosed Notice when preparing your response.

In your response, you should document the specific actions taken and any additional actions you plan to prevent recurrence. After reviewing your response to this Notice, including your proposed corrective actions and the results of future inspections, the NRC will determine whether further NRC enforcement action is necessary to ensure compliance with NRC regulatory requirements.

NRC recognizes that over the past one to two years Siemens Power Corporation has made a number of programmatic improvements in the areas of criticality saf ety analyses, radioactive waste management, operator training and 9411220207 94111e PDR ADOCK 07001257 ff s

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l Siemens Power Corporation N01/ 10 1994 qualification and engineering control.

Nevertheless, our review of the September 18th powder spill event indicates certain areas where further improvement is warranted. We noted similarities between this powder spill and the one on February 7, 1993, caused by taping of a limit switch.

Both of these events illustrated operator confusion over system status which ultimately was rooted in poor judgement and less than rigorous procedural adherence by engineering staff. Also, both events involved a lack of communication and system status awareness by operators and shift supervisors.

Further, we have concluded from our review of your investigation report that the quality of effort in this investigation was less than previous reports.

Finally, we share the concern identified in your investigation that operators in training may not be receiving adequate oversight during shift operations.

In addition to your specific reply to the violations identified in the Notice, we also request that you provide your views on the above issues.

Following our receipt of your response to this letter, a meeting will be scheduled to discuss the content and status of program improvements.

In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRC's " Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter and its enclosures will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room.

The responses directed by this letter and the enclosed Notice are not subject to the clearance procedures of the Office of Management and Budget as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, Pub. L. No. 96.511.

Should you have any questions concerning this inspection, we will be pleased to discuss them with you.

Sincerely, M'

Samuel J. Collins, Director Division of Radiation Safety and Safeguards

Enclosures:

1.

Appendix A - Notice of Violation 2.

Appendix B - NRC Inspection Report 70-1257/94-06 cc w/ enclosures:

Siemens Power Corporation ATTN:

L. J. Maas, Manager Regulatory Compliance 2101 Horn Rapids Road P.O. Box 130 Richland, Washington 99352-0130 State of Washington

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