ML20199E228
| ML20199E228 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Big Rock Point File:Consumers Energy icon.png |
| Issue date: | 11/15/1997 |
| From: | Grobe J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| To: | Powers K CONSUMERS ENERGY CO. (FORMERLY CONSUMERS POWER CO.) |
| References | |
| 50-155-97-11, NUDOCS 9711210128 | |
| Download: ML20199E228 (2) | |
See also: IR 05000155/1997011
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November 15, 1997
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Mr. K. P. Powers
Plant General Manager
Big Rock Point Nuclear Plant
Consumers Energy Company
10269 US 31 North
Charlevoix, MI 49720
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SUBJECT:
NOTICE OF VIOLATION (NRC INSPECTION REPORT 50155/97011(DRS))
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Dear Mr. Powers:
This will acknowledge receipt of your letter dated October 24,1997, in response to our
- letter dated October 6,1997, transmitting a Notice of Violation associated with a maintenance
worker's failure to follow plant radiation protection procedures. We have reviewed your
corrective actlNs and have no further questions at this time. These corrective actions will be
examined during future inspections.
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Sincerely,
Original Signed by John A. Grobe
John A. Grobe, Director
Division of Reactor Safety
Docket No. 50-155
License No, DPR-6
Enclosure:
Lir 10/24/97 J. S. Rang
Consumers Energy to US NRC
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cc w/o encl: R. A. Fenech, Senior Vice President,
Nuclear, Fossil, and Hydro Operations
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James R. Padgett, Michigan Public
Service Commission
ec w/ encl: -
Michigan Department of Pubil:: Health -
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Department of Attorney General (MI)-
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DOCUMENT NAME: G:DRS\\BRP11157.DRS
to receive a copy of this document indicate in 14 box: 'C's Copy w/o attrond *E's Copy w/att/ encl *N' = No copy
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K. P. Powers
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November 15, 1997
DJstribution:
Docket File w/o encl
Hill PRR w/enci
PUBLIC IE 01 w/enci
LPM, NRR w/enci
OCFO/LFARB w/enct
A. B. Beach, Rlll w/enci
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J. L. Caldwell, Rlli w/ encl
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October 24, 1997
Nuclear Regulatory Conrnission
Document Control Desk
20555 0001
DOCKET 50155
LICENSE DPR 6
BIG ROCK POINT PLANT
REPLY TO A NOTICE OF
VI0lATION
NRC INSPECTION REPORT 97011,
During a routine NRC inspection conducted from September 2.1997, through
September 5,1997, one violation of NRC requirements was identified and
forwarded by letter dated October 6,1997.
The violation concerns a maintenance worker that laid dcwn for several minutes
in a contaminated, low dose area while waiting to participate in reactor head
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de tensioning operations. Even though his behavior was inaapropriate, the
contamination levels were low, and he did not contaminate 11mself.
Consumers Energy Company agrees with the violation as stated.
Pursuant to the direction provided in the report, find attached a Reply to the
Notice of Violation. The proposed corrective action: are intended to address
the concerns expressed by the NRC Inspectors, and to prevent recurrence of
similar incidents.
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lames S Rang
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g 3usiness and Licens q anager
CC: Administrator, Region 111. USNRC
NRC Resident inspector
Big Rock Point
NRR Project Manager
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ATTACINENT-
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ATTACHMENT
CONSUMERS ENERGY COMPN 1Y
BIG ROCK POINT PLANT
DOCKET 50 155
REPLY TO A NOTICE OF VIOLATION
INSPECTION REPORT 97011
Sutnitted October 24, 1997
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2 Pages
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RLk Y TO A N011CL Of V10LA110N - NRC INSfECTION REPOR1 97011
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1riolation 97011 01
As a result of an inspectton conducted Septeaber 2-5. 1997, a violation of NRC
requirtments was identified.
In accordance with the * General Statment of
Po1 icy and Procedure for NRC Enforcement Act1ons. * NUREG-1600, the violatton
is listed below:
Technical Specificalion 6.11 requires, in part. that procedures for
personnel radiction protection shall be adhered to for all operations
involving personnel radiat ton oposure.
Step 10 of Attachment 1, * Individual Responsibilities for Proper
Radfation Protectlon.* of Adninistrative Procedure 5.5. *Radiatton Work
Pennit. * (Revision 12).
In:tructs sorkers to not unnecessarily contact
contaminated surfaces with their bodies, tools or equipment, and to not
disturb such surfaces, which could spread contamination or create
airborne radioactivity.
Contrary to the above on Septmber 2.1997, a maintenance worke
preparing to participate in reactor head detensioning operations laid
down in a contaminated area for several minutes while waiting for other
workers to cmplete a task.
This is a Severity Level IV violation (Supplement IV).
Consumers Energy Company agrees to the violation as stated.
I. 8cason for the violation.
The reactor head detensioning and removing operation involves a coordinated
effort by those working the job. Due to the nature of the job, workers will
experience periods of inactivity while waiting to perform their job
responsibilities. In some cases, it is difficult to determine the length of
time between these periods; however the worker is expected to remain close et
hand (by waiting in a low dose rate area) so that delays can be minimized. In
this worker's case, he was fully dressed out in anti contamination clothing
and was waiting in a low dose area for less than 10 minutes for other workers
to complete their assigned task. No chairs or bench'es had been provided for
worker: in the low dese waiting area. When faced with this situation in the
past, workers took it upon themselves to deter-
what worked best in a
particular situation. Depending on the indiv-
, and the length of the jcb.
laying down or reclining against a wall in a . .w dose rate area was determined
to be an option in lieu of no chairs or benches. Radiation Protection
Technicians. Maintenance Supervisors, and Plant Management accepted the
practice since it did not lead to an increased incidence of personnel
contaminations. Management failed to establish the appropriate radiation
protection culture. This practice can pose an unnecessary risk to the workers.
and will not be tolerated at the station in the future.
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RCPLY 10 A NOTICE Of V10LA110N
NRC INSPEC110N REPORT 97011
11. The correct 1ve stens that have been tden and the results achieved.
The worker involved was counseled on appropriate beht 'or within a
contaminated area. The work crews were also briefed on this situation.
Management also directed that if long delays are anticipated, seating area 4n
the low do ,e waiting area would need to be nrovidad. or leaving the
contaminated area would be required. These expectations were reiterated during
the pre-job briefings for the remainder of the maintenance activity.
The Big Rock Point Nuclear Power Plant Policy was also revised to provide
direction for worker rest in contaminated areas, and now states the following:
When workers in contaminated areas require res' . the following items are to
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be considered:
- Waiting in a low dose area versus leaving the work are).
Providing appropriate facilities for resting such as chairs or benches.
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- Avoiding contact with contaminated surfaces,
in addition facility employees were made aware of the policy change and
managements expectations that laying or leaning on contaminated surfaces is
not appropriate except in emergency circumstances.
111. The corrective stens that will be taken to avoid recurrence.
No further actions are required at this time. The corrective steps previously
discussed are intended to prevent recurrence.
IV. The date when the facility will be in full comoliance.
The facility is currently in full compliance.
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