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ACCELERATED DISTRIBUTION DEMONSTRATION SYSTEM REGULATORY INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM (RIDS) I CESSION NBR:9405110067 DOC.DATE: 94/05/02 NOTARIZED: NO DOCKET FACIL:50-275 Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Unit 1, Pacific Ga 05000275 50-323 Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Unit 2, Pacific Ga 05000323 AUTH. NAME AUTHOR AFFILIATION RUEGER,G.M. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. RECIP.NAME RECIPIENT AFFILIATION Document Control Branch (Document Control Desk) SUBJECT: Responds to NRC 940401 ltr re violations noted in insp repts 50-275/94-04 & 50-323/94-04.Corrective actions: procedure E-1 enhanced to specify alpha efficiency methodology to be used & E-10 enhanced re yttrium precipitation methodology. DISTRIBUTION CODE: IE01D COPIES RECEIVED:LTR 3 ENCL L SIZE: / TITLE: General (50 Dkt)-Insp Rept/Notice of. Vi&o ation Response NOTES R D RECIPIENT ID CODE/NAME PDIV-3 PD INTERNAL: ACRS AEOD/DSP/ROAB AEOD/TTC NRR/DORS/OEAB NRR/DRI L/RPEB NRR/PMAS/I LPB1 NUDOCS-ABSTRACT OGC/HDS1 RES/HFB EXTERNAL: EG&G/BRYCE,J.H. NSIC COPIES LTTR ENCL 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 RECIPIENT ID CODE/NAME MILLER,M AEOD/DEIB AEOD/DSP/TPAB DEDRO NRR/DRCH/HHFB NRR/DRSS/PEPB NRR/PMAS/ILPB2 REG FILE 02 N'LE 01 NRC PDR COPIES LTTR ENCL 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 l. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 D D D NOTE TO ALL "RIDS" RECIPIENTS: PLEASE HELP US TO REDUCE O'ASTE! CONTACT THE DOCUMENT CONTROL DESK, ROOM Pl-37 (EXT. 20079) TO ELIMINATEYOUR NAME FROM DISTRIBUTION LISTS FOR DOCUMENTS YOU DON'T NEED! TOTAL NUMBER OF COPIES REQUIRED: LTTR 24 ENCL 24 D D

Transcript of Responds to NRC 940401 ltr re violations noted in insp ... · maximum of 13,600 counts. C. In...

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ACCELERATED DISTRIBUTION DEMONSTRATION SYSTEM

REGULATORY INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM (RIDS)I CESSION NBR:9405110067 DOC.DATE: 94/05/02 NOTARIZED: NO DOCKET

FACIL:50-275 Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Unit 1, Pacific Ga 0500027550-323 Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Unit 2, Pacific Ga 05000323

AUTH.NAME AUTHOR AFFILIATIONRUEGER,G.M. Pacific Gas & Electric Co.

RECIP.NAME RECIPIENT AFFILIATIONDocument Control Branch (Document Control Desk)

SUBJECT: Responds to NRC 940401 ltr re violations noted in insp repts50-275/94-04 & 50-323/94-04.Corrective actions: procedure E-1enhanced to specify alpha efficiency methodology to be used& E-10 enhanced re yttrium precipitation methodology.

DISTRIBUTION CODE: IE01D COPIES RECEIVED:LTR 3 ENCL L SIZE: /TITLE: General (50 Dkt)-Insp Rept/Notice of. Vi&o ation Response

NOTES

R

D

RECIPIENTID CODE/NAME

PDIV-3 PD

INTERNAL: ACRSAEOD/DSP/ROABAEOD/TTCNRR/DORS/OEABNRR/DRIL/RPEBNRR/PMAS/ILPB1NUDOCS-ABSTRACTOGC/HDS1RES/HFB

EXTERNAL: EG&G/BRYCE,J.H.NSIC

COPIESLTTR ENCL

1 1

2 21 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 1

1 11 1

RECIPIENTID CODE/NAME

MILLER,M

AEOD/DEIBAEOD/DSP/TPABDEDRONRR/DRCH/HHFBNRR/DRSS/PEPBNRR/PMAS/ILPB2

REG FILE 02N'LE 01

NRC PDR

COPIESLTTR ENCL

1 1

1 11 11 11 11 11 l.1 11 11 1

1 1

D

D

D

NOTE TO ALL"RIDS" RECIPIENTS:

PLEASE HELP US TO REDUCE O'ASTE! CONTACT THE DOCUMENT CONTROL DESK,

ROOM Pl-37 (EXT. 20079) TO ELIMINATEYOUR NAME FROM DISTRIBUTIONLISTS FOR DOCUMENTS YOU DON'T NEED!

TOTAL NUMBER OF COPIES REQUIRED: LTTR 24 ENCL 24

D

D

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Pacific Gas and Electric Company 77 Beale Streel

San Francisco, CA 94106415/973-4684

Gregory M. Rueger

Senior V>ce President and

General btanagerNuclear Power Generation

May 2, 1994

PGRE Letter DCL-94-093

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory CommissionATTN: Document Control DeskWashington, D.C. 20555

Docket No. 50-275, OL-DPR-80Docket No. 50-323, OL-DPR-82Diablo Canyon Units 1 and 2R I oN i fVi I i n n R s onse oCon msin NRC Ins ec ion Re o Nos. 50-275 94-04 and 50-323 94-04

Gentlemen:

NRC Inspection Report 50-275/94-04 and 50-323/94-04, dated April 1, 1994,contained a Notice of Violation (NOV) citing one Severity Level IV violationinvolving examples of failure to maintain and adhere to established procedures,as required by Technical Specification 6.8.1, for implementation of theRadiological Environmental Monitoring Program (REMP). PGSE's response tothe NOV is provided in Enclosure 1.

PG&E has reviewed and evaluated the Inspection Report findings. PGSE'sobjective is to have a high quality REMP. PGRE believes that the technicalquality and results of the work being performed by its Technical and EcologicalServices (TES) organization are excellent. However, PGRE understands that tomaintain a high quality program, procedures must be accurate and current andindividuals using them must understand the importance of following thoseprocedures. PGRE believes that the corrective actions being taken, asdiscussed in Enclosure 1, are responsive to the NOV and should resolve theNRC's concerns.

The Inspection Report also identified NRC concerns regarding implementationof the REMP and the effect of the PGRE 1993 reorganization on the REMP.PGSE's review of these concerns indicates that the 1993 PGRE reorganizationhas not adversely affected the quality of TES'mplementation of the REMP.However, PGSE agrees with the NRC that the interface between TES and the

9405110067 940502PDR ADOCK 050002779 , 'DR

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PG5.E Letter DCL-94-093 -2- May 2, 1994

Nuclear Power Generation Nuclear Quality Services (NQS) organization can beclarified, and that NQS audits of TES can be improved. Details on PGRE's reviewand response to these NRC concerns are provided in Enclosure 2.

Sincerely,AI

Gregory M. Rueger

cc: Leonard J. CallanMary H. MillerKenneth E, PerkinsSheri R. PetersonDiablo Distribution

Enclosure

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PGRE Letter DCL-94-093

ENCLOSURE 1

REPLY TO NOTICE OF VIOLATIONINNRC INSPECTION REPORT NOS. 50-275/94-04 AND 50-323/94-04

On April 1, 1994, as part of NRC Inspection Report Nos. 50-275/94-04 and50-323/94-04 (Inspection Report), NRC Region V issued a Notice of Violation citingone Severity Level IV violation for Diablo Canyon Power Plant, Units 1 and 2. Thestatement of violation and PG&E's response follow.

STATEMENT OF VIOLATION

During an NRC inspection conducted February 14-17, 22-25, and March 1, 1994,one violation of NRC requirements wasidentified. In accordance with the "GeneralStatement of Policy and Procedure for NRC Enforcement Actions, " 10 CFR Part 2,Appendix C, the violationis listed below:

A. Technical Specification 6.8. 1 statesin part that written,procedures shall beestablished, implemented, and maintained covering activities referencedbelow:

Applicable procedures recommendedin Appendix A of RegulatoryGuide 1.33, Revision 2, February 1978. Section 1fdJ ofAppendix A recommends administrative controls for procedureadherence.

Offsite Dose Calculation Procedures and EnvironmentalRadiological Monitoring Program.

Quality Assurance Program for Effluent and EnvironmentalMonitoring.

Licensee Procedure AD2, "Procedure Use and Adherence, "

Section 5. 1.2, which implements Technical Specification 6.8. 1(aJ,statedin part that personnel shall use approved procedures to thefullest capability, which includes:

Performing the taskin accordance with the procedure.

Recording data as directed by the procedure.

h. Ensuring that all of the expectedindications are observed andthat no unexpectedindications exist.

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Remaining aware ofpotential deficiencies orimprovements in thedirections provided by procedures.

Stopping work when anincorrect orimprecise procedure stepisencountered and havingit correctedin accordance with approvedmethods.

Contrary to the above:

During the January 1993 and January 1994 beta efficiencycalibrations, the licensee performed alpha, efficiency calibrations,which were notin accordance with any established licenseeprocedure.

b. During the January 1993 and January 1994 efficiencycalibrations, calculations used in Procedure E-1 were incorrect,imprecise, and when encountered by the licensee, were notcorrectedin accordance with approved methods.

C. During the February 1993 and February 1994 strontium andyttrium calibrations, technicians used steps to make theyttrium-90 results precise and correct without stopping work andwithout making corrections to Procedure E-10in accordance withapproved methods.

2. NPAP C-204INOS-4.3.9, "Nuclear Plant Administrative Procedure(NPAPJ Radiochemical Intracompany Cross-Check Program, "

Section 4.7.3, stated that the Supervising Engineer, RECE, shall preparea report which evaluates the results obtained by each laboratory withinfour weeks of receiving the data from the participating laboratory.

Contrary to the above, the licensee did not prepare written reportswhich evaluated the results of the TES Health Physics unit'sintercompany laboratory spiked samples submitted to the SupervisingEngineer, RECE, from March - November 1993 until March 14, 1994, aperiod exceeding four weeks.

3. Procedure C-4, "Operation of the (Tennelec 5100) Low BackgroundProportional Counting System," Section 3.7, "Alpha and Beta Plateaus,"required the technicians in part:

~ To use polonium-210 to perform the alpha plateau.

~ To use a beta source of approximately 50,000 counts per minuteor greater fe.g., Strontium-90) in carrier No. 1.

~ To set the operating high voltage at that point above the kneeand where the slope per 100 voltsis less than 2.5 percent.

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Contrary to the above:

In January 1994 americium-241 rather than polonium-210 wasused by the technician to perform the alpha plateau.

b. In January 1993 the beta sourcein carrier No. 1 only reached amaximum of 13,600 counts.

C. In January 1993 and January 1994, TES Health Physicstechnicians set the beta plateau high operating voltages byestimating a point one-half to two-thirds above the knee, and notby determining where the slope per 100 volts, was less than2.5 percent.

4, Procedure E-1, "Calibration of Tennelec LB5100 for Gross BetaActivity," requiredin part:

~ Calculate the efficiency using (Hewlett-PackardJ HP-9845 forcalculation as describedin environmental Procedure J EP F-9(Efficiencies for Beta Activityand K-40 ActivityJ.

~ Plot a graph of efficiency versus mass of sample.

Contrary to the. above:

a. During the January 1993 and January 1994 efficiencycalibrations, the licensee did not use the HP-9845 for calculationsdescribedin EP F-7

b. During the January 1993 and January 1994 efficiencycalibrations the licensee did not plot graphs of efficiency versusmass of samples.

This is a Severity Level IV violation. (Supplement Ij f50-275/94-04-02 and50-323/94-04-02j"

REASON FOR THE VIOLATION

PG5E agrees with the violation as stated in the Inspection Report, in that there wereinstances of Technical and Ecological Services (TES) and Nuclear Power Generation(NPG) personnel not performing Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program(REMP) work in accordance with approved procedures. PG&E reviewed the NRC'sconcerns. PGSE agrees that the quality of the REMP procedures can be enhanced.Revisions to these procedures are being made as discussed below. In addition,PGRE concluded its management expectations for procedural compliance were notbeing met. Actions to improve REMP procedural compliance are also discussedbelow.

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During our review, PGSE identified several instances where clarification of NRCobservations could provide a more complete understanding of the events in question.While these clarifications do not change our response to the violation, PG8cE

considers the clarification important to the NRC's perception of the problem.

The cause of the four specific instances of failure to follow procedures identified inthe violation are as follows:

1. Calibration activities

The January 1993 and 1994 alpha efficiency calibrations were being performedby the TES Radiological Laboratory in support of PGKE's non-nuclear facilities.The data required to perform alpha efficiency calibrations are automaticallyobtained whenever beta efficiency calibrations are performed in accordancewith Procedure E-1, "Calibration of Tennelec LB5100 for Gross Beta Activity."Alpha-efficiencies in air filters are not required for Diablo Canyon Power Plant(DCPP) or Humboldt Bay Power Plant (HBPP). Nonetheless, PGSE agrees thatProcedure E-1 could be enhanced to specify the alpha efficiency calibration

, methodology that was being used.

A concern was noted that the January 1993 and 1994 efficiency calculationsused in Procedure E-1 were imprecise. The equation given in Procedure E-1

used the term "counts per minute" as a factor in the equation. PGSE agreesthat Procedure E-1 could be enhanced to specify "counts per minute" as "netcounts per minute." The TES technicians correctly used "net counts perminute" in their calculations.

When performing the February 1993 and 1994" strontium and yttriumcalibrations, technicians used the general guidance of Procedure E-10 and "skillof the crafts" to record the date and time of the yttrium separation. Althoughthis step is implied, PGSE agrees that Procedure E-10 could be enhanced tospecify recording date and time of the yttrium separation.

lt

2. Radiochemical lntracompany Cross-Check Program Report

PGSE agrees that Procedure C-204 was not met when reports evaluating thecross-check comparison were not prepared. The cause of the reports not beingprepared was personnel error by the individual who was assigned theresponsibility of preparing the report.

3, Operation of the Tennelec LB5100.

PGRE reviewed Procedure C-4 and the vendor manual and held discussions withthe vendor regarding the use of Americium-241 as an alpha source.'Procedure C-4 specifies the use of an alpha source and gives Polonium-210 asan example of an alpha source. Neither Procedure C-4 nor the vendor manualspecifies the exclusive use of Polonium-210 as an alpha source. The vendor

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indicated that the use of Americium-241 as an alpha source was alsoacceptable.

PGSE reviewed the beta plateaus performed in 1992, 1993, and 1994. Ourreview concluded that in 1992 and 1994 the counts exceeded 50,000 after theknees of the beta plateaus. However, PGSE agrees that the 1993 beta plateauonly reached a maximum of 13,600 counts, which is contrary to therequirements of Procedure C-4 and the recommendation of the vendor manual.

'GREagrees that the procedure was not followed. In April 1994, the vendorwas contacted and concurred that the use of a 13,000 count source wasacceptable, provided that the required number of counts after the knee of theplateau is at least 10,000.

Procedure C-4 defines the operating high voltage as that point on the betaplateau which is 50 to 75 volts above the knee and where'the slope per 100volts is less than 2.5 percent. The technician performed this activity, whichwas subsequently reviewed by either a radiochemist or a health physicist toensure the operating voltage satisfied the criteria in Procedure C-4. Thisverification confirmed the validity of the operating voltage. The technicaladequacy of Procedure C-4 to perform the beta plateau has been reviewed andfound satisfactory by an independent review performed by an NPG senior healthphysics engineer.

4. Efficiency Determination

Procedure E-1 required that the HP 9845 be used for gross beta efficiencycalibrations. During the January 1993 and 1994 efficiency calibrations, handcalculations were performed instead of using the HP 9845. PGS.E agrees thatProcedure E-1 should have been revised prior to implementing this change inpractice.

Procedure E-1 required plotting the efficiency versus mass of sample graphswhen calibrating the Tennelec LB5100 for gross beta analysis of biologicalsamples. During the January 1993 and 1994 efficiency calibrations, a graph ofefficiency versus mass of the sample was not performed. Currently, gross betaanalyses are not performed on biological samples from either nuclear facility.Gross beta analyses of air samples are performed for DCPP, but a plot ofefficiency versus mass is not required by Procedure E-1 because the samplingprocess produces a uniform mass and, as a result, does not require a samplemass correction. Nevertheless, PGSE agrees that nuclear facility-relatedprocedures must be followed.

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CORRECTIVE STEPS TAKEN AND RESULTS ACHIEVED

1 ~ Calibration Activities

80 Procedure E-1 has been enhanced to specify the alpha efficiencymethodology to be used. Procedure E-1 also was enhanced to clarifythat net counts per minute should be used for efficiency calculations.

b. Procedure E-,10 has been enhanced to provide more specificity regardingthe yttrium precipitation methodology.

2. The report of the results of the intercompany cross-check program was issuedMarch 15, 1994. The program was administered in 1993 under Nuclear PlantAdministrative Procedure (NPAP) C-204/NOS-4.3.9 and Humboldt BayAdministrative Procedure (HBAP) C-204. The NPAP was consolidated intoInterdepartmental Administrative Procedure (IDAP) CY1 ~ ID1, which wasapproved on April 15, 1994. HBPP will revise HBAP C-204 to reflect therequirements of the new IDAP by June 30, 1994. IDAP CY1.ID1 identifiesDCPP Site Quality Control as the new group responsible for evaluating theanalytical results and preparing subsequent reports. TES will issue an ActionRequest (AR) in the Plant Information Management System (PIMS), which willallow DCPP Site QC to track the cross-check program samples.

3. The vendor was contacted in April 1994, The vendor confirmed theacceptability of performing a beta plateau with any source intensity provided atleast 10,000 counts are obtained after the knee of the beta plateau.

4. Procedure E-1 has been revised to allow performance of hand calculations forefficiency calibrations. Procedure E-1 has also been revised to delete calibrationof the Tennelec LB5100 for gross beta activity in biological samples. Grossbeta activity for biological samples is not used for nuclear-related activities.

In addition to the above, the following programmatic actions were taken:

TES has revised its quality program (Procedure 14.0, "Problems andNonconformances," effective April 25, 1994) to conform the AR initiation system, asit is implemented at TES, to the system implemented at DCPP. This authorizespersonnel at TES who have identified a problem to either initiate an AR in PIMS or toinitiate a TES AR initiation document (i.e., form) and submit it to their supervisor,who shall then assure that employee concerns with procedures or any other aspectof TES nuclear work are documented and resolved in a timely manner.

TES has adopted the NPG Editorial Change procedure revision process (Procedure5.1, "Procedure Review and Approval," effective April 25, 1994). This will enhancethe ability of TES personnel in making procedure revisions and help assure that TESprocedures are current and up-to-date.

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On March 29, 1994, TES conducted a Supervisors'ommunication meeting. Duringthis meeting, the new methods for editorial change for procedures and use of the ARsystem were discussed. During this meeting, the importance of following approved,procedures and timely identification and resolution of problems was stressed.

CORRECTIVE STEPS THAT WILLBE TAKEN TO AVOID FURTHER'VIOLATIONS

Procedure C-4 will be revised by August 20, 1994, to allow additional flexibility.The required number of counts after the knee of the plateau will be at least 10,000.The user will use the source designated by the health physicist to be appropriate forplateau determination.

TES has initiated a Nonconformance Report (NCR) to address the REMP concernsidentified by the NRC, to identify and resolve any additional problems that may beassociated with the REMP, and to identify corrective actions that are required toprevent recurrence. All procedures controlling the NPG REMP are currently beingreviewed. These procedures will be revised by October 1, 1994, as necessary, toassure that responsibilities and program requirements are clearly delineated.

TES will develop and implement a training program to assure that all TES personnelperforming nuclear quality-related work understand (1) the importance of performingtheir work in accordance with approved procedures, and (2) the importance of timelyidentification and resolution of quality problems, Training will be implemented andcompleted by July 1, 1994.

DATE WHEN FULL COMPLIANCE WILLBE ACHIEVED

PGSE is currently in full compliance.

Procedure C-4 will be revised by August 20, 1994.

HBPP Procedure HBAP C-204 will be revised by June 30, 1994.

Reviews and revisions of all procedures controlling the REMP will be completed byOctober 1, 1994.

TES nuclear quality awareness training programs will be completed by July 1, 1994.

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PGSE Letter DCL-94-093

ENCLOSURE 2

RESPONSE TO NRC CONCERNS IDENTIFIED IN NRCINSPECTION REPORT NOS. 50-275/94-04 AND 50-323/94-04

NRC Inspection Report 50-275/94-04 and 50-323/94-04 identified concernsregarding implementation of the REMP and the effect of the 1993 PGSEreorganization on the REMP. PGRE has reviewed and evaluated each of the NRC'sconcerns and has taken steps to address them. PGRE believes the actions describedbelow are responsive to the NRC's concerns.

NRC Concern:

The licensee's audits met the requirements of the Technical Specification (TSJ, butenhanced training or qualification of Quality Assurance (QAJ auditors couldimprovethe technical quality of REMP audits.

PG&E Response:

NPG QA (NQS) audit team composition will be evaluated and'enhanced. This willensure that an audit team member has training or experience as recommended inNRC Regulatory Guide 4.15. Other enhancements will include the development andimplementation of audit basis guidelines, better auditor qualification documentation,and trending of TES quality problems. =

NRC Concern:I

The TES Nuclear Quality Management (NQMJ and NPG QA interface could beimproved based on the weaknessidentifiedin the TESINPGinterface procedure andthe lack of meaningful QAIQC oversight of the REMP.

PG8cE Response:

NPG QA (NQS) is strengthening quality assurance oversight at the TES facility byincreasing the use of performance-based audit techniques in future audits.

The roles and relationships between NPG Nuclear Quality Services (NQS) and TESNQM will be clarified in Procedure OM1.ID5, "Interface Procedure Between Technicaland Ecological Services and Nuclear Power Generation Departments." Specifically,programmatic and technical audits and surveillances will be performed by NPG NQS.TES program development, procedure reviews, quality problem administration,

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monitoring, and appropriate inspections will be performed by TES NQM. ProcedureOM1.ID5 is scheduled to be revised by September 1, 1994.

NRC Concern:

The NRCidentified several failures to followapproved procedures and a perceivedwillingness to use unapproved procedural stepsinstead ofidentifying the problemand correcting the procedure.

PGSE Response:

TES NQM will develop and implement a training program for all TES personnelinvolved in nuclear quality related work to assure that they are aware of theimportance of following approved procedures, and the timely identification andresolution of quality problems. TES has already conducted a

Supervisors'ommunication

meeting that addressed those concerns.

NRC Concern:

The licensee's 1992 Annual Radiological Environmental Operating Report and REMPdid not recognize the increased Cobalt-58 as a concern.

PGSE Response:

Procedure A-7, "Environmental Radiological Monitoring Procedure - DCPP (NormalOperation)," which controls the REMP, does not require algae sampling at any of themarine stations. Since there is no NRC reporting requirement for isotopes detectedin this medium, PGRE has historically used the reporting levels for fish as theadministrative level for the isotopes of interest in algae.=

In 1992, Co-58 was detected in 6 samples out of 68 algae samples. Although thelevel of Co-58 detected in these 6 samples did not approach the reporting level forCo-58 in fish, the TES health physics supervis'or contacted DCPP to discuss theirsignificance. Spikes were noted in the bull kelp blade and pneumatocyst inSeptember 1992 and in the iridaea in October 1992. Subsequent samples in 1992and 1993 had either nondetectable or significantly lower levels. The Co-58 level inplant effluent was not unusual. These higher levels for Co-58 in algae could beattributed to sampling variation.

To enhance the program, PGSE has revised Procedure A-11, "Review ofRadioanalytical Data," to include administrative limits for isotopes of interest to theREMP and to require initiation of an AR if the administrative limit is exceeded. PGSEhas also implemented the use of control charts to detect trends, These controlcharts were incorporated into the 1993 Annual Radiological Environmental OperatingReport.

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NRC Concern:

The licensee's reorganization and'onsolidation resultedin the loss of the REMP'ssenior radiochemist. Theinspector concluded that the organization and staffchanges have removed a level of quality control needed to assure a technicallyeffective REMP.

PGSE Response:

Prior to the 1993 reorganization, technical oversight and validation of the workperformed by the senior technician was shared by the radiochemist and the seniorhealth physicist. The radiochemist was also responsible for preparing the samplesfor the Company's intralaboratory analyses program. The senior health physicistprovided technical oversight for this latter work.

In June 1993, the radiochemist left PGSE. As the REMP was well established androutine in nature, the need for a full-time radiochemist in the Health Physics Unit wasreevaluated to determine if the same quality could be maintained in a more efficientmanner. TES concluded that the work of the radiochemist could be distributed to thesenior health physicist and to another radiochemist in another unit of the TESChemical and Environmental Engineering Section.

As a result of the redistribution of the work, the senior health physicist remainedresponsible for providing technical oversight and assumed the responsibility forvalidation of all the REMP calibrations and analyses. As a program enhancement, aradiochemist in the Chemical Engineering Unit was assigned responsibility forpreparing the'intralaboratory analyses samples. The Chemical Engineering UnitSupervisor, who has a degree in nuclear chemistry, was assigned responsibility forthe technical oversight of the radiochemist's work. This enhancement provides anindependent review of the Health Physics Unit's participation in the Company'sintralaboratory analysis program.

In summary, the level of quality review was unchanged by the reorganization in theHealth Physics Unit, TES will continue to monitor the impact of the consolidation ofpositions by evaluating the results of the inter- and intra- laboratory comparisonprograms, audit findings, and use of overtime. The DCPP quality organization,

'hroughits programmatic-based audits, will verify that an adequate level of qualityexists.

NRC Concern:

During theinspection it was noted that a new TES/NPGinterface procedure(OM1.ID5, effective March 24,1994) identified additional 10 CFR 50, Appendix BQA-related activities for TES over the existinginterface procedure

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Page 27: Responds to NRC 940401 ltr re violations noted in insp ... · maximum of 13,600 counts. C. In January 1993 and January 1994, TES Health Physics technicians set the beta plateau high

(NPAP A-1 1/NPG-3. 1J. These activities were identified as calibrations, evaluations,inspections, examinations, special testing, and analyses. The NRC was concernedthat the change in this procedure indicated anincreased role for TESin NPG'sbusiness as a result of the March 1993 reorganization.

PGRE Response

The inclusion of these additional activities in the scope-of OM1.ID5 does natrepresent an increased role of TES in NPG business. This is because prior toMarch 24, 1994, TES/NPG interface was governed by two administrativeprocedures.'hen the two interface procedures were converted to the new NPG

" procedure format, it was decided to combine them and only have one interfaceprocedure. As a result, the scope of the new procedure was expanded to include theactivities identified as both routine and nonroutine. This consolidation of the twoprocedures did not result in an increase in the scope of work performed by TES onbehalf of NPG.

The following two administrative procedures were in effect prior to March 24, 1994:

~ NPAP A-11/NPG-3.1, "NPG/TES Administrative Interface Procedure for RoutineWork Areas"

This procedure covered such TES activities as acoustical testing, healthphysics, instrument calibration and repair services, and chemical analysis.

~ NPAP A-12/NPG-3.2, "TES Administrative Interface Procedure for NonrecurringTasks."

This procedure covered nonregular tasks, such as evaluations, assistance,inspections, examinations, special tests, and/or analyses.

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Page 28: Responds to NRC 940401 ltr re violations noted in insp ... · maximum of 13,600 counts. C. In January 1993 and January 1994, TES Health Physics technicians set the beta plateau high