Headquarters Daily report JUNE 27, 1994 *************************************************************************** REPORT NEGATIVE NO INPUT ATTACHED INPUT RECEIVED RECEIVED HEADQUARTERS X REGION I X REGION II X X REGION III X REGION IV X *************************************************************************** PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION II JUNE 22, 1994 Licensee/Facility: Notification: MR Number: 2-94-0049 University Of Virginia Date: 06/22/94 Charlottesville,Virginia Dockets: 05000062 License No: R-66 Subject: 0PERATION OF THE REACTOR WITH A NON-TECH SPEC REQUIRED SCRAM BEING INOPERABLE Reportable Event Number: N/A Discussion: On June 21, 1994, the licensee notified the NRC Region II that the Reactor Supervisor, who is a Senior Reactor Operator (SRO), had failed to follow a step in a procedure dealing with the operation of their Mineral Irradiation Facility (MIF). This oversight lead to the non-availability of the only automatic reactor shutdown associated with the MIF. Consequently, the University of Virginia Reactor (UVAR) was operated with this scram being inoperable for three days. This scram is not one of the reactor safety scrams and is not listed as being required for operation of the reactor by the Technical Specification. The MIF scram was bypassed late on Monday, June 13, 1994, to permit a scheduled surveillance check of the low pool water scram circuits. The next morning, June 14, the SRO completed the reactor startup checklist, as well as the MIF operations checklist. The step in the MIF checklist requiring the operator to "insure that the experiment scram is not bypassed when starting the reactor" was not completed by visually checking the position of the bypass switch. Instead, the operator took a short-cut and considered a lit annunciator light at the console to indicate that the switch was in the on-line position. The problem was noted on Friday, June 17, and the reactor was shutdown. Following an investigation by the licensee, the Reactor Supervisor was removed from licensed activities and another individual has been named as Reactor Supervisor. Licensee management interviewed all reactor operators and reviewed the requirements of the checklists. A training session was also held to review the event and instruct all facility personnel on the importance of following procedures. The licensee plans to restart the reactor today, June 22, 1994. Regional Action: This event will be reviewed during the next regularly scheduled inspection at the facility. Contact: C. BASSETT (404)331-5570 PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION I JUNE 23, 1994 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Becton Dickinson Diagnostic MR Number: 1-94-0069 Instrument Systems Date: 06/22/94 Becton Dickinson Towson,Maryland Dockets: 03008488 License No: 19-14977-01E Subject: FROZEN SHIPMENT OF CARBON-14 VIALS Reportable Event Number: N/A Discussion: On June 22, 1994, Region I was notified by the State of New Jersey that a shipment of vials containing radioactive materials destined for Belgium was being held in Elizabeth, New Jersey because the vials were inadvertently frozen. Region I spoke to Becton Dickinson and determined that a refrigerated truck containing 80,640 glass vials in test kits, 1-5 microcuries of carbon-14 per vial, traveled from Beckton Dickinson's facilities in Towson, Maryland to the Port Authority in Elizabeth, New Jersey. When the truck arrived at the Port Authority, it was discovered that the vials were being stored at -10 degrees centigrade. Each vial is packed in its own corrugated cardboard box which contains at least enough absorbent to contain the liquid within the vial. The vials are remaining at the same temperature until they are within the confines of the licensee's facilities in Towson, Maryland. Some time between 5:00 p.m. on June 22, 1994 and 8:00 a.m. on June 23, 1994, the vials are scheduled for departure back to Towson, Maryland. Becton Dickinson holds a State of Maryland license for possession and an NRC license for exempt distribution. The State of Maryland and the Office of Public Affairs have been notified. The State of New Jersey has been provided this updated information. Region I is still following up on the situation and is keeping in communication with the States of Maryland and New Jersey and Becton Dickinson. Regional Action: None, furnished for information only. Contact: Sheri Arredondo (610)337-5342 PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION II JUNE 23, 1994 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Tennessee Valley Authority MR Number: 2-94-0050 Watts Bar 1 2 Date: 06/23/94 Spring City,Tennessee Dockets: 50-390,50-391 PWR/W-4-LP,PWR/W-4-LP Subject: BOARD SHORTED AND FOUND SMOLDERING FIRE Reportable Event Number: N/A Discussion: At 9:41 a.m. on June 22, 1994, Watts Bar operators discovered a smoldering fire in Shutdown Board 2A2-A. There were three construction workers in the area at the time of the short. Two of the workers received abrasions trying to get away from the board, and the third worker received burns on his arm, neck, and face, and was transported to the hospital. The fire was extinguished. The licensee has initiated a full incident investigation under their criteria for Category 1 events, which includes quarantining of equipment. At 2:15 p.m., the licensee reported that the injured worker had second degree burns on 1/5 of his arm and would remain at the Erlanger Medical Center burn unit in Chattanooga, TN, for observation. Regional Action: Follow Licensee investigation. Contact: C. Julian (404)331-5526 PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION II JUNE 23, 1994 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Tennessee Valley Authority MR Number: 2-94-0051 Sequoyah 1 2 Date: 06/23/94 Soddy-Daisy,Tennessee Dockets: 50-327,50-328 PWR/W-4-LP,PWR/W-4-LP Subject: SEQUOYAH PLANT MANAGER CHANGE Reportable Event Number: N/A Discussion: On June 22, 1994, TVA announced the selection of Jim Baumstark to the position of Sequoyah Plant Manager, effective June 24, 1994. Mr. Baumstark has held the positions at the site of Outage and Technical Services Manager and Operations Manager. Regional Action: For information only. Contact: Scott Sparks (404)331-5619 PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION II JUNE 23, 1994 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Virginia Power Co. MR Number: 2-94-0052 Surry 2 Date: 06/23/94 Surry,Virginia Dockets: 50-281 PWR/W-3-LP Subject: CONTAINMENT EVACUATION DUE TO HYDRAZINE RELEASE Reportable Event Number: N/A Discussion: On June 16, 1994, at approximately 10:00 a.m., while Unit 2 was shutdown for steam generator work, the containment was evacuated for approximately six hours and access to portions of the auxiliary building were restricted when a hydrazine release occurred during steam generator cleaning. Approximately 200 employees were evacuated from containment. Hydrazine concentrations to 6 parts per million (ppm) were detected inside containment. The licensee's guidelines for hydrazine toxicity concentration is 0.1 ppm for an eight hour exposure. Higher concentrations are allowable for shorter time periods. No personnel injuries were reported that day; however, on June 22 the licensee informed the resident inspectors that 6 contract employees had visited the site nurse to inquire what symptoms were associated with hydrazine exposure. On June 22, some of these employees indicated that they had experienced symptoms such as irritation to the eyes and throat on June 16. One contractor indicated that he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. The licensee has provided personnel, involved in the release, access to a medical doctor. Regional Action: Followup by the residents. Contact: A. BELISLE (404)331-4196 PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - HEADQUARTERS JUNE 24, 1994 MR Number: H-94-0060 NRR DAILY REPORT ITEM GENERIC COMMUNICATIONS BRANCH/EVENTS ASSESSMENT BRANCH DIVISION OF OPERATING REACTOR SUPPORT OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION Subject: N/A NRC Information Notice 94-13, Supp. 1, "Unanticipated and Unintended Movement of Fuel Assemblies and other Components due to Improper Operation of Refueling Equipment," will be issued June 28, 1994. The NRC is issuing this information notice supplement to alert addressees to an event involving unauthorized movement of a defective spent fuel rod. Technical contact: Dale A. Powers, RIV (817) 860-8195 PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION IV JUNE 24, 1994 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Wolf Creek Nuclear Oper. Corp. MR Number: 4-94-0057 Wolf Creek 1 Date: 06/24/94 Burlington,Kansas Resident Inspector Dockets: 50-482 PWR/W-4-LP Subject: MARIJUANA AND PARAPHENALIA FOUND ON SITE Reportable Event Number: N/A Discussion: At 5:57 p.m. on June 23, 1994, during a routine search of a construction site, licensee security officers found a pipe which appeared to contain some marijuana lying on top of a stack of wallboard. The construction area is outside the licensee's protected area during the day, when construction activities are in progress, and becomes part of the protected area at night. The routine search was part of the process to move the security boundary to include the construction site within the protected area. Thus, the marijuana and paraphernalia remained outside the protected area. The licensee contacted management, the Resident Inspector, the construction company management, and the Coffey County Sheriff. The licensee requested the sheriff to perform a field test of the substance. The Sheriff's Deputy reported to the site and identified the pipe as typical marijuana paraphernalia available at any "head shop." A field test was not performed because Sheriff's Office budget constraints only permit a field test after a suspect is identified. The Sheriff's Deputy stated that the material appeared to be "high grade marijuana." The quantity of marijuana found was only that which was in the pipe in a volume approximately 1/8 inch in diameter and 2 inches long. The Sheriff's Deputy took possession of the material. No other material was found on the construction site. Regional Action: The resident inspector and Regional staff will monitor licensee actions. Contact: Fred Ringwald (316)364-8653 PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION IV JUNE 24, 1994 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Houston Lighting & Power Co. MR Number: 4-94-0058 South Texas 2 Date: 06/24/94 Wadsworth,Texas Senior Resident Inspector Dockets: 50-499 PWR/W-4-LP Subject: REDUCTION IN POWER Reportable Event Number: N/A Discussion: On June 23, 1994, with Unit 2 operating at 100 percent power, licensed operators noted that the main turbine lubricating oil pressure had dropped to approximately 60 psig at the electrohydraulic control system interface valve. The interface valve is designed to open at 46 psig on decreasing oil pressure, dumping the electrohydraulic control hydraulic fluid, thereby actuating a main turbine-generator trip. The cause of the low oil pressure is assumed to be a failed open pressure relief valve or a malfunctioning regulator valve. Licensed operators began reducing reactor power at 1:25 p.m. on June 24. By 7 a.m. power had been reduced below the turbine trip/reactor trip permissive. The licensee intends to leave the unit operating at 45 percent power through the weekend while a turbine-generator outage plan is developed. Regional Action: Routine followup by resident inspectors. Contact: R. Mullikin (817)860-8148 PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - HEADQUARTERS JUNE 27, 1994 MR Number: H-94-0061 NRR DAILY REPORT ITEM GENERIC COMMUNICATIONS BRANCH/EVENTS ASSESSMENT BRANCH DIVISION OF OPERATING REACTOR SUPPORT OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION Subject: N/A NRC Information Notice 94-48, "Snubber Lubricant Degradation in High- Temperature Environments," will be issued June 30, 1994. The NRC is alerting addressees to the possible degradation of the lubricant used in mechanical snubbers manufactured by Pacific Scientific (PSA) when the snubber is used in a high-temperature environment. Technical contacts: Floyd S. Cantrell, RII (404) 331-5534 Arnold J. H. Lee, NRR (301) 504-2758 PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION II JUNE 27, 1994 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Tennessee Valley Authority MR Number: 2-94-0053 Watts Bar 1 Date: 06/27/94 Spring City,Tennessee Dockets: 50-390 PWR/W-4-LP Subject: TVA ANNOUNCED THAT A COMPLETION PLAN HAD BEEN FINISHED FOR WATTS BAR UNIT 1 Reportable Event Number: N/A Discussion: On June 24, TVA announced that a completion plan had been finished for Watts Bar Unit 1. The plan targets March 1995 for fuel load, while describing the schedule to meet this date to be aggressive, but achievable. TVA also stated that the TVA Board had been briefed and had committed to funding implementation of the plan. Highlights of the plan provided by TVA discuss several milestones that need to be met prior to fuel load. Specific milestones addressed included the containment building integrated leak rate test, the NRC SALP, and the Watts Bar Unit 1 construction permit extension request. Regional Action: None Contact: Paul Fredrickson (404)331-5649 PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION IV JUNE 27, 1994 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Washington Public Power Supply System MR Number: 4-94-0059 Washington Nuclear 2 Date: 06/23/94 Richland,Washington Senior Resident Inspector Dockets: 50-397 BWR/GE-5 Subject: WPPSS EXECUTIVE BOARD ELECTS OFFICERS Reportable Event Number: N/A Discussion: On June 23, 1994, the WPPSS Executive Board met to elect Board officers to serve for 1-year terms. Carl M. Halvorson, Executive Board Chairman since December 1992 will remain in that position. Paul Nolan, a Tacoma, Washington, attorney and retired director of the City of Tacoma's utility division, will remain as vice-chairman, a position he has held since 1982. Donald Carter, a new member of the Executive Board, was elected Board secretary. Vera Claussen, a Grant County Public Utility District Commissioner was reelected as assistant secretary of the Board. Ms. Claussen has been a member of the Board since 1986 and also serves on the Supply System's Board of Directors. Also at the meeting, Executive Board member Ray Foleen submitted his resignation, effective at the end of this month. The Executive Board serves as the policy making body for the Supply System and normally consists of 11 members. Five members are elected from among the 13-member Supply System Board of Directors, and six are selected from outside the Supply System, three by the governor of Washington state and three by the Supply System's Board of Directors. Regional Action: For information only. Contact: D. Kirsch (510)975-0290 R. Barr (509)377-2627 D. Corporandy (510)975-0319