Radiological Control Current Concerns and Industry Events

TP-1 TVAN Technical TrainingHealth Physics (RADCON) Initial Training Program

HPT001.024Rev. 1Page 1 of 22

Radiological ControlCurrent Concerns and

Industry Events



Enabling Objectives

• Apply Error Prevention tools.• Identify Two Types of NRC Notifications• Identify Two Organizations Promoting

Excellence in the Nuclear Power Industry• Identify Three Types of Event Reports• Evaluate Events on Summary Worksheet• Identify Major RADCON Concern• Name Four Other Areas of Concern


HPT001.024Rev. 1Page 3 of 22SAFER

• Summarize Critical Steps

• Anticipate Errors at Critical Steps

• Foresee Consequences of Errors

• Evaluate Defenses, Barriers & Contingencies

• Review Experience


HPT001.024Rev. 1Page 4 of 22TVAN

Human Performance Initiative

Protect People and the Plant From Human Error through:

• Aggressive Control of Defense-in-Depth

• Rigorous Use of Error-Prevention Techniques



Error Prevention Tools - 1

Two-Minute RuleProcedure Use & Adherence

Independent VerificationSecond Party Verification

Effective CommunicationThree-Way communicationPhonetic Alphabet



Error Prevention Tools - 2

Self-CheckingSTAR – Stop, Think, Act, ReviewFlagging

Peer-CheckingQuestioning Attitude

QV&V – Qualify, Validate, & VerifyStop When Unsure



NRC Concerns Notices

• Licensee Event Reports (LERs)10 CFR 50.73

• Information Notices (INs)


HPT001.024Rev. 1Page 8 of 22Nuclear Industry

Improvement Organizations• Institute of Nuclear Power Operations

(INPO)Promote Safety, Reliability and Excellence

• World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO)

Maximize Safety & Reliability by Exchanging Information and Encouraging Communications


HPT001.024Rev. 1Page 9 of 22Event Reports

• INPO/WANO Operating Experience Report (OE)

• INPO/WANO Significant Event Notification (SEN)

• INPO/WANO Significant Event Report (SER)• INPO/WANO Significant Operating

Experience Report (SOER)• INPO/WANO Operations and Maintenance

Report (O&MR)


HPT001.024Rev. 1Page 10 of 22Unplanned Exposures

Weaknesses in Defenses• SOER 2001-01

1. Complying with Administrative Controls

2. Human Performance

3. Insufficient Training

4. Incorporation of Operating Experience

5. Inadequate Management Participation



Radiological Concerns

• Unplanned Radiation Exposures (Major Concern)

• Contamination/DRPs

• Intakes/Internal Exposures

• High Radiation Areas

• Radiography


HPT001.024Rev. 1Page 12 of 22Common Causes of

Radiography Events• Postings not Understood

• Assumptions rather than Verification

• Inadequate Surveys

• Inadequate Evaluation of Adjacent Dose Rates

• Radiological Personnel Unfamiliar with Radiography Posting Requirements


HPT001.024Rev. 1Page 13 of 22Adverse Trends in

Radiological Protection Events• Common Causes:

1. Insufficient Radiological Controls

2. Insufficient Line Management Oversight

3. Knowledge of New Equipment Limits

4. Inadequate Dose Monitoring

5. Over Reliance on Knowledge & Skills ofContract & RadCon Workers

6. Lack of Questioning Attitude



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Barrier Analysis

Barriers Associated with Events/Barriers Failed


HPT001.024Rev. 1Page 15 of 22Barrier Analysis Report

Highest Five Categories

• Unplanned Dose (28%)

• Uptakes (Internal Exposures) (19%)

• Personnel Contamination (15%)

• High Radiation Areas (9.5%)

• Radiography & ALARA Planning (8% each)



Important Recommendations• More Use of Staytimes

• Workers Self-Monitor Dose

• Improve ALARA Planning

• Survey After Removing Shielding

• Monitor Dose Rates Approaching Limits

• Compare As-Found Radiological Conditions with Forecast



Important Recommendations• Clarify Radiology Responsibilities

• ALARA Planning Identify Airborne Risks

• Use CAMs During Refuel Floor Work

• Strengthen Controls for DRPs

• Evaluate Equipment Release Practices

• Thorough Evaluation of Whole Body Monitor Alarms



Performance Indicators

• Provide Quantitative Indication of Plant Performance

• Trend Performance & Progress

• Set Challenging Goals for Improvement

• Compare Performance with Others

• Adjust Priorities & Resources


HPT001.024Rev. 1Page 19 of 22NRC

Performance Indicators

• Zero Unplanned Exposures

• Zero Overexposures

• Zero High Radiation Area Violations


HPT001.024Rev. 1Page 20 of 22INPO

Performance Indicators• BWRs – Industry Average Cumulative

Radiation Exposure (CRE):

120 man-rem/unit/year

• PWRs – Industry Average Cumulative Radiation Exposure (CRE):

65 man-rem/unit/year


HPT001.024Rev. 1Page 21 of 22Summary - 1

• Review of Industry Events Important Tool in Preventing Recurrence

• Event Notices Issued by NRC:LER & IN

• Event Notices Issued by INPO/WANO:OE, SEN, SER, & SOER

• Recurrence of Events may lead to Increased Severity of Penalties


HPT001.024Rev. 1Page 22 of 22Summary - 2

• Use of TVA Human Performance Tools

• Major Concern: Unplanned Exposures

• Other Concerns:Intakes or Internal ExposuresPersonnel ContaminationHigh Radiation AreasRadiography

• Performance Indicators

Documents

Radiological Control Current Concerns and Industry Events