Complex transients in nuclear power plants place high demands on the operators in the control room. The objective of the actions described in this task was to increase the capability of the shift crews in the control room to operate the facility in a safe and competent manner, by assuring that a proper number of individuals with the proper qualifications and fitness are on shift at all times. The work to improve the design of control rooms is described elsewhere in this plan.
This item was clarified in NUREG-0737,[1] requirements were issued, and MPA F-01 was established by DL/NRR for implementation purposes.
This item was clarified in NUREG-0737[2] and requirements were issued.
This item was clarified in NUREG-0737,[3] requirements were issued, and MPA F-02 was established by DL/NRR for implementation purposes.
The purpose of this item was to develop changes to 10 CFR 50.54 concerning shift staffing with licensed operators and working hours of licensed operators. As described in NUREG-0660,[4] the staff was expected to "develop proposed changes to 10 CFR 50 for consideration by the Commission to effect appropriate changes concerning plant staffing, including shift manning, control room presence, and working hours."
SECY-81-440[5] was prepared by the staff in July 1981 and resulted in a Commission policy statement on working hour limitations which was issued in the Federal Register on February 17, 1982. Working hour limitations were to be incorporated into Regulatory Guide 1.33[6] [see Issue 75]. The specific issues to be considered were: (1) the number of licensed operators, based on the number of reactors, control room configuration, and operating model; (2) whether existing rulemaking should be expanded to include non-licensed operators; (3) whether existing rulemaking should be expanded to include "position titles," in addition to the type of NRC license; (4) whether shift technical advisors (STAs) or shift engineers (SEs) should be required on shift; and (5) whether shift supervisors (SSs) should be licensed.
A proposed rule was published on August 30, 1982 and, after the comment period expired, the final rule was submitted to the Commissioners in SECY-83-52A[7] on March 14, 1983. In response to the TMI Action Plan, licensing has required, through technical specification (TS), the great majority of the substantive features of the expected changes to regulation. Therefore, adoption of the rule was expected to have the effect of codifying existing requirements with minimal impact on licensees. The final rule amending 10 CFR 50.54 was approved[8] by the Commission on April 28, 1983. Thus, this issue was RESOLVED and new requirements were established.[9]
[1] NUREG-0737, "Clarification of TMI Action Plan Requirements," U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, November 1980, (Supplement 1) January 1983.
[2] NUREG-0737, "Clarification of TMI Action Plan Requirements," U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, November 1980, (Supplement 1) January 1983.
[3] NUREG-0737, "Clarification of TMI Action Plan Requirements," U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, November 1980, (Supplement 1) January 1983.
[4] NUREG-0660, "NRC Action Plan Developed as a Result of the TMI-2 Accident," U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, May 1980, (Rev. 1) August 1980.
[5] SECY-81-440, "Nuclear Power Plant Staff Working Hours," U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, July 22, 1981. [8107290183]
[6] Regulatory Guide 1.33, "Quality Assurance Program Requirements (Operation)," U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, November 1972, (Rev. 1) February 1977, (Rev. 2) February 1978. [7907100144]
[7] SECY-83-52A, "Final Rulemaking Concerning Licensed Operator Staffing at Nuclear Power Units and Draft Policy Statement on Shift Crew Qualifications," U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, March 14, 1983. [8304010029]
[8] Memorandum for W. Dircks from S. Chilk, "Staff RequirementsAffirmation/Discussion and Vote, 3:35 p.m., Thursday, April 21, 1983, Commissioners' Conference Room (Open to Public Attendance)," April 28, 1983. [9705190263]
[9] Memorandum for V. Stello from H. Denton, "Close- out of the Division of Human Factors Technology TMI Action Plan Items," January 6, 1987. [8701140115]
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