NRC PROPOSES $60,000 FINE AGAINST D.C. COOK FOR FAILURE TO PROVIDE
COMPLETE AND ACCURATE INFORMATION
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The violations were identified during an NRC inspection (NRC Inspection Report No. 05000315/2005006) conducted at D.C. Cook in spring and summer 2005 to review the plant’s reactor operator licensing program. The inspection also reviewed corrective actions undertaken to address a previous violation (EA-04-109 issued Sept. 29, 2004) in the same area. NRC inspectors identified three violations: (1) the utility had provided the NRC with incomplete and inaccurate information. The utility stated that a complete review of all operator medical records had been conducted and that no records that would require restrictions to operator licenses for medical reasons had been found. However, NRC inspectors identified three licensed operators who had medical conditions that would require their licenses to be restricted; (2) the utility had failed to notify the NRC about licensed operators experiencing a permanent illness within 30 days. Two NRC-licensed operators at the plant were diagnosed with potentially disqualifying medical conditions in 1998 and 2003. However, the NRC was not notified of these facts until 2005; (3) the utility also failed to provide the NRC with complete and accurate information on NRC reactor license applications. Applications submitted to the NRC for new, renewed and amended NRC licenses did not describe the individuals’ recently diagnosed medical conditions that would affect the conditions of these licenses.

"Reactor operators licensed by the NRC are entrusted with safe operation of nuclear reactors and must be capable of performing their assigned duties. For that reason, their physical condition and general health are significant concerns of the NRC and are closely monitored," said NRC Regional Administrator James Caldwell. "Providing the NRC with accurate and timely information on changes in reactor operators’ health that may affect their ability to perform their duties is key to the agency’s ability to fulfill its mission of protecting public health and safety."

Indiana Michigan Power Company has taken such corrective actions as developing guidance for the submission of reactor operator application forms; revising administrative procedures to discuss regulatory requirements with the medical review officer prior to performing the annual medical records review; training operators on the requirements to report a change in medical condition.

The notice to the utility on the enforcement action will be available online at http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/regulatory/enforcement/current.html and from the NRC Region III Office of Public Affairs. D.C. Cook inspections reports are available through the NRC’s online document collection, known as ADAMS, at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html by entering docket number 50-315 and 50-316.

The utility has until December 18 to pay the fine or to protest it. If the fine is protested and subsequently imposed by the NRC staff, the utility may request a hearing.

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Thursday, February 22, 2007