DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD

December 13, 1996

A. DOE-RL Staffing: DOE-RL had requested a total manpower ceiling increase of 34 FTE (14 for excepted service technical experts, 20 for the TWRS Privatization Regulatory Office). On December 9, DOE-HQ informed DOE-RL that their manpower ceiling was being increased by 17 FTE through FY99 and then would be reduced by 7 FTE starting in FY2000. Mr. Wagoner advised that DOE-RL must now evaluate whether it will continue to pursue excepted service expertise for those needs which DOE-RL has identified but not yet filled.

B. TWRS Authorization Basis: On November 26, Lockheed Martin (LMHC) requested DOE-RL approval to modify the flammable gas controls for tank farms. Until these changes are approved, tank intrusive activities (e.g., sampling) are shut down. DOE-RL has completed its review and is awaiting revised control and technical basis documents from LMHC. DOE-RL approval is expected early next week.

On December 12, DOE-RL approved the TWRS Basis for Interim Operation (BIO) with comment. The BIO is scheduled to be implemented within 90 days. A copy of the DOE-RL approval letter and Safety Evaluation Report have been requested.

C. Canister Storage Building (CSB) construction: The critical decision meeting for the CSB deck construction originally scheduled for this week has been postponed (possibly next week). During the meeting, DOE-RL is expected to release the CSB deck package for construction. Duke is experiencing delays in the completion of the design and safety documentation and in approval of necessary permits by Washington State and the EPA. Pouring of concrete for the deck structure was originally scheduled for December 18, but will also be delayed pending successful completion of the critical decision meeting and approval by DOE-RL.

D. Bechtel Hanford Inc. (BHI) Radcon Assessment: BHI completed a corporate independent assessment of their radiological controls program on September 30, 1996, and issued the assessment report on October 30, 1996. We reviewed this report and forwarded a copy to DNFSB-HQ in November. Significant among the findings were the lack of a compliant ALARA program, the lack of knowledge among radcon technicians relative to survey instrument correction factors, and the failure of the corrective action management system to resolve past recurrent problems.

On December 10th, Mr. Ogg met with DOE-RL and BHI to discuss corrective actions to address findings from the recent assessment. BHI stated that the corrective action plan was not complete but would be prepared by January 15, 1997. In the meantime, BHI took interim measures to address several of the assessment findings. Additionally, BHI recently completed a Price Anderson Amendments Act (PAAA) analysis of certain assessment findings and expects to complete a PAAA determination next week. We have requested copies of the corrective action plan and the PAAA determination.

E. DOE-RL Staff Radcon Knowledge: Last week, DOE-RL provided a four-day supplemental radcon training course to its environmental restoration (AME) staff. (A September 1995 Board letter identified technical knowledge weaknesses with the AME staff.) All 23 attendees passed (Average score - 84%, Passing - 75%). Copies of the exam questions have been requested for review.

cc: Board Members