NRC Finds Medical and Reporting Violations at Pilgrim

Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station may have violated rules regarding medical examinations and reporting requirements after finding several plant operators may have been unable to perform their jobs in emergency situations due to disabilities, pain, and high blood pressure, according to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The NRC sent a letter May 21 to plant vice president John Dent Jr., citing three “apparent violations” of NRC requirements associated with licensed reactor operator medical examinations and associated NRC reporting requirements.

According to an investigation completed in early February, the medical examiner’s failure to comply with these rules was not deliberate. Two of the violations are being considered for “escalated enforcement,” meaning any penalty could include fines, according to the NRC’s webpage on the enforcement process.

The letter includes several examples of “apparent” violations.

• In December 2010, during a medical exam, a reactor operator’s blood pressure exceeding the limit specified by the NRC, and the medical examiner was not knowledgeable of those standards, resulting in the operator being medically qualified to continue to work. The medical examiner also failed to notify Entergy of the operator’s condition, leading to Pilgrim not obtaining a conditional license for the operator.
• Between March 2008 and October 2011, seven operators were not administered stamina tests as required in biennial exams meant to ensure operators are capable of performing strenuous physical activity in emergencies. Three operators did not receive tests due to disabilities, and the medical examiner did not report the decisions to Entergy. A total of 10 operators had not been administered stamina tests, five as part of the annual exam, which did not violate NRC policy.
• Entergy submitted renewal applications for reactor operator licenses for two of the operators that did not receive stamina tests, certifying that the applicants met the medical requirements when they did not. The NRC issued licenses for both applicants in June 2011.

The NRC does not require a meeting with Pilgrim officials before making an enforcement decision because of the significance of the violations. Despite that, the NRC is providing Entergy with the opportunity to request a meeting or explain the matters in writing, including causes and corrective actions. Entergy can also accept the NRC’s report and accept any enforcement.

The NRC gave Entergy 10 days to respond to the letter. If Entergy chooses to meet, it must be within 30 days and the meeting will be open to the public.

Read the attached letter from the NRC.

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