Indian Point did not notify NRC of control room operator’s medical condition

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Indian Point – two violations

BUCHANAN – The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a violation
against Entergy for its failure to notify the agency that an Indian Point
unit three reactor operator had sleep apnea and that he required a CPAP
(Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine at night.
A second violation said that when Entergy learned of the man’s condition, it did not notify the NRC to include that information when it issued a renewed license.
NRC spokesman Neil Sheehan said there was no fine, though, because Entergy implemented several corrective actions, including amending the operator’s license to reflect the restriction.
“This is a position of high responsibility,” Sheehan said. “If there were to be a severe event or some sort of emergency, the last thing we want to see is one of those very important individuals to be incapacitated for any reason.”
Entergy spokesman Jerry Nappi said there was an apparent communication breakdown over the issue.
“Entergy’s employee disclosed his medical condition to the doctor; however, subsequently the doctor and the company did not properly notify the NRC,” Nappi said.  “Once the company realized that this was an administrative oversight, they went back and corrected that error.  This condition of sleep apnea does not prevent or preclude an employee from performing his duties in accordance with his government issued license.”
There are several control room operators on duty at all times. 




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