An investigation of a switch found in an incorrect position on a backup diesel generator at the Susquehanna nuclear plant has led to some employee disciplinary actions by Pennsylvania Power & Light Co.

"Safe operation is our top priority for the Susquehanna plant," said Herbert D. Woodeshick, PP&L's special assistant to the president for Susquehanna. "For that reason, we conducted a thorough investigation of the incident. In that investigation, we found that certain employees had not followed procedures properly."

As a result of the investigation, 12 employees were disciplined, including seven who have been dismissed, Woodeshick said.

"An assessment of similar activities in other areas of the plant also was conducted," Woodeshick noted. "That assessment did not identify any other areas of concern."

PP&L's investigation began in July after the discovery that plant personnel had improperly positioned a switch on a backup diesel generator following maintenance and testing in mid-June, and that regular inspections, which would have revealed the error, had not been performed properly.

The diesel-powered generators provide an alternative power supply for plant safety systems if power from off-site sources is lost.

"We don't take these disciplinary actions lightly. We found employees who had not followed procedures but had signed the verifying documents as if they had," Woodeshick said. "We will continue to monitor performance of procedures throughout the plant, and take additional action if further situations are identified."

Also among the corrective actions PP&L took were meetings with all employees at the plant at which management's expectations for employee conduct at the facility were reiterated; an increase in supervisory oversight; and implementation of a stepped-up inspection program.

The seven employees who have been dismissed performed operational duties throughout the plant, but were not assigned to the control room. Since they did not operate the reactor controls, they were not required to have a Nuclear Regulatory Commission operator's license, Woodeshick pointed out.

PP&L has informed the Nuclear Regulatory Commission about the incidents and the follow-up actions.

The Susquehanna plant, located along Route 11 north of Berwick, is jointly owned by PP&L and Allegheny Electric Cooperative Inc.