While a recently completed assessment of operations at the Susquehanna nuclear plant found the vast majority of tasks were completed in accord with procedures, the review has determined that two employees did not perform their job duties as expected.

Herbert D. Woodeshick, special assistant to PP&L's president, said Friday (1/24), as a result of this investigation, a shift supervisor and a former shift supervisor are no longer employed by the company.

"Our review of records showed that these individuals, over a period of time, did not perform a certain aspect of their outlined job duties," said Woodeshick. "While plant safety was not affected, we set high standards for performance at Susquehanna."

This assessment follows a similar review conducted this past summer after a switch on a backup diesel generator was found in an incorrect position. That review led to the dismissal of seven employees, Woodeshick noted.

"Since the switch misalignment this past summer, we have made a voluntary, concerted effort to review compliance with procedures throughout the facility. This assessment has involved the review of thousands of pages of records and more than 125,000 activities performed by employees," said Woodeshick. "These reviews were in addition to our ongoing performance assessment program.

"This extensive assessment of our operations has shown that the overwhelming majority of plant activities are conducted properly and safely," he said. "In several isolated cases, minor deviations were identified and resolved."

PP&L has undertaken a series of actions to address the issues identified by the assessments and to prevent recurrence. Among these actions: meetings with all employees at the plant at which management's expectations for job performance were reiterated; an increase in supervisory oversight; increased employee training; and implementation of a stepped-up inspection program.

PP&L has notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of its findings regarding the two employees.

The Susquehanna plant, located in Luzerne County about five miles north of Berwick, is owned jointly by PP&L and Allegheny Electric Cooperative Inc.