Federal Reports

At the request of TVA Occupational Health and Workers' Compensation, we performed a limited scope review to assess whether policies, procedures, and key control activities ensure compliance with TVA's Prescription Safety Eyewear Program requirements. In summary, we determined TVA's policies and procedures adequately address the eligibility requirements and process to be followed in order to obtain prescription safety eyewear. However:Policies and procedures regarding prescription safety eyewear (1) do not address the retention of supporting documentation for purchases of prescription safety eyewear and (2) are not being complied with by all the Safety Eyewear Coordinators. Policies and procedures could be strengthened to clearly identify the time frame constraints for obtaining replacement eyewear. Current identifiers used for employees are not unique to a single employee. TVA management agreed with our findings and recommendations and has taken or plans to take corrective action.

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We compared Gallatin Fossil Plant (GAF) coal receipts using TVA and terminal shipment weights to identify whether any significant variances exist. Our review covered December 1, 2005, to May 3, 2006. We determined (1) coal receipt information input into FuelWorx (FWX) and the Daily Coal Report (DCR) were generally accurate and (2) significant variances exist between vendor/terminal invoiced weights and TVA delivered weights. Specifically:All but 1 of the 64 tested coal shipments were input into FWX and the DCR accurately. The net effect of all terminal versus TVA weight variances shows that TVA received approximately 31,000 tons more coal than reported on the terminal shipping notices. We also noted that when TVA weights are unavailable, terminal weights are input as TVA weights. Two additional issues cited by GAF personnel were that (1) the responsible individual is not always informed when TVA weights are unavailable and (2) not all scale personnel receive formalized training.TVA management agreed with our findings and recommendations and has taken or plans to take corrective action.

At the request of TVA Nuclear (TVAN), we reviewed Stone and Webster Engineering Corporations' (SWEC) craft labor time reporting associated with the October 2005 Unit 1 Restart craft labor switch to five eight-hour straight-time work schedules. In 2005, TVA and the Tennessee Valley Trades and Labor Council modified their memorandum of understanding, including Attachment A, Mandatory ? Eight/Ten Straight-Time Attendance Agreement (LRS-54). The change was made to increase productivity (e.g., to curtail absenteeism and tardiness). To comply, SWEC switched to five eight-hour days straight-time work schedules in October of 2005. SWEC developed the following key control activities to ensure compliance with LRS-54.The AnalyzeTime application evaluates payroll data to identify inconsistencies and potential errors in time calculations. Timesheets, which support payroll payments, are prepared and signed by a foreman and then approved by an applicable supervisor. Gate-log reports are available to identify time reporting variances for employees working inside the secured area. We determined (1) the AnalyzeTime application is working as intended, (2) over 99 percent of timesheets reviewed contained all required signatures, and (3) gate-log reviews are being conducted; however, these reviews provide only limited information for monitoring. We also noted that:Absences are not tracked when an employee is temporarily assigned to another unit. No process exists to ensure that excused absences are monitored to identify potential abuse.