Event Notification Report for May 3, 2005

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
05/02/2005 - 05/03/2005

** EVENT NUMBERS **


41644 41647 41648 41657 41658 41659 41660

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General Information or Other Event Number: 41644
Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: LEIGHTON & ASSOCIATES
Region: 4
City: ACTON State: CA
County:
License #: 3109-30
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: C. J. DELGADO
HQ OPS Officer: MIKE RIPLEY
Notification Date: 04/27/2005
Notification Time: 19:15 [ET]
Event Date: 04/22/2005
Event Time: [PDT]
Last Update Date: 04/27/2005
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
WILLIAM JOHNSON (R4)
ROBERT PIERSON (NMSS)
TAS (EMAIL) ()

Event Text

CALIFORNIA AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - NUCLEAR GAUGE MISSING OR STOLEN AND THEN RECOVERED

The State provided the following information via facsimile:

"On 4/22/05 at about 3:00 pm, [the representative] from Maurer Service Center, notified RHB-Brea that someone called their office reporting a nuclear gauge that was found in Acton Canyon (City of Acton). The person wanted to send the nuclear gauge to a police officer. A police officer and a hazmat person were called to recover the gauge. [The representative from Maurer Service Center] also went to check the nuclear gauge (Troxler Model 3440, S/N 15046) and verify the serial number to determine the owner of the gauge. According to the database, the nuclear gauge is owned by Leighton & Associates (RML 3109-30). [The representative from Maurer Service Center] contacted the RSO of Leighton & Associates. The RSO was not aware that above nuclear gauge was stolen/missing.

"This incident will be further investigated.

"[As of 4/27/05,] gauge is still with the service rep. being checked out, but no damage is suspected. Gauge was apparently stolen on 3-17-05 from job site storage on Santa Clarita, CA, but not discovered missing until 4-22-05."

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General Information or Other Event Number: 41647
Rep Org: NC DIV OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: CTL ENGINEERING
Region: 1
City: DURHAM State: NC
County:
License #: 032-1046-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: SHAM JEFFRIES
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Notification Date: 04/28/2005
Notification Time: 09:20 [ET]
Event Date: 04/27/2005
Event Time: 17:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 04/28/2005
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
RICHARD BARKLEY (R1)
JOHN HICKEY (NMSS)
TAS (VIA E-MAIL) ()

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT OF STOLEN TROXLER GAUGE

A Troxler gauge was stolen from the back of a truck parked at the licensee's address sometime between 1700 EDT on 4/27/05 and 0800 EDT on 4/28/05. Bolt cutters were used to remove the Troxler which was locked. The State noted that the Troxler should not have been left in the truck overnight. The licensee will be contacting the Police.

The Troxler was a model 3440, Serial Number 15579, with an 8 millicurie Cs-137 and a 44 millicurie Am-241/Be source.

State Report number is 05-17

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General Information or Other Event Number: 41648
Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: PACIFIC SOILS ENGINEERING, INC.
Region: 4
City: CYPRESS State: CA
County: RIVERSIDE
License #: 3142-30
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DEL ATUINO
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE
Notification Date: 04/28/2005
Notification Time: 14:43 [ET]
Event Date: 04/28/2005
Event Time: 08:46 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 04/28/2005
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
WILLIAM JOHNSON (R4)
ROBERT PIERSON (NMSS)
JOE FOSTER (email) ()
CNSNS (Fax) ()

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - TWO LOST NUCLEAR GAUGES

The State provided the following information via facsimile:

"On 4/28/05 at about 8:46 am, Pacific Soils Engineering, Inc. notified (Radiologic Health Branch) RHB that two nuclear gauges were stolen from a construction site at Oak Valley Parkway, Beaumont, CA. The stolen nuclear gauges were CPN Model M3 with a S/N M330506989 and M38058248 (each gauge contains Am-241/Be, 50 mCi, and Cs-137, 10 mCi).

"According to [licensee] RSO, the nuclear gauges were stored securely, at about 5:00 pm on 4/27/05, in the steel office trailer located at the construction site. The next day, at about 6:15 am, the technicians found that a break-in occurred and the two nuclear gauges were missing. The chain that secured the nuclear gauges was cut off. The local police and Riverside county environmental health were also notified."

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Power Reactor Event Number: 41657
Facility: PERRY
Region: 3 State: OH
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-6
NRC Notified By: STEVEN BENEDICT
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ
Notification Date: 05/02/2005
Notification Time: 09:43 [ET]
Event Date: 05/02/2005
Event Time: 06:11 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 05/02/2005
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(i) - PLANT S/D REQD BY TS
Person (Organization):
DAVE PASSEHL (R3)

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
1 N N 0 Startup 0 Cold Shutdown

Event Text

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION REQUIRED SHUTDOWN - REACTOR VESSEL LEVEL INSTRUMENTATION

"On 5/1/05 at 19:16, the plant entered MODE 2 and began a reactor startup. After withdrawing control rods, but prior to criticality, perturbations were noticed on reactor vessel level indications and control rod withdrawal was halted.

"At 22:32 control rods were inserted in reverse order to maintain the reactor subcritical. At that time, level instrumentation associated with the 'A' level reference leg was declared inoperable. All control rods were inserted at 23:02 in Mode 2.

"At 23:32 on 5/1/05 a 12 hour shutdown statement was entered due to the inoperable level instrumentation. Efforts were underway to troubleshoot and restore the level Instrumentation.

"On 5/2/05 at 06:11 the reactor mode switch was placed in shutdown - level instrumentation will not be restored within the time allowed by Technical Specifications. Instrument fill and vent procedures are being implemented at this time. The plant expects to enter Mode 2 later today."

Technical specification 3.3.6.1 requires restoration within one hour, shutdown within 12 hours. This reference leg level affects both the wide and narrow range level instruments and feed into the Reactor Protective System, Emergency Core Cooling System Instrumentation, and Isolation Instrumentation systems.

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

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Hospital Event Number: 41658
Rep Org: DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS
Licensee: DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS
Region: 1
City: DURHAM State: NC
County:
License #: 03-23853-01VA
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: PAUL YURKO
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ
Notification Date: 05/02/2005
Notification Time: 11:10 [ET]
Event Date: 04/29/2005
Event Time: [EDT]
Last Update Date: 05/02/2005
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
20.1906(d)(1) - SURFACE CONTAM LEVELS > LIMITS
Person (Organization):
RICHARD BARKLEY (R1)
TOM ESSIG (NMSS)
DAVE PASSEHL (R3)

Event Text

SHIPMENT RECEIVED WITH EXTERNAL REMOVABLE CONTAMINATION


"A package [was received] that exceeded the limits for removable radioactive surface contamination. The package was received on Friday, April 29, 2005, by a permittee authorized under the master materials license issued to the Department of Veterans Affairs, NRC License 03-23853-01 VA. The permittee is the VA Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. The permittee did not notify the NHPP [National Health Physics Program] until today, May 2, 2005 at approximately 1030 EDT.

"The basis for reporting is under 10 CFR20.1906(d)(1) in that the package, an ammo box being used to deliver radioactive materials, had approximately 840 DPM per square centimeter removable radioactive contamination on the outside.

"The contamination was limited to one small spot on the ammo box exterior. The interior of the box was not contaminated.

"The contamination was identified as Tc [-99m].

"The Cardinal Health Nuclear Pharmacy Services delivered the package.

"The permittee Radiation Safety Officer notified the vendor about the package."

The shipment was by an exclusive use vehicle. The ammo box contained 2 vials with 60.4 mCi Xe-133 and 35 mCi Tc-99m.

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Power Reactor Event Number: 41659
Facility: WATERFORD
Region: 4 State: LA
Unit: [3] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [3] CE
NRC Notified By: MURILLO/ SCOTT
HQ OPS Officer: CHAUNCEY GOULD
Notification Date: 05/02/2005
Notification Time: 12:18 [ET]
Event Date: 05/02/2005
Event Time: 07:55 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 05/02/2005
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A) - DEGRADED CONDITION
Person (Organization):
TROY PRUETT (R4)

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
3 N N 0 Refueling 0 Refueling

Event Text

DURING STEAM GENERATOR TUBE INSPECTION - GREATER THAN 1% (106 TUBES) OF THE TUBES WERE FOUND DEFECTIVE

"On May 2, 2005, with Waterford 3 in Mode 6, it was determined that Steam Generator 1 In-Service Inspection had identified more than 1 % defective tubes. Per Technical Specification table 4.4.2-C. this percentage of defective tubes is characterized as "C-3" and should be reported to the NRC. Accordingly, this event is being reported pursuant to 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(ii) as an 8-Hr Non-Emergency Degraded Condition.

"In addition, per Technical Specification 4.4.4.5, the final results of the Steam Generator tube inspection, which fall into category C-3, shall be reported in a special report within 30 days and prior to resumption of plant operation."

Defective tubes will be plugged.

The NRC Resident Inspector was notified.

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Power Reactor Event Number: 41660
Facility: WOLF CREEK
Region: 4 State: KS
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: DAVID DEES
HQ OPS Officer: CHAUNCEY GOULD
Notification Date: 05/02/2005
Notification Time: 20:47 [ET]
Event Date: 05/02/2005
Event Time: 16:20 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 05/02/2005
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
26.73 - FITNESS FOR DUTY
Person (Organization):
TROY PRUETT (R4)

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
1 N N 0 Refueling 0 Refueling

Event Text

SUSPICIOUS SUBSTANCE FOUND ON FLOOR OF MAINTENANCE BUILDING

An employee discovered a substance wrapped in paper lying on the floor of the Maintenance Building. The substance is being submitted to the state laboratory for further analysis.

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

Contact Headquarters Operations Officer for additional details.

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, March 24, 2021