U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Operations Center Event Reports For 02/27/2012 - 02/28/2012 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** | Agreement State | Event Number: 47691 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Licensee: EQUISTAR CHEMICALS LP Region: 4 City: PASADENA State: TX County: License #: 01854 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: ART TUCKER HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD | Notification Date: 02/23/2012 Notification Time: 08:21 [ET] Event Date: 02/22/2012 Event Time: [CST] Last Update Date: 02/23/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE | Person (Organization): RICK DEESE (R4DO) ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME) | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STUCK GAUGE SHUTTER The following information was received via facsimile: "On February 22, 2012, the State of Texas was notified by the licensee that the shutter on an Ohmart SH-F1A nuclear gauge containing 50 millicuries of cesium 137 was found stuck in the open position. The gauge shutter was being closed to reduce dose rates in an area where calibration of equipment was to be done. Open is the normal position for the gauge and the gauge does not create any additional exposure risk to any individual. The licensee is making arrangements with the manufacturer for repairs to the gauge. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300." Texas Incident #: I-8936 | Agreement State | Event Number: 47692 | Rep Org: MA RADIATION CONTROL PROGRAM Licensee: QSA GLOBAL Region: 1 City: BURLINGTON State: MA County: License #: 12-8361 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: JOHN SUMARES HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL | Notification Date: 02/23/2012 Notification Time: 08:28 [ET] Event Date: 01/31/2012 Event Time: [EST] Last Update Date: 02/23/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE | Person (Organization): MEL GRAY (R1DO) ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME) | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - CONTAMINATION LEVELS EXCEED ACTION LEVELS The following was received from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts via facsimile: "On Tuesday, 1/31/12, routine contamination surveys discovered approximately 0.5 nCi of Ir-192 outside of the restricted area on the first floor. The calculated dose for an 8-hour exposure to this RAM is 0.7 mrem. The contamination survey results prompted QSA to perform additional surveys to determine the source of contamination. Survey wipes yielded 10,000 to 30,000 dpm over large areas (approximately 2 feet x 2 feet) at different locations. "Upon investigation, QSA discovered that the exhaust fan on the Ir-192 source production hot cell had been turned 'off.' The exhaust fan was immediately turned back 'on.' About one week earlier, Ir-192 from a supplier was transferred into the hot cell. This operation requires the hot cell exhaust fan to be turned 'off' temporarily. QSA realized that the exhaust fan had not been turned back 'on.' "Radiation workers who performed hot cell production operations during the time the exhaust fan was 'off' were subjected to whole body counts performed at MIT. The whole body counts indicated workers ingested 12 to 20 nCi of Ir-192 and based on the MIT results, the RSO calculated the committed dose to be less than 2 mrem. "Since the contamination discovery, QSA has performed cleaning operations on the first and second floors, daily survey monitoring of the first and second floors, and radiation workers performing production operations using the Ir-192 hot cell have worn full protective clothing suits. QSA reports daily surveys results indicate contamination levels have steadily decreased." Docket No: 14-0067 | |