| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
08/02/2012 - 08/03/2012 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | !!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!! | | Power Reactor | Event Number: 47863 | Facility: POINT BEACH
Region: 3 State: WI
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-2-LP,[2] W-2-LP
NRC Notified By: ALEX RIVAS
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO | Notification Date: 04/25/2012
Notification Time: 22:42 [ET]
Event Date: 04/25/2012
Event Time: 21:06 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/02/2012 | Emergency Class: ALERT
10 CFR Section:
50.72(a) (1) (i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED
| Person (Organization):
JULIO LARA (R3DO)
JOHN LUBINSKI (NRR)
CYNTHIA PEDERSON (R3 R)
BRUCE BOGER (NRR)
JASON KOZAL (IRD)
ELLIOT BRENNER (PAO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | | 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text ALERT DECLARED DUE TO TOXIC GAS BUILD UP FOLLOWING AN EMERGENCY DIESEL GENERATOR TEST RUN
On April 25, 2012 at 2106 CDT, Point Beach Nuclear Plant declared an Alert under EAL HA3.1 due to toxic gas in a vital area. During a maintenance run on the plant's emergency diesel generator, diesel exhaust caused the concentration of carbon monoxide in an adjacent vital area room (Plant Instrument Air Compressor Room) to exceed OSHA IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health) levels. The diesel was immediately secured and the room was ventilated. There were no personnel injuries and no public health and safety issues associated with this event.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
Notified DHS SWO, FEMA, USDA, DOE, DHS NICC, HHS AND EPA.
* * * UPDATE FROM JOHN RODGERS TO JOHN SHOEMAKER AT 0022 EDT ON 04/26/12 * * *
The Alert at Point Beach was terminated at 2314 CDT on 04/25/12.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R3DO (Lara), NRR EO (Lubinski), IRD (Scott via email only).
Notified DHS SWO, FEMA, USDA, DOE, DHS NICC, HHS, EPA, and Nuclear SSA (email only).
* * * RETRACTION FROM MARY SIPIORSKI TO CHARLES TEAL AT 1650 EDT ON 8/2/2012 * * *
"On April 25, 2012, at 2106 CDT, Point Beach Nuclear Plant declared an Alert under EAL HA3.1 (EN #47863) due to toxic gas in a vital area. During a maintenance run on the plant's emergency diesel generator, diesel exhaust caused the concentration of carbon monoxide in an adjacent vital area room (Plant Instrument Air Compressor Room) to exceed OSHA IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health) levels. The diesel was immediately secured and the room was ventilated. There were no personnel injuries and no public health and safety issues associated with this event.
"This retraction is based on the fact that station personnel incorrectly used an Alert trigger value for toxic gas concentration that was well below the actual value which would pose an immediate danger to life and health. In a subsequent evaluation, NextEra concluded that the station used the carbon monoxide (CO) OSHA limits (OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit 8-hour time weighted average of 50 ppm to 200 ppm short term exposure limit) that are normally monitored for confined spaces. The recommended CO limit value of 1200 ppm was determined to be the correct IDLH for the plant air compressor room, the actual reading in the room was 124 ppm. The plant air compressor room is not a confined space, and is not required to be monitored to the same limits as a confined space.
"Therefore, the Emergency Notification made on April 25, 2012, documenting an Alert due to toxic gas in a vital area is retracted."
The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified.
Notified R3DO (Kunowski). |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 48135 | Rep Org: MA RADIATION CONTROL PROGRAM
Licensee: WALTHAM WATCH COMPANY
Region: 1
City: WALTHAM State: MA
County:
License #: none
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JOSH DAEHLER
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER | Notification Date: 07/26/2012
Notification Time: 13:20 [ET]
Event Date: 07/24/2012
Event Time: [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/26/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
MEL GRAY (R1DO)
FSME EVENT RESOURCE (EMAI)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - MISSING OR ABANDONED AND FOUND RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
"During conversion of the former Waltham Watch Co. property to offices and apartments the property owner discovered sub-floor areas to be contaminated with radium-226 and americium-241.
"The consultant submitted that the property had functioned as a watch factory; that during World War II the site was used to support the war effort; and that radium was used in self-luminous paints for watches, nuclear panels, aircraft switches, clocks, and instrument dials starting in the early 1900s and was still used as late as the 1960s. The americium was likely not part of the dial painting process and may have been associated with a former tenant.
"The consultant reported on radioactive waste manifest dated July 24, 2012 that a total of 890 microCuries (approximately 727 microCuries of americium-241 and approximately 163 microCuries of radium-226) was removed from the property. These materials are in addition to 10 microCuries of radium-226 that was removed from the property on May 23, 2012. In aggregate, the activities of materials meet the reporting requirements of 105 CMR 120.281(A)(1). Radioactive materials discovered and removed were mostly found under layers of flooring in areas of original wood subflooring materials in apartments not yet inhabited. The americium-241 was confined to two areas whereas the radium-226 was discovered in many areas. Final status surveys performed by the consultant indicate that no radioactivity is present above natural background levels in post-remediation areas.
"The Agency [Massachusetts Radiation Control Program] continues to investigate this incident and has performed on-site inspection of the specifically licensed person providing decontamination and decommissioning services to the property owner of the site."
THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf
This source is not amongst those sources or devices identified by the IAEA Code of Conduct for the Safety & Security of Radioactive Sources to be of concern from a radiological standpoint. Therefore is it being categorized as a less than Category 3 source |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 48137 | Rep Org: PA BUREAU OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
Region: 1
City: PHILADELPHIA State: PA
County:
License #: PA-0131
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JOHN S. CHIPPO
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER | Notification Date: 07/26/2012
Notification Time: 15:24 [ET]
Event Date: 07/26/2012
Event Time: [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/26/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
MEL GRAY (R1DO)
FSME EVENT RESOURCE (EMAI)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - MEDICAL EVENT INVOLVING AN UNDERDOSE WITH YTTRIUM-90 SPHERES
"Event Type: A medical event (ME) involving the administration of yttrium-90 SIR-Spheres which is reportable under 10 CFR 35.3045(a)(1)(i).
"Notifications: On July 25, 2012, the Department's Southeast Regional Office received notification via telephone about this event.
"Event Description: The patient received 77% of the intended dose.
"Cause of the Event: Currently under investigation and unknown at this time.
"Actions: No harm to the patient is expected. The Department [PA Bureau of Radiation Protection] plans to do a reactive inspection. Updates will be provided upon receipt of information."
A Medical Event may indicate potential problems in a medical facility's use of radioactive materials. It does not necessarily result in harm to the patient. |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 48138 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: APEX GEOSCIENCES INC.
Region: 4
City: TYLER State: TX
County:
License #: 04929
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: CHRIS MOORE
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER | Notification Date: 07/26/2012
Notification Time: 15:43 [ET]
Event Date: 07/26/2012
Event Time: 14:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 07/27/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
JAMES DRAKE (R4DO)
FSME EVENT RESOURCE (EMAI)
MEXICO (FAX)
DARYL JOHNSON (ILTA)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - MISSING MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
"At 1400 on July 26, 2012, the Agency [Texas Department of Health] was notified by the licensee that a Humboldt Scientific Inc. (HSI) Model 5001 moisture density gauge was missing and suspected as stolen by a company employee. The employee, a company truck, 2012 white Toyota Tacoma, and the moisture density gauge have been missing all day. The worker failed to report to a job site this morning and his wife reported that she had no contact with him yesterday. Local law enforcement was notified. The gauge contained 10 millicuries of cesium-137 and 40 millicuries of americium-241.
"The State of Texas event number for this event is I-8972."
* * * UPDATE AT 1241 EDT ON 7/27/12 FROM CHRIS MOORE TO PETE SNYDER * * *
"At 0830 on July 27, 2012, the Agency [Texas Department of Health] was notified by the licensee that the Humboldt Scientific Model 5001 Moisture Density gauge reported stolen on July 26, 2012, had been recovered. The licensee stated that the missing worker called the company and reported that the truck with gauge was parked at his residence. The licensee recovered the gauge. The licensee stated that the gauge was still locked and stowed properly in the truck. The licensee stated that an inspection and radiation survey of the moisture density gauge was found to be normal. The employee was fired."
Notified the R4DO(Drake), ILTAB(Johnson), FSME Events Resource(Email), and Mexico.
THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf |
| Part 21 | Event Number: 48146 | Rep Org: QUALTECH NP CURTISS WRIGHT
Licensee: QUALTECH NP CURTISS WRIGHT
Region: 3
City: CINCINNATI State: OH
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: TIM FRANCHUK
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 08/01/2012
Notification Time: 10:56 [ET]
Event Date: 08/01/2012
Event Time: [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/02/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
21.21(d)(3)(i) - DEFECTS AND NONCOMPLIANCE
| Person (Organization):
TAMARA BLOOMER (R3DO)
PART 21 GROUP (EMAI)
| Event Text POTENTIAL PART 21 ISSUE RELATED TO TYCO TIMING RELAY
The following information was provided via facsimile:
"QualTech NP is providing this notification as a potential 10 CFR Part 21 issue. We have discovered a manufacturing defect in a timing relay which prevents the relay from operating at a specific setting. This relay was purchased as a commercial grade item and dedicated through our dedication process for safety related applications at our Cincinnati facility.
"The subject equipment is TYCO Model CNT-35-96, a timing relay with adjustable trip ranges from seconds up to 9,990 hours. QualTech NP has recently identified a failure mode for this relay in that the device will not trip in the 10H setting. In communications with the manufacturer, they have confirmed that there is a flaw in the design that prevents this specific setting from tripping.
"QualTech NP has only sold this unit to two plants, both Exelon. We recognize, however that other utilities could have these installed. Based on the information in hand we are evaluating the need for a 10 CFR Part 21 notification. Since the item was qualified under the EPRI SQURTS [Seismic Qualification Reporting and Testing Standardization] Program, the recommended corrective action is to notify EPRI of the condition in order for SQURTS members to perform an impact evaluation.
"Additional details will be provided in the formal written report. Please contact Tim Franchuk at 513-528-7900, ext. 176 (office), [redacted] or via email tfranchuk@curtisswright.com for any additional information."
* * * UPDATE ON 8/2/12 AT 1659 EDT FROM MARGIE BREWER TO DONG PARK * * *
The licensee has revised the third paragraph to read as follows:
"QualTech NP has only sold this unit to two plants, Exelon LaSalle and Quad Cities. We recognize, however that other utilities could have these installed. Based on the information in hand we are evaluating the need for a 10 CFR Part 21 notification. Since the item was qualified under the EPRI SQURTS [Seismic Qualification Reporting and Testing Standardization] Program, QualTech NP recognizes that other SQURTS members may have used the qualification basis as part of licensee dedication activities, and therefore, will notify EPRI of the condition."
Notified R3DO (Kunowski) and Part 21 group via email. |
| General Information | Event Number: 48150 | Rep Org: BETTER ROADS ASPHALT CORP
Licensee: BETTER ROADS ASPHALT CORP
Region: 1
City: SAJARDO State: PR
County:
License #: 52-19845-01
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DAVID RHOE
HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL | Notification Date: 08/01/2012
Notification Time: 17:14 [ET]
Event Date: 08/01/2012
Event Time: 11:45 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/02/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
INFORMATION ONLY
| Person (Organization):
PAUL KROHN (R1DO)
FSME EVENT RESOURCE (EMAI)
| Event Text DAMAGED CPN MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
A construction roller damaged the outer housing of a CPN moisture density gauge while it was sitting on the asphalt. The sources were fully contained. A portable radiac verified no abnormal radiation and swipe tests were performed to verify the sources were not leaking.
Gauge Model: MC-1 DRP CPN
Sources:
Cs-137 10 milliCuries
Am-241 50 milliCuries
* * * UPDATE ON 8/2/12 AT 1415 EDT FROM MARIA CORDERO TO DONG PARK * * *
At 1145 EDT on 8/1//12, a construction roller damaged the upper housing of the nuclear gauge. The RSO was notified at 1150 EDT. A Radiation Physicist Consultant from the Department of Health conducted a visual inspection and radiation surveys to verify shielding integrity. The leak tests of the two sources were negative. The authorized user placed the gauge in a shipping case for storage in the company area. The gauge will be returned to the manufacture for repairs.
Notified R1DO (Krohn) and FSME Events Resource via email. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 48151 | Facility: BRUNSWICK
Region: 2 State: NC
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: LEE GRZECK
HQ OPS Officer: DONG HWA PARK | Notification Date: 08/02/2012
Notification Time: 12:08 [ET]
Event Date: 08/02/2012
Event Time: 11:09 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/02/2012 | Emergency Class: UNUSUAL EVENT
10 CFR Section:
OTHER UNSPEC REQMNT
| Person (Organization):
MIKE ERNSTES (R2DO)
MARK KING (NRR)
WILLIAM GOTT (IRD)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | | 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text DISCOVERY OF AFTER-THE-FACT EMERGENCY CONDITION (UNUSUAL EVENT)
"This is a one-hour report for the discovery of a condition which met the Emergency Plan criteria for an emergency action level (EAL) declaration of an Unusual Event (UE). At 0320 hours on August 2, 2012, a flame was observed coming from a hydrogen vent pipe on the Turbine Building roof. At 0519 hours the hydrogen supply from the hydrogen storage facility was secured and the flame was extinguished. At 1109 hours, a detailed review of the event determined that the emergency plan criteria for declaration of an Unusual Event existed due to a flame greater than 15 minutes in the Protected Area. This report is being provided within one hour of the discovery of the undeclared event. As discussed in NUREG 1022, Revision 2, an actual declaration of an Unusual Event is not necessary. The basis for the emergency classification no longer existed at the time of discovery.
"The safety significance of this event is minimal. There was no known damage to plant equipment and no adverse effect to any plant safety systems. This event had no impact on the health and safety of the public."
The NRC Senior Resident Inspector has been notified, as well as the State and local governments. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 48153 | Facility: COOPER
Region: 4 State: NE
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4
NRC Notified By: JOHN MYERS
HQ OPS Officer: DONG HWA PARK | Notification Date: 08/02/2012
Notification Time: 15:51 [ET]
Event Date: 08/02/2012
Event Time: 10:51 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/02/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xii) - OFFSITE MEDICAL
| Person (Organization):
GREG WERNER (R4DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text POTENTIALLY CONTAMINATED INDIVIDUAL TRANSPORTED OFFSITE
"A plant worker was overcome with heat and became unconscious while working in a non-contaminated area inside the Radiological Control Area. Onsite medical personnel determined the individual should be transported to an offsite medical facility for treatment. Radiation protection personnel were unable to fully verify the individual was not contaminated prior to transport to the offsite medical facility. Radiation protection personnel accompanied the individual to the medical facility, and while en route, completed the required surveys. No contamination was found.
"This report is being made in accordance with 10CFR50.72 (b)(3)(xii) for an event requiring the transport of a potentially radioactively contaminated individual to an off-site medical facility for treatment."
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 48154 | Facility: TURKEY POINT
Region: 2 State: FL
Unit: [3] [4] [ ]
RX Type: [3] W-3-LP,[4] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: ROGER MONTGOMERY
HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL | Notification Date: 08/02/2012
Notification Time: 16:16 [ET]
Event Date: 08/02/2012
Event Time: 09:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/02/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
MIKE ERNSTES (R2DO)
LOUISE LUND (NRR)
WILLIAM GOTT (IRD)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 3 | N | N | 0 | Hot Shutdown | 0 | Hot Shutdown | | 4 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text NON-WORK RELATED ONSITE FATALITY
"This is a non-emergency 4 hour informational notification to the NRC in accordance with the reporting requirements of 10CFR50.72(b)(2)(xi).
"At approximately 0900 on 8/02/12, a contract employee suffered a non-work related personal medical event and was transported offsite. The contract employee was pronounced deceased at a local hospital. A courtesy notification was made to OSHA at 1304."
The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. | |