| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
09/06/2012 - 09/07/2012 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | Agreement State | Event Number: 48248 | Rep Org: ARIZONA RADIATION REGULATORY AGENCY
Licensee: LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY
Region: 4
City: LOS ALAMOS State: NM
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: AUBREY GODWIN
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH | Notification Date: 08/29/2012
Notification Time: 13:04 [ET]
Event Date: 08/29/2012
Event Time: [MDT]
Last Update Date: 08/29/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
DAVID PROULX (R4DO)
FSME RESOURCE EMAIL ()
MICHELE BURGESS (FSME)
| Event Text ARIZONA AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - ARIZONA WORKER CONTAMINATED WHILE WORKING AT LOS ALAMOS IN NEW MEXICO
The following information was obtained from the state of Arizona via email:
"On Saturday, August 25, 2012, the Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency was informed by Tempe Fire Department that they responded to a 911 call for assistance from a private citizen who indicated that he may have received a possible radiation exposure/contamination while working at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. The Tempe Fire Department conducted a radiation survey and found that the shoes were the source of the radioactive contamination.
"At 2315 hours MDT, on August 25, 2012, DOE Region 4 sent a radiological response team to Tempe, AZ to investigate and perform a radiological survey of the item/s reported with the radiation contamination. A radiation survey, using a Ludlum survey meter with a beta detector, provided a positive result for contamination on a few articles, bottom of both shoes (350 cpm above background) and a pair of underwear (measured 850 cpm above background).
"On Tuesday August 28, 2012, the following occurred:
-The source of the contamination as reported by DOE RAP Teams Region 4 is Technetium-99. (Half-Life is 211,000 years and is a Beta emitter)
-It is reported that 13 to 16 individuals may be contaminated with the Tc99.
-It is reported that several automobiles and other personal articles have been located in New Mexico and were moved to an isolated area.
-ARRA laboratory is now in possession/control of the clothing and will conduct a laboratory analysis to determine and confirm the source of the radioactive material.
-ARRA reported levels of Beta Radiation several times above background on both the shoes and underwear.
-DOE Los Alamos National Laboratory Waste Management team has recovered the contaminated items from ARRA with a chain of custody for the record.
"The Los Alamos National Laboratory has released the following information regarding this event:
" 'Los Alamos National Laboratory is investigating the inadvertent spread of some Technetium-99 by employees and contractors at the Lujan Neutron Scattering Center at LANSCE [Los Alamos Neutron Science Center]. It's been determined that about a dozen people were exposed, and some tracked small amounts of Technetium 99 off-site. The contamination poses no danger to the public.
" 'The Laboratory and Department of Energy RAP teams (Radiological Assistance Program) have been working to survey, assess, and where needed, decontaminate all affected people and property. The teams will continue to address all possible escape paths to be certain that all off-site contamination has been appropriately characterized and remediated. So far, based on multiple direct measurements, no exposures to Lab workers or the public pose a health risk.'"
"The Agency [ Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency] continues to investigate.
"The Governor's Office, state of New Mexico and the U.S. NRC are being notified of this event." |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 48249 | Rep Org: VIRGINIA RAD MATERIALS PROGRAM
Licensee: HURT & PROFFITT
Region: 1
City: RUSTBURG State: VA
County: CAMPBELL
License #: 680-346-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: CHARLES COLEMAN
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH | Notification Date: 08/29/2012
Notification Time: 14:30 [ET]
Event Date: 08/29/2012
Event Time: 10:30 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/29/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
JOHN ROGGE (R1DO)
FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (EMAI)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST THEN RECOVERED TROXLER MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
The following information was obtained from the Commonwealth of Virginia via facsimile:
"On August 29, 2012 at 10:30 a.m., the licensee reported that a Troxler Model 3440 portable density gauge was missing. The gauge, in its transport case, apparently fell from the licensee's truck during transport. The licensee notified the local law enforcement and initiated a search for the gauge. At 11:45 a.m., the licensee reported that the gauge had been found by a local resident who called the licensee. The RSO verified that neither the gauge nor the transport case was damaged. The Virginia Radioactive Material Program is investigating the cause of the incident."
Virginia Event Number: VA-12-05 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 48254 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: HENLEY-JOHNSTON & ASSOCIATES, INC.
Region: 4
City: DALLAS State: TX
County:
License #: L00286
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KAREN BLANCHARD
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN | Notification Date: 08/30/2012
Notification Time: 13:25 [ET]
Event Date: 08/30/2012
Event Time: 09:45 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/30/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
DAVID PROULX (R4DO)
FSME RESOURCE (EMAI)
ILTAB via email ()
MEXICO via fax ()
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN TROXLER MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
The following information was received from the State of Texas via email:
"On August 30, 2012, the licensee notified the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] that at approximately 0945 hrs CDT a Troxler model 3430 moisture/density gauge, containing a 40 millicurie Americium-241/Beryllium source and an 8 millicurie Cesium-137 source, had been stolen out of the back of one of its pickup trucks [a white Chevrolet C-1500] outside a hotel in Lubbock, Texas. The licensee's employee had gone inside to check out of the hotel and when he came back outside he found both chains securing the gauge had been cut and the gauge was gone. The local police department was notified by the employee. The licensee will notify the manufacturer and other gauge service companies. The Agency will notify the Texas Association of Pawn Brokers. An investigation into this event is ongoing and information will be updated as it is received per SA-300 [Reporting Material Events].
"Gauge Information: Troxler Model 3430, Serial # 25088
"Sources: Americium-241/Beryllium -- 40 millicuries -- Serial #75-7262, Cesium-137 -- 8 millicuries -- 47-21295"
Texas Incident #: I-8981
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 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 48256 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: MDI OF ABILENE
Region: 4
City: ABILENE State: TX
County:
License #: L06133
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: CHRIS MOORE
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN | Notification Date: 08/30/2012
Notification Time: 14:53 [ET]
Event Date: 08/30/2012
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/30/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
DAVID PROULX (R4DO)
FSME RESOURCE (EMAI)
ILTAB via email ()
MEXICO via fax ()
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - IMPROPER SALE AND TRANSFER OF RADIOACTIVE SOURCE
The following information was received from the State of Texas via email:
"On August 30, 2012, a company contracted by a licensee to conduct a closeout of an imaging facility notified the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] that the licensee had sold an ADAC Gamma/PET Camera early in 2012 without proper shipping and transfer paperwork and with a 20 millicurie Cesium-137 seal source located inside the PET scanner. The PET scanner with internal source was brokered and sold to a company overseas. Details of the date of sale, broker company, and who purchased the device are unknown. An investigation into this event is ongoing and information will be updated as it is received per SA 300 [Reporting Material Events].
"The State of Texas event number for this event is I - 8982.
"Equipment: ADAC Gamma/PET Camera
"Source: Cesium-137 -- 20 millicuries -- CZ882"
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. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 48282 | Facility: QUAD CITIES
Region: 3 State: IL
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-3,[2] GE-3
NRC Notified By: BRIAN MAGNUSON
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ | Notification Date: 09/06/2012
Notification Time: 18:39 [ET]
Event Date: 09/06/2012
Event Time: 13:14 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 09/06/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(v)(C) - POT UNCNTRL RAD REL
| Person (Organization):
KENNETH RIEMER (R3DO)
|
| 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 LOSS OF SECONDARY CONTAINMENT VENTILATION FOR EIGHT SECONDS
"On September 6, 2012, at 1314 hours, the reactor building ventilation system was being restored to service following planned maintenance and surveillance activities. During the reactor building pressure transition when restoring reactor building ventilation (from the Standby Gas Treatment System), an employee entered a secondary containment interlock and identified a door leading to the environment had opened. The employee immediately secured the door and notified Operations personnel. A review of the door alarm history determined the door was open for approximately eight seconds.
"Given the temporary breech in secondary containment, this event is reportable under 50.72(b)(3)(v)(C) as an event or condition that could have prevented the fulfillment of a safety function."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 48283 | Facility: BEAVER VALLEY
Region: 1 State: PA
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-3-LP,[2] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: ROBERT KRISTOPHEL
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER | Notification Date: 09/06/2012
Notification Time: 19:20 [ET]
Event Date: 09/06/2012
Event Time: 14:16 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/06/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) - ACCIDENT MITIGATION
| Person (Organization):
RICHARD CONTE (R1DO)
|
| 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 BOTH OFFSITE POWER SOURCES INOPERABLE
"At 1416 EDT, after consultation with the Unit 1 control room, the #1 138 KV bus in the Beaver Valley switchyard was deenergized by the grid system operator in response to a degraded switchyard breaker. The bus loss caused the Unit 1 A train offsite power supply to be inoperable. The Unit 1 B train offsite power supply was previously inoperable due to planned maintenance on its transformer cooling fan control circuit. The Unit 1 B train offsite power supply remained energized and available during this event. Both Emergency Diesel Generators remained operable and both emergency buses remained energized from the onsite source and operable during this event.
"At 1425 EDT the #1 138 KV bus was re-energized. The planned maintenance was completed on the B train offsite power supply transformer. Following testing, at 1452 EDT both offsite power supplies were declared operable.
"This notification is provided in accordance with 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) since both offsite power supplies were inoperable from 1416 EDT to 1452 EDT on 9/6/12."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 48284 | Facility: OCONEE
Region: 2 State: SC
Unit: [ ] [ ] [3]
RX Type: [1] B&W-L-LP,[2] B&W-L-LP,[3] B&W-L-LP
NRC Notified By: ERIC J DOYLE
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ | Notification Date: 09/06/2012
Notification Time: 23:28 [ET]
Event Date: 09/05/2012
Event Time: 20:06 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/06/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
MARK LESSER (R2DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 3 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text INOPERABLE ACCIDENT RADIATION MONITORS
"This is a non-emergency report. No actual event has occurred.
"At 2006 EDT, on 9/5/2012, Oconee Nuclear Station Operations declared the radiation monitors out of service for Low Gas Unit Vent monitoring (3RIA-45) and High Gas Unit monitoring (3RIA-46) when the Unit 3 Vent Skid lost its internal memory during a monthly PM to replace the filter cartridge. These monitors are used for determination of Emergency Action Levels (EALs) in ALL modes.
"Oconee Nuclear Station did not initially recognize that criteria for reporting in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72 (b)(3)(xiii) (Major Loss of Emergency Preparedness Capabilities) was met and acknowledge this notification is outside of the eight (8) hour notification window.
"There is no adverse impact on nuclear safety. Redundant methods for sampling and determination of activity levels were implemented per SLC 16.11.3.
"This report is submitted based upon a loss of emergency assessment capability in accordance with 50.72(b)(3)(xiii).
"Redundant methodology was employed [when the inoperable status was recognized].
"Repair and restoration of the effected radiation monitors was completed at 2145 on 9/6/2012.
"The NRC Resident Inspector has been informed." | |