| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
09/13/2012 - 09/14/2012 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | Agreement State | Event Number: 48280 | Rep Org: MA RADIATION CONTROL PROGRAM
Licensee: BERKSHIRE MEDICAL CENTER
Region: 1
City: PITTSFIELD State: MA
County:
License #: SN-1439
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: MICHAEL P WHALEN
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER | Notification Date: 09/06/2012
Notification Time: 11:17 [ET]
Event Date: 05/24/2012
Event Time: [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/06/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
RICHARD CONTE (R1DO)
FSME RESOURCE (EMAI)
|
| This material event contains a "Category 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - RECOVERED PACEMAKER
"A patient with a Pu-238 pacemaker died on 5/16/12 and was scheduled to be buried on 5/26/2012. Berkshire Medical Center (BMC) observed the obituary in the newspaper on 5/24/2012 and contacted funeral home to retrieve the pacemaker. The funeral home still possessed the pacemaker as it was extracted before the patient was cremated. On 5/24/2012, the BMC Radiation Safety Officer retrieved the pacemaker. Radiation measurements of the pacemaker were less than 1 mR/hr near the surface and not detectable above background at 1 meter. Leak tests were also not detectable above background.
"BMC registered the source with the DOE Off-Site Recovery Project (OSRP) to have it disposed."
Category 3 sources, if not safely managed or securely protected, could cause permanent injury to a person who handled them, or were otherwise in contact with them, for some hours. It could possibly - although it is unlikely - be fatal to be close to this amount of unshielded radioactive material for a period of days to weeks. These sources are typically used in practices such as fixed industrial gauges involving high activity sources (for example: level gauges, dredger gauges, conveyor gauges and spinning pipe gauges) and well logging. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf. |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 48281 | Rep Org: SC DIV OF HEALTH & ENV CONTROL
Licensee: STERIS ISOMEDIX SERVICES
Region: 1
City: SPARTANBURG State: SC
County:
License #: 267
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: MARK L. WINDHAM
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER | Notification Date: 09/06/2012
Notification Time: 16:25 [ET]
Event Date: 09/06/2012
Event Time: 06:02 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/06/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
RICHARD CONTE (R1DO)
FSME EVENT RESOURCE (EMAI)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - SOURCE RACK STUCK IN UNSHIELDED POSITION
The State of South Carolina submitted the following information via email:
"The SC Department of Health and Environmental Control [SCDHEC] was notified on Thursday, September 6, 2012, at 1500 EDT, that rack #2 failed to return to a shielded position at 0605 EDT due to a cleaning rag that was inadvertently wrapped around the source rack hoist cable. The RSO/Maintenance Manager for the facility stated that authorized personnel were able to clear the obstruction and return the rack to a shielded position at 0700 EDT. There were no personnel exposures and no equipment damage.
"This event is open and pending the licensee's investigation and report to the SCDHEC. Updates will be made through the national NMED system." |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 48300 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: HALLIBURTON
Region: 4
City: HOUSTON State: TX
County:
License #: 02113
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ART TUCKER
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 09/12/2012
Notification Time: 08:37 [ET]
Event Date: 09/11/2012
Event Time: 21:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 09/13/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
RYAN LANTZ (R4DO)
BRIAN MCDERMOTT (FSME)
JANE MARSHALL (IRD)
MEXICO (E-MA)
JIM WHITNEY (ILTA)
DEBORAH HASSEL (DHS)
FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (E-MA)
|
| This material event contains a "Category 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST AM-241/BE WELL LOGGING SOURCE
The following information was obtained from the Texas Department of State Health Services Radiation Branch via e-mail:
"On September 11, 2012, the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] was notified by the licensee that an Americium-241/ Beryllium [well logging] source could not be located. The source had been used earlier that day at a well site near Pecos, Texas. The well logging crew left the Pecos site and went about 130 miles to a well site south of Odessa, Texas. When the crew went to remove the Am-241 source they discovered the source transport container lock and plug were not in place and that the source was missing. The crew returned to the well site near Pecos and searched for the source, but did not find it. The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) stated that the lock was found in the storage compartment in the back of the truck. The transport container plug was not in the container. The RSO stated they were putting together a group to look for the source along the roadway between the two locations.
"The RSO stated that the crew stated that they did not stop anywhere along the route between the two locations. The RSO stated they were verifying that using the vehicles black box. The RSO agreed to contact the appropriate local law enforcement. The RSO stated he would send a copy of the latest dose rate readings for the source to the Agency.
"The Agency has notified their local inspectors of the event. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300 [Reporting Material Events]."
The source was described as approximately 7 inches long by 1 inch in diameter stainless steel cylinder. The State has not requested any assistance in locating the source at this time.
Texas Report I-8988
* * * UPDATE AT 1744 EDT ON 09/12/12 FROM ART TUCKER TO S. SANDIN * * *
The following update was received from the State of Texas via fax:
"[At] 1430 hours [CDT] the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] was contacted by the licensee and provided the following information.
"The licensee has completed a press release which provides a description of the source, actions to take if found, and stated that they would offer a reward. The press release will be issued by their Public Information Group. The licensee has completed logging of the well near Pecos and the source was not located.
"The licensee stated that the well site had been searched and surveyed twice. The licensee stated that the road between Pecos and Odessa had been surveyed using well logging tools extended from pickup trucks and driven between 5 and 10 miles per hour and the source was not found. The licensee stated they have had people on the ground searching, but did not know how much area away from the well site in Pecos had been searched.
"The licensee has sent a Radiation Safety Officer and a second supervisor to the Pecos well site. The RSO is bringing scintillation survey instruments to the well site for additional surveys. An Agency inspector will meet the RSO at the well site.
"The licensee has reviewed the well logging data and confirmed that the source was installed on the tool during logging operations. The licensee has performed preliminary interviews with the operator involved. The licensee indicated that additional interviews are required. They have not been able to determine how the source could have been lost during transport. The licensee stated that they completed a review of the truck's black box and confirmed that the truck did not stop while traveling between the two well sites.
"The license stated that the local sheriff has responded to the Pecos location and was interviewing the tool operators. The licensee stated they believe that the group supervisor involved had been evaluated under the IC's [Increased Controls] as trust worthy and reliable.
"The licensee stated that other entities at the well site as well as the lease holder have been notified of the event. The licensee stated that they will continue to search for the source until it can be located. The Agency has offered their assistance to the licensee. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA - 300 [Reporting Material Events]."
Notified R4DO (Lantz) and FSME (McDermott), IRD (Marshall), ILTAB (Whitney) and Mexico via email/fax.
* * * UPDATE ON 9/13/12 AT 1015 EDT FROM ART TUCKER TO HUFFMAN * * *
The following update was received from the State of Texas via e-mail:
"A third search of the well site was completed on September 12, 2012 at 2030 hours. The source was not found. The licensee will resume the search early today. The licensee stated that surveys will be conducted on the road between Odessa and Pecos today. The licensee stated that a mud pit at the Pecos site will be logged today. The logging truck is at their shop in Odessa now and they are literally stripping it down, removing every piece of equipment looking for the source. The licensee stated that the three individuals who were conducting the well logging operations when the source was lost were interviewed by individuals from the Federal Bureau of Investigation working with the Department of Transportation. The licensee stated that the FBI would only say that they believed there was no criminal activity involved with the missing source. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA - 300."
Notified R4DO (Lantz) and FSME (McDermott), IRD (Marshall), ILTAB (Whitney) and Mexico via email.
THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "CATEGORY 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
Category 3 sources, if not safely managed or securely protected, could cause permanent injury to a person who handled them, or were otherwise in contact with them, for some hours. It could possibly - although it is unlikely - be fatal to be close to this amount of unshielded radioactive material for a period of days to weeks. These sources are typically used in practices such as fixed industrial gauges involving high activity sources (for example: level gauges, dredger gauges, conveyor gauges and spinning pipe gauges) and well logging. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 48301 | Facility: COOPER
Region: 4 State: NE
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4
NRC Notified By: CURTIS MARTIN
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 09/12/2012
Notification Time: 09:33 [ET]
Event Date: 09/12/2012
Event Time: 08:06 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 09/13/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
RYAN LANTZ (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 TECHNICAL SUPPORT CENTER OUT OF SERVICE FOR PLANNED MAINTENANCE
"A planned maintenance activity at Cooper Nuclear Station will remove the TSC [Technical Support Center] ventilation system from service. The TSC ventilation system will be rendered non-functional during this maintenance period. The repair to the TSC ventilation is expected to last less than 2 days.
"If an emergency is declared requiring TSC activation during this period, the TSC will be staffed and activated using existing emergency planning procedures unless uninhabitable due to ambient temperature, radiological, or other conditions. CNS Station procedures provide appropriate monitoring and compensatory measures to ensure habitability of the TSC and, if necessary, instructions for relocation of TSC personnel should the need arise. In the event of TSC activation, maintenance will be expedited to restore ventilation to service.
"This notification is being made in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii) due to the loss of an Emergency Response Facility (ERF). An update will be provided once the TSC ventilation system has been restored to normal operation.
"The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector."
* * * UPDATE FROM CURTIS MARTIN TO PETE SNYDER AT 1026 EDT ON 9/13/12 * * *
At 0910 CDT on 9/13/12 the TSC ventilation system has been returned to service. The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R4DO (Lantz). |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 48304 | Facility: CATAWBA
Region: 2 State: SC
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: SCOTT MILTON
HQ OPS Officer: DONG HWA PARK | Notification Date: 09/13/2012
Notification Time: 13:08 [ET]
Event Date: 09/13/2012
Event Time: 07:40 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/13/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
SCOTT SHAEFFER (R2DO)
|
| 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 TECHNICAL SUPPORT CENTER (TSC) UNAVAILABLE DUE TO VENTILATION SYSTEM FAILURE
"On 09/13/12 at 0740 [EDT] the TSC ventilation was determined to be non-functional. Investigation is underway to determine the cause of the ventilation failure and make the necessary repairs. While the TSC is unavailable, the Catawba Emergency Plan has provisions to relocate TSC personnel if required to the alternate TSC location."
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. The licensee will inform State and local agencies as a courtesy. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 48305 | Facility: POINT BEACH
Region: 3 State: WI
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-2-LP,[2] W-2-LP
NRC Notified By: MARY SIPIORSKI
HQ OPS Officer: DONG HWA PARK | Notification Date: 09/13/2012
Notification Time: 19:36 [ET]
Event Date: 09/13/2012
Event Time: 14:28 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 09/13/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
MICHAEL KUNOWSKI (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 TECHNICAL SUPPORT CENTER NON-FUNCTIONAL DUE TO TSC VENTILATION EQUIPMENT ISSUE
"The Technical Support Center (TSC) at the Point Beach Nuclear Plant (PBNP) is non-functional as a result of conservatively securing an exhaust fan that exhibited an abnormal noise in the TSC Ventilation system. The fan is currently in service and being monitored as part of the troubleshooting, with maintenance repair plans being conducted in parallel.
"Functional Alternate locations described in the emergency plan procedures for events resulting in radiological conditions affecting habitability will be used and are currently available. The Control Room or EOF will be selected as the alternate facility. If an emergency is declared requiring TSC activation during this period, the TSC will be staffed and activated using the procedure and functional facilities selected.
"This notification is being made in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii) due to the loss of an Emergency Response Facility (ERF). An update will be provided once the TSC ventilation system has been restored to normal operation."
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. | |