| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
04/29/2016 - 05/02/2016 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | Agreement State | Event Number: 51876 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
Licensee: UNKNOWN
Region: 4
City: HOUSTON State: TX
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ART TUCKER
HQ OPS Officer: DONG HWA PARK | Notification Date: 04/21/2016
Notification Time: 21:19 [ET]
Event Date: 04/21/2016
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 04/25/2016 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
HEATHER GEPFORD (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)
DANIEL COLLINS (NMSS)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - RADIATION LEVEL ON PACKAGE GREATER THAN LIMITS
The following information was obtained from the State of Texas via email:
"On April 21, 2016, the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] was contacted by the Environmental Protection Agency in response to a notice it had received regarding excessive dose rates coming from a package in shipment. The package was being carried by [a common carrier] and was located at one of its facility in Houston, Texas. The Agency contacted the radiation safety officer (RSO) for [the common carrier]. He stated they had been informed by Customs and Border Patrol that one of their packages was reading higher than expected and they had responded. The RSO stated their surveys indicated dose rates at three feet were 41 mrem per hour and 7 rem per hour on contact with the package. The RSO stated their surveys were not consistent with the dose rates reported by Customs. The RSO stated the package contained a 2.79 (11.84 original activity) curie iridium 192 source being returned to the manufacturer. The source was from a high dose rate after loader being returning from outside the United States. The shipping container was opened and the source was found sitting on top of the shield. The source was placed in a different shield and returned to a safe storage location.
"While the shipper was investigating the event, a person inside the facility called 911. When the hazmat team arrived they performed a radiation survey and decided the dose rates warranted evacuating all the workers from the building. The building was evacuated for more than an hour, but less than two hours.
"[The common carrier] is investigating the event and any possible exposures to their workers. The RSO stated he did not believe any individual of the general public would have exceeded any limits. The RSO and this Agency has scheduled a call on April 22, 2016, to exchange additional information. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."
Texas Incident No.: I-9391
* * * UPDATE AT 0907 EDT ON 04/25/16 FROM ART TUCKER TO S. SANDIN VIA EMAIL * * *
"The Agency contacted the Houston Texas Hazmat Team leader (HTL). They stated their surveys at 200 feet indicated the radiation readings were background. The HTL stated when they arrived the bucket containing the source was on a pallet held in place with plastic wrap and a cinch strap. The HML stated the bucket containing the source was the only item on the pallet. The Hazmat Team (HMT) removed the plastic wrap from the bucket and removed the bucket from the pallet. The bucket (containing the source) was then placed in a 30 gallon container. The container was filled with a dry material containing clay. That container was sealed and placed in a 55 gallon drum. The 55 gallon drum was filled with water and the top placed on the drum. The manufacturer's representative who retrieved the source was contacted. They stated dose rate on the side of the 55 gallon drum was 7 rem/hr (this dose rate was reported as on the side of the package in the initial report.) The dose rate on the top of the source container (package) was 15 rem/hr. He stated he noted the end of the drive cable near and past the source had been damaged. He found that the source was not inside the shield and both security seals were missing from the shipping container."
Notified R4DO (Groom) and NMSS Events Notification via email. |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 51879 | Rep Org: WA OFFICE OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
Region: 4
City: SEATTLE State: WA
County:
License #: WN-C001-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JAMES KILLINGBECK
HQ OPS Officer: DONG HWA PARK | Notification Date: 04/22/2016
Notification Time: 20:00 [ET]
Event Date: 04/20/2016
Event Time: [PDT]
Last Update Date: 04/22/2016 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
HEATHER GEPFORD (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFIC (EMAI)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3 " level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - MISSING STATIC IONIZATION SOURCE
The following report was received from the State of Washington via email:
"On 4/21/2016, the Radiation Safety Officer at University of Washington reported by phone and by email that a Po-210 static ionization source was missing from a lab at the Southlake Union [SLU] Campus. The static ionization source had been placed in a cardboard box in preparation for shipment back to NRD [manufacturer]. Someone in the lab thought the box was empty and placed it in the recycling. This was discovered on Monday, and the lab had been searching for it for a couple of days before notifying the Radiation Safety Officer.
"The immediate report value for Po-210 is 100 microCi and the 30 day report value is 1 microCi.
Source information: Isotope: Po-210, Manufacturer: NRD, Model: P-2001, Initial Activity: 5 mCi (May 2015), Current Activity: approximately 1 mCi
Device information: Nuclespot - Static Eliminator, Manufacturer: NRD, Model: P-2042-1000, Serial Number: Not reported.
"The facilities personnel are currently trying to find out from [the recycling company] where the recycling is taken for processing. [The recycling company] picks up recycling from the SLU campus twice a week on Friday and Tuesday. University of Washington Principal Investigator lab informed NRD of the loss. Once their investigation is complete, UW will provide us [WA Office of Radiation Protection] with a written report as required by WAC 246-221-240(2).
"Incident Number: WA-16-018"
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 |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 51885 | Facility: WATTS BAR
Region: 2 State: TN
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: JOHN TUITE
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD | Notification Date: 04/27/2016
Notification Time: 00:01 [ET]
Event Date: 04/26/2016
Event Time: 22:13 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 04/29/2016 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
FRANK EHRHARDT (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 | N | 0 | Hot Shutdown | 0 | Hot Shutdown | Event Text ALERT AND NOTIFICATION SYSTEM FEEDBACK SYSTEM INOPERABLE
"On April 26, 2016 at 2213 EDT, Watts Bar Nuclear Plant authorized notification of State agencies for the partial loss of the WBN Alert and Notification System (ANS) feedback system. The ANS feedback system provides monitoring capability of the off-site sirens surrounding the facility in the event of a plant Emergency. Without the feedback system in service, sirens may be activated remotely from State and local facilities but verification of successful activation is impaired. State agencies were notified to evaluate if other methods of alerting the public were warranted.
"No compensatory methods are required for this failure, as the ANS activation feedback systems remain fully functional at the State and local facilities.
"The cause for the loss of the ANS feedback system is under investigation.
"This is being reported under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi) and 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii).
"The NRC Senior Resident has been notified."
* * * UPDATE ON 4/29/16 AT 1103 EDT FROM MATTHEW MILLER TO BETHANY CECERE * * *
"The cause of the partial loss of WBN ANS Feedback System was determined to be an equipment failure. AT&T has completed the work and the modem has been reset. The Corporate TVA Operational Duty Specialist (ODS) has been monitoring [the system] and there have been no issues identified with the feedback system. Therefore, the issue has been repaired.
"In addition, further confirmation from the State of Tennessee and Rhea County was received that the sirens were fully functional at all times. The Feedback Monitoring System for the ANS was not available to the ODS only. Therefore, TVA Watts Bar is retracting the 10 CFR 50.72 (b)(3)(xiii) notification for Loss of Emergency Preparedness Capabilities.
"The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector."
Notified the R2DO (Ehrhardt). |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 51891 | Facility: ARKANSAS NUCLEAR
Region: 4 State: AR
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] B&W-L-LP,[2] CE
NRC Notified By: RODRICK JOHNSON
HQ OPS Officer: DANIEL MILLS | Notification Date: 04/29/2016
Notification Time: 10:48 [ET]
Event Date: 04/29/2016
Event Time: 06:15 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 04/29/2016 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
JEREMY GROOM (R4DO)
DOE (EMAI)
EPA (EMAI)
USDA (EMAI)
HHS (EMAI)
FEMA (EMAI)
|
| 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 OFFSITE NOTIFICATION OF ONSITE CHEMICAL SPILL
"The licensee notified the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, National Response Center, and Local Emergency Planning Committee regarding an onsite spill of 12 [percent] Sodium Hypochlorite (bleach solution). Approximately 2000 gallons of Sodium Hypochlorite solution leaked from a bulk tank within the protected area, outside the tank containment berm. Approximately 100 gallons were estimated to have entered the nearby storm drain. The estimate was based on preliminary chemistry samples. The quantity released exceeded the Reportable Quantity (RQ) for Sodium Hypochlorite (RQ of 100 pounds) and was therefore reported.
"There is no impact to the operation of the ANO units or personnel onsite or offsite. No harm to the environment is expected. No offsite emergency response is required.
"This event is reportable under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi) as an event or situation related to the protection of the environment for which a notification to other government agencies have been made.
"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified." |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 51892 | Facility: NORTH ANNA
Region: 2 State: VA
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-3-LP,[2] W-3-LP,[3] M-4-LP
NRC Notified By: DENNIS ALAN BRIED
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF HERRERA | Notification Date: 04/30/2016
Notification Time: 00:48 [ET]
Event Date: 04/29/2016
Event Time: 22:14 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 04/30/2016 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) - VALID SPECIF SYS ACTUATION
| Person (Organization):
FRANK EHRHARDT (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 LOSS OF OFFSITE POWER TO THE A RESERVE STATION SERVICE TRANSFORMER
"At 2214 [EDT] on 4/29/16, with Unit 1 and Unit 2 operating at 100 [percent] power, the North Anna 34.5 kV Bus 5, off site power feed to the 'A' Reserve Station Service Transformer, was lost which resulted in the loss of power to the Unit 1 'J' Emergency Bus. Loss of Bus 5 is still undergoing investigation. As a result of the power loss, the 1J Emergency Diesel Generator automatically started as designed and restored power to the 1J Emergency bus. During the event, the Unit 1 'A' Charging Pump (1-CH-P-1A) automatically started as designed due to the loss of power event.
"The valid actuation of these ESF components due to the loss of electrical power is reportable per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A).
"The Unit 1 'J' Emergency Bus off-site power source was restored to service and the 1J Emergency Diesel Generator was secured and returned to automatic. Restoration of offsite power to Operable is complete. The Unit 1 'A' Charging Pump has been secured and returned to automatic.
"Both units are currently stable. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the Bus 5 loss of power."
The NRC Resident Inspector was notified. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 51895 | Facility: OYSTER CREEK
Region: 1 State: NJ
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-2
NRC Notified By: ANDREW KRUKOWSKI
HQ OPS Officer: DANIEL MILLS | Notification Date: 04/30/2016
Notification Time: 19:14 [ET]
Event Date: 04/30/2016
Event Time: 18:04 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 04/30/2016 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL
| Person (Organization):
JAMES DWYER (R1DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | M/R | Y | 0 | Startup | 0 | Hot Shutdown | Event Text MANUAL SCRAM DURING REACTOR STARTUP DUE TO INCREASE IN UNIDENTIFIED LEAK RATE
"Today at 1804 EDT, a manual scram was processed during startup due to rising unidentified leak rate. The rise in unidentified leak rate was identified to be coming from the D Reactor Recirc Pump seal cavity. All rods inserted into the core and all systems functioned as expected during the scram.
"The event is reportable within 4 hours per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - any event or condition that results in actuation of the reactor protection system (RPS) when the reactor is critical except when the actuation results from and is part of a pre-planned sequence during testing or reactor operation."
The reactor is stable in hot shutdown.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 51896 | Facility: NINE MILE POINT
Region: 1 State: NY
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-2,[2] GE-5
NRC Notified By: DOUG HIGBY
HQ OPS Officer: DANIEL MILLS | Notification Date: 05/01/2016
Notification Time: 12:25 [ET]
Event Date: 05/01/2016
Event Time: 08:47 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 05/01/2016 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
JAMES DWYER (R1DO)
SCOTT MORRIS (NRR)
BERNARD STAPLETON (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 | N | 0 | Cold Shutdown | 0 | Cold Shutdown | Event Text OFFSITE NOTIFICATION DUE TO ONSITE FATALITY NOT RELATED TO WORK
"On May 1, 2016, at 0847 [EDT], an individual experienced a personal medical emergency during a break. The onsite fire brigade and emergency medical technicians administered first aid, but the individual was unresponsive. The individual was transported to the local hospital. The station was notified at 1008 that the hospital has declared the individual deceased. The individual was outside of the radiological controlled area and not contaminated.
"Nine Mile Point Unit 2 is shut down for the scheduled refueling outage."
The individual was a contractor employee.
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
The State of New York will be notified. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 51897 | Facility: SOUTH TEXAS
Region: 4 State: TX
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: SILVESTRE ROMERO
HQ OPS Officer: DANIEL MILLS | Notification Date: 05/01/2016
Notification Time: 22:14 [ET]
Event Date: 05/01/2016
Event Time: 20:21 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 05/01/2016 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL
50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) - VALID SPECIF SYS ACTUATION
| Person (Organization):
JEREMY GROOM (R4DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | A/R | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 0 | Hot Standby | Event Text AUTOMATIC REACTOR TRIP DUE TO GENERATOR LOCKOUT
"At 2021 [CDT] on 05/01/2016 Unit 1 automatically tripped due to a generator lockout. Relay 86/G1 actuated. The generator lockout resulted in a Unit 1 turbine trip and a reactor trip.
"Auxiliary Feedwater and Feedwater Isolation actuated as designed.
All Control Rods fully inserted.
No primary or secondary relief valves opened.
There were no electrical problems.
Normal operating temperature and pressure is [being maintained].
There were no significant TS LCO's entered.
This event was not significant to the health and safety of the public based on all safety systems performed as designed.
Unit 2 was not affected."
Unit 1 is stable in Mode 3, with decay heat being removed via dump valves to the condenser. The cause of the generator lockout is under investigation.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. | |