| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
11/29/2016 - 11/30/2016 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | Agreement State | Event Number: 52385 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
Licensee: NONDESTRUCTIVE & VISUAL INSPECTION LLC
Region: 4
City: CARTHAGE State: TX
County:
License #: 06162
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KAREN BLANCHARD
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD | Notification Date: 11/21/2016
Notification Time: 16:30 [ET]
Event Date: 11/19/2016
Event Time: [CST]
Last Update Date: 11/21/2016 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
NICK TAYLOR (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - FAILURE OF SOURCE TO RETRACT
The following information was received via E-mail:
"On November 21, 2016, the licensee notified the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] that on November 19, 2016, one of its radiography crews had been unable to retract an iridium-192 source back into a Spec 150 radiography exposure device (camera).
"Following their third exposure on a pipeline inspection at a temporary job site [near Mentone, Texas], one of the radiographers retracted the source and went to the camera to disconnect the guide tube. The 6-foot guide tube was laying over the top of the pipe they had been inspecting and the collimator was on the opposite side from the radiographer. When he disconnected the guide tube, the collimator was pulled to the top of the pipe. The radiographer's alarming rate meter sounded and his survey meter went off-scale. He left the area, monitored the 2 mR/hr boundary and called the site radiation safety officer (SRSO).
"The SRSO, on the license to perform retrievals, responded and retrieved the source. The control cable was found to be broken approximately one inch from the connector and the licensee suspects the automatic securing mechanism malfunctioned. The device and control assembly have been sent to the manufacturer for evaluation/repair.
"The radiographer's pocket dosimeter had a reading of 80 mR. The other radiographer had a reading of 10 mR on his pocket dosimeter. The SRSO had the following readings on pocket dosimeters located on his chest and taped to the backs of his hands: chest 131 mR; right hand 163 mR; and, left hand 167 mR. Their dosimetry badges have been sent for emergency processing. More information will be provided as it is obtained in accordance with SA-300.
"Device: SPEC 150 SN: 1845
"Source: Iridium-192, 66 curies, SPEC G-60, SN: XI-0909"
Texas Incident #: I-9443 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 52386 | Rep Org: ILLINOIS EMERGENCY MGMT. AGENCY
Licensee: CHICAGO TESTING LABORATORY INC
Region: 3
City: CHICAGO State: IL
County:
License #: IL-02065-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DAREN PERRERO
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ | Notification Date: 11/21/2016
Notification Time: 13:18 [ET]
Event Date: 11/19/2016
Event Time: 18:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 11/21/2016 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
AARON McCRAW (R3DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3 " level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN MOISTURE DENSITY GUAGE
The following information was received via E-mail:
"On Saturday at 2300 CST, the licensee's radiation safety officer called the Agency [Illinois Emergency Management Agency] to report that a vehicle carrying a moisture density gauge had been stolen. The theft had occurred around 1800 [CST] that evening while the truck was in Chicago, IL. It was reported that, at the time of the theft, the gauge was secured in the truck in accordance with the 'two lock' rule within a toolbox. The operator indicated that after he started the truck, he realized he had left his cell phone in the house and gone in to retrieve it without turning off the truck. When he returned, the truck was already being driven off down the street. The Chicago Police Department has been contacted about the theft and are aware that the gauge was present in the vehicle as well as several other company issued tools. Given the manner of the theft, it is not believed the device with radioactive sources was targeted for the theft, but that it was a theft of opportunity."
Troxler model: 3440
Serial number: 15107
Chicago Police report: HZ522208
Illinois event: IL16013
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 |
| Non-Agreement State | Event Number: 52387 | Rep Org: US ARMY
Licensee: US ARMY
Region: 1
City: ALBANY State: GA
County:
License #: 21-32838-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KAREN McGUIRE
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ | Notification Date: 11/21/2016
Notification Time: 13:38 [ET]
Event Date: 10/12/2016
Event Time: 14:24 [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/21/2016 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
20.2201(a)(1)(i) - LOST/STOLEN LNM>1000X
| Person (Organization):
JAMES DWYER (R1DO)
AARON McCRAW (R3DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3 " level of radioactive material. | Event Text LOST SHIPMENT OF MATERIAL CONTAINING TRITIUM
"USMC shipped the package [containing 45.06 Ci of tritium] via [common carrier] out of Hawthorne Army Depot, Hawthorne, NV on October 6, 2016 to MARCORLOGBASE, Director Fleet Support Dir Code 587, Radford Blvd, Suite 20320, Albany, GA. The package was signed for with initials and a signature showing delivery on October 12, 2016 at 1424 [EDT]. There were several attempts of delivery before the package was delivered. The initials of who signed for the shipment cannot be traced to anyone and the signature is unreadable. [The common carrier] indicates delivery to the address of a receptionist. The package had UN2911 markings on opposite sides of the package.
"USMC RADCON conducted a physical search of USMC Albany locations to include the Post Office with no results. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Albany was contacted and DLA performed a physical search with no results. Also, another shipment from Hawthorne was sent out to a different location, which was received. This location was checked for receipt of the concerned package. On November 2, 2016, an Albany All Hands/Base wide official message was sent out regarding the package.
"The conclusion at this time is that the package is considered missing and likely somewhere at MCLB, Albany. The US Navy indicates that physical searches and base wide notifications continue in the effort to locate the package."
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: 52389 | Rep Org: OK DEQ RAD MANAGEMENT
Licensee: INTEGRIS HEALTH
Region: 4
City: OKLAHOMA CITY State: OK
County:
License #: OK-11022-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KEVIN SAMPSON
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ | Notification Date: 11/22/2016
Notification Time: 12:17 [ET]
Event Date: 11/17/2016
Event Time: [CST]
Last Update Date: 11/22/2016 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
NICK TAYLOR (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - I-125 SEED LEFT INSIDE A PATIENT
"Yesterday (November 21, 2016) we [Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality] were notified by Integris Health (OK-11022-01) that a brachytherapy seed containing 0.1 mCi of I-125 had been lost. The seed was implanted in a patient on November 14 for localization of a non-palpable breast lesion. The tissue was removed on November 17 and sent to pathology. The patient had also had a sentinel node procedure on the same day and received a dose of Tc-99. The licensee believed that the seed had been removed with the specimen. The specimen was sent to the pathology lab on November 18 and showed no radiation when surveyed there. The licensee initiated a search of their facilities at that time. The patient returned to the hospital yesterday for their post-operative evaluation, was again surveyed, and the seed was detected.
"Yesterday evening, the licensee emailed us that the seed had actually been left in the patient. We are making this notification as a possible medical event. The licensee is performing a dose calculation on the patient. Our investigation is ongoing and we will provide more information as it becomes available."
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. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 52398 | Facility: FERMI
Region: 3 State: MI
Unit: [2] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: JEFF YEAGER
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH | Notification Date: 11/29/2016
Notification Time: 01:41 [ET]
Event Date: 11/28/2016
Event Time: 21:05 [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/29/2016 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(v)(C) - POT UNCNTRL RAD REL
| Person (Organization):
KARLA STOEDTER (R3DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text SECONDARY CONTAINMENT TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION NOT MET
"On November 28, 2016, starting at 2105 hrs. EST, high wind conditions encountered on site resulted in the Technical Specification (TS) for secondary containment pressure boundary not being met numerous times. The duration of time that the secondary containment Technical Specification was not met was approximately 1 second for each instance.
"All plant equipment responded as required to the changing environmental conditions and Reactor Building HVAC returned secondary containment pressure within TS limits. At 0055 EST on November 29, 2016, high wind conditions had subsided and secondary containment vacuum was greater than the TS operability limit of 0.125 inches of vacuum water gauge (TS SR 3.6.4.1.1) and steady, and the LCO was exited. There were no radiological releases associated with this event.
"Declaring secondary containment inoperable is reportable under 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(v)(C) as an event or condition that could have prevented the fulfillment of a safety function needed to control the release of radioactive material.
"The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector."
* * * UPDATE FROM CHRIS MCALLISTER TO HOWIE CROUCH AT 1027 EST ON 11/29/16 * * *
"On November 29, 2016, at 0242 EST, high wind conditions encountered on site resulted in the Technical Specification (TS) for secondary containment pressure boundary not being met numerous times following the initial event notification. The duration of time that the secondary containment Technical Specification was not met was approximately 1 second for each instance.
"All plant equipment responded as required to the changing environmental conditions and Reactor Building HVAC returned secondary containment pressure to within TS limits. High wind conditions are expected to decrease throughout the day. If additional instances are identified that require entry into the Technical Specifications (TS) for secondary containment pressure boundary not being met, another follow up notification will be performed. There were no radiological releases associated with this event.
"Declaring secondary containment inoperable is reportable under 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(v)(C) as an event or condition that could have prevented the fulfillment of a safety function needed to control the release of radioactive material.
"The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector."
Notified R3DO (Stoedter). |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 52399 | Facility: WOLF CREEK
Region: 4 State: KS
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: JOHNNEY CAMP
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH | Notification Date: 11/29/2016
Notification Time: 06:19 [ET]
Event Date: 11/29/2016
Event Time: 01:45 [CST]
Last Update Date: 11/29/2016 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
MARK HAIRE (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 OFFSITE NOTIFICATION DUE TO 150 GALLON OIL SPILL IN THE SWITCHYARD
"While operating in mode 1 at 100% rated thermal power an approximately 150 gallon oil spill occurred in the switchyard. Westar Energy personnel were performing corrective maintenance on the station's #6 transformer that required cleaning the oil. The #6 transformer was out of service at the time. The oil was being transferred to a group of hold up tanks. One of the tanks overflowed before the next tank could be placed in service. This resulted in the spill of approximately 150 gallons of UNIVOLT N 61 B, electrical insulating oil onto gravel and soil. The spill has been stopped. The oil had recently been sampled and there were no detectable polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs. A clean up plan is being developed. Condition Report 00109759 has been generated.
"The acting NRC Senior Resident has been informed."
The reportable quantity for the oil is 5 gallons. The licensee has notified the State of Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the National Response Center. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 52400 | 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: HOWIE CROUCH | Notification Date: 11/29/2016
Notification Time: 09:54 [ET]
Event Date: 11/29/2016
Event Time: 07:32 [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/29/2016 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
GERALD MCCOY (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 | 85 | Power Operation | 85 | Power Operation | Event Text OFFSITE NOTIFICATION DUE TO CHEMICAL SPILL ONSITE
"On 11/29/16 at 0654 EST, a chemical spill of approximately 525 gallons of Flo-guard was reported to the main control room from the raw water system chemical treatment control building (near the intake pumping station). No personnel injuries have resulted from this spill. The spill has stopped and is contained to the immediate area of the building. The spill has not reached the waters of the United States. The hazardous constituent of Flo-guard is Zinc Chloride.
"Source of spill was a piping failure that allowed the contents of a storage tank to drain onto the ground in the immediate vicinity overnight. The area has been contained and does not impact any plant operations.
"At 0728, TVA determined that due to the volume of spill (approximately 525 gal.) being greater than 306 gal. of Zinc Chloride, this event is reportable under the WBN [Watts Bar Nuclear] Integration Pollution Prevention Plan. The Shift Manager notified the National Spill Response Center at 0732 and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency at 0738. Rhea County Emergency Response, Nuclear Duty Officer and NRC Resident have been informed.
"This is being reported under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi), 'Any event or situation, related to the health and safety of the public or onsite personnel, or protection of the environment, for which a news release is planned or notification to other government agencies has been or will be made,' due to the notification of other government agencies of the spill." | |