| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
10/17/2017 - 10/18/2017 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | Non-Agreement State | Event Number: 52963 | Rep Org: HEMLOCK SEMICONDUCTOR OPERATIONS
Licensee: HEMLOCK SEMICONDUCTOR OPERATIONS
Region: 3
City: HEMLOCK State: MI
County:
License #: 21-32682-01
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KELLEY DEERING
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF HERRERA | Notification Date: 09/12/2017
Notification Time: 09:46 [ET]
Event Date: 09/11/2017
Event Time: 14:30 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/17/2017 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
30.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE
| Person (Organization):
KENNETH RIEMER (R3DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)
| Event Text SHUTTER STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION
"License No 21-32682-01
"Fixed Gauge Stuck Shutter-Stuck in the open/normal operating position
No exposures
Vega America Source Holder Model SHLG-2-45
Radionuclide: Cesium-137 5000mCi
Source serial number 1485CO
Source holder serial number 19509171
"At approximately 1430 hrs (EDT) on 9/11/2017 the site RSO attempted to operate the shutter on source holder 10071949 (Hemlock identifier). The shutter operation failed; the shutter is stuck in the open position. There were no exposures as a result of the failed shutter operation. Operating the shutter was part of a field training program for area operations personnel. The source holder is located on site on the HP DPR Tank.
"[The RSO is] in contact with Vega Americas, the manufacturer, to determine a resolution plan. [The RSO] will follow up with a detailed report within 7 days and a complete investigation/resolution report once the gauge manufacturer has performed repairs on the gauge."
* * * UPDATE FROM KELLY DEERING AT 1111 EDT ON 9/13/17. INCORPORATED 10/17/17 * * *
"Reference: Fixed Gauge Stuck Shutter (written report)
License No. 21-32682-01
Event No. 52963
Radionuclide: Cesium-137 5000 mCi
Manufacturer: VEGA Americas (Cincinnati, Ohio 45209)
Model Source Holder: SHLG-2-45
VEGA Americas Source Serial Number: 1485CO
VEGA Americas Source Holder Serial Number: 19509171
Hemlock Semiconductor SAP Equipment Number: 10071949
"On Tuesday, September 11, 2017 at approximately 1430 EDT, the RSO was conducting radiation training for operations personnel in the area. While attempting to operate the shutter on the source holder located on S-557 HP DPR tank, the shutter mechanism would not close. The shutter is stuck fully open, in the normal operating position. [The RSO] contacted the manufacture, Vega Americas, and they suggested applying lubricant to the shutter mechanism to attempt to operate the shutter mechanism. The shutter mechanism was lubricated multiple times throughout the day. The following morning the shutter would still not operate. The NRC was contacted to report the incident at that time. The NRC was contacted via phone and the incident was reported on September 12 at 0930 EDT. There were no radiological exposures as a result of the shutter malfunction.
"As part of a preventative maintenance plan the source shutters are lubricated and operated every 6 months. April 2017 was the last time scheduled routine maintenance was performed. This specific source was operated approximately 30 days with no issues being noted. Because this source is located at the top of a tower, a cover was previously built to help protect the source holder from the weather. There has been no loss of production as a result of the shutter malfunction.
"Hemlock Semiconductor Operations is in contact with Vega Americas, the manufacturer who is licensed with the NRC to repair the source holders. Vega's technician is scheduled to be on site September 18th, 2017 to perform repairs on the stuck shutter; we will not attempt to operate the shutter until repairs have occurred. The state of the stuck shutter has been thoroughly communicated to all personnel that are assigned to the general area. All operators assigned to the specific tower where the gauge is located, are Authorized Gauge Users. Area leaders, emergency response department and plant management have also been communicated to in reference to the stuck shutter. Any individual not assigned to the tower must badge into the area and contact an authorized gauge user to gain access to the tower where the gauge is located. The authorized gauge user will then contact the RSO or assistant RSO for approval for tower access. The gauge is located and operating in a manner consistent with our normal operating status. The normal signs and barriers are in place.
"This incident, any findings by Vega and any subsequence action items will be documented in our GIMS database (incident reporting and action item tracking tool), and a follow up email will be sent to the NRC."
* * * UPDATE FROM KELLY DEERING TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 1125 EDT ON 10/17/2017 * * *
"Vega Americas field technician arrived at Hemlock Semiconductor on 9/18/2017. The following is directly from his field report:
"'9/18/2017: [The Repair Technician] arrived on site and met with [RSO]. The customer has a stuck shutter on a SHLG-2-45 with a 5000mCi Cs-137 source, S/N 1485CO, CO# 6121698, TAG# LX-577007-A, dated 1/11 and with source holder S/N 19509171. [The Repair Technician] freed the shutter mechanism. Some water was released from the shaft well when the shutter was freed. Water intrusion appears to be the cause of the stuck mechanism. There was some buildup of either corrosion products or other material accumulated on the shaft of the operating mechanism. [The Repair Technician] cleaned the shaft using a scrub pad. [The Repair Technician] reattached the rubber top seal using spray adhesive. [The Repair Technician] operated the shutter multiple times without further issue. [The Repair Technician] performed a leak test and a survey at the customer's request. [The Repair Technician] recommended operating the shutter mechanism once a week for the next 2 months. If there are no further issues, then [the Repair Technician] recommended no further action. Shutter checks can be returned to a normal 6 month schedule. If the shutter becomes stuck again then [the Repair Technician] recommended the source holder be removed from service and repaired.'
"Per the recommendation we have been operating the shutter mechanism weekly. There have been no issues and the shutter is operating freely. Leak test and survey checks showed no issues with the source holder. This incident has been documented internally and will continue to be monitored. If the shutter continues to operate freely, Hemlock Semiconductor will consider this incident closed."
Notified R3DO Daley and NMSS Events Notifications |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 53006 | Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: MILLENNIUM CONSULTING ASSOCIATES
Region: 4
City: OAKLAND State: CA
County:
License #: N/A
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: EPHRIME MEKURIA
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ | Notification Date: 10/09/2017
Notification Time: 19:48 [ET]
Event Date: 10/08/2017
Event Time: 14:17 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 10/09/2017 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
RAY KELLAR (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3 " level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN Cd-109 SOURCE
The following report was received via e-mail:
"California OES [Office of Emergency Services] notified RHB [Radiation Health Branch] Sacramento of the following hazardous material spill report on October 8, 2017:
"On October 8, 2017, at 1417 [PDT], XRF equipment user, from Millennium Consulting Associates, notified Cal OES that the Niton XRF equipment, Model XLp303, S/N 21870, he uses was stolen from his vehicle that was parked in front of his residence in Alameda. CA. The theft was noticed by the licensee on Sunday October 08, 2017 about 1145.
"The Niton XLp300 contains a licensed material Cd-109, 40 mCi as of 08/28/16. [The licensee] reported this incident to the Alameda Police on October 8, 2017at 14:45, the Case # is 17-5776."
California Report Number: 5010-100817
A Niton XLp300 is used to analyze lead content.
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: 53007 | Rep Org: PA BUREAU OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: U.S. STEEL CORPORATION - EDGAR THOMPSON PLANT
Region: 1
City: CLAIRTON State: PA
County:
License #: PA-G0310
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JOE MELNIC
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN | Notification Date: 10/10/2017
Notification Time: 10:35 [ET]
Event Date: 10/06/2017
Event Time: [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/10/2017 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
FRANK ARNER (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STUCK/BROKEN SHUTTERS ON TWO FIXED NUCLEAR GAUGES
The following information was received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania via email/fax:
"Event Description: The licensee reported that on October 6, 2017, while performing a lockout procedure for a major outage, the workers noted that two shutters were stuck in the open position. The shutters were both on Berthold Model LB7410 gauges and contained 300 milliCuries of americium-241 each. Both gauges are located in a pit area within major piping lines and a locked gate. This is an inaccessible area, thus no overexposures have occurred. Both units have been taken out of service and a service provider was contacted and has developed a plan to repair or replace the units if necessary.
"Cause of the Event: Equipment failure.
"ACTIONS: The Department [PA Bureau of Radiation Protection] will perform a reactive inspection. More information will be provided upon receipt.
"Event Report ID No: PA170015" |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 53020 | Facility: SUMMER
Region: 2 State: SC
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-3-LP,[2] W-AP1000,[3] W-AP1000
NRC Notified By: MICHAEL MOORE
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD | Notification Date: 10/17/2017
Notification Time: 13:22 [ET]
Event Date: 10/17/2017
Event Time: 11:34 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/17/2017 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
SHANE SANDAL (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 | Event Text OFFSITE NOTIFICATION DUE TO SANITARY LIFT STATION OVERFLOW
"At approximately 0319 EDT on 10/14/17, site personnel discovered a sanitary lift station overflowing in the protected area. The overflow entered a nearby storm drain that discharges into Outfall 12. The estimated release volume was approximately 50 gallons. At 1134 EDT on 10/17/17 an initial notification was made to South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. The cause of the overflow is still under investigation. Functionality of the lift pump has been restored and cleanup is complete.
"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified." | |