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Event Notification Report for April 16, 2019

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
4/15/2019 - 4/16/2019

** EVENT NUMBERS **

Agreement State	Event Number: 53975
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES Licensee: THERMO FINNIGAN LLC Region: 4 City: AUSTIN State: TX County: License #: Licen-RAM-L01186 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: ART TUCKER HQ OPS Officer: JOANNA BRIDGE	Notification Date: 04/04/2019 Notification Time: 09:19 [ET] Event Date: 01/08/2019 Event Time: 00:00 [CDT] Last Update Date: 04/15/2019
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE	Person (Organization): MICHAEL VASQUEZ (R4DO) NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - UNPLANNED CONTAMINATION

The following was received via e-mail:

"On January 8, 2019, the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] was contacted by the license and notified they have some conflicting data that suggest they may have up to three (3) leaking Nickel (Ni) - 63 ten milliCurie sources that may be slightly above the 0.005 microCuries reporting limit. The licensee stated they need to investigate further as a second set of leak tests showed no detectable activity on the same three sources. The three sealed sources in question have been bagged and are slotted for disposal. The licensee will provide additional information as it is received.

"On January 25, 2019, the licensee contacted the Agency and stated they had leak tested all similar sources in their possession. The licensee found a total of four sources exceeded the limit. The sources are all Ni-63 containing 10 milliCuries. The licensee stated they will dispose of all leaking sources. The licensee stated it believed the sources were manufactured in Singapore. The sources are used in gas chromatographs. The Agency conducted an on site investigation at the facility on March 11, 2019. During the investigation the licensee stated none of their customers who had been provided a device had reported a source that failed a leak test.

"On April 3, 2019, the Agency was notified by the licensee that they were going to restrict access to a room for more than 24 hours due to fixed and removable radioactive contamination levels. The contamination was found while performing surveys in the area in response to leak test results of four Ni-63 sources exceeding the limit (NMED report number 190032). The licensee will perform bioassay sampling of all individuals who had been in the room. The licensee stated they have begun decontamination of the room. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."

Texas Incident number: 9648

* * * UPDATE AT 1645 EDT ON 4/15/2019 FROM ART TUCKER TO MARK ABRAMOVITZ * * *

The following report was received via e-mail:

"On April 15, 2019, the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] was notified by the licensee that they had found additional contamination in the facility and had closed the facility until a full survey can be completed and any areas found to be contaminated released. The licensee is working on a bioassay plan for the employees."

Notified the R4DO (Pick) and NMSS (via e-mail).

Agreement State	Event Number: 53981
Rep Org: SC DEPT OF HEALTH & ENV CONTROL Licensee: ECS SOUTHEAST, LLP Region: 1 City: GREENVILLE State: SC County: License #: 584 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: ANDREW ROXBURGH HQ OPS Officer: JEFFREY WHITED	Notification Date: 04/05/2019 Notification Time: 07:16 [ET] Event Date: 04/04/2019 Event Time: 15:15 [EDT] Last Update Date: 04/05/2019
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE	Person (Organization): MATT YOUNG (R1DO) NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - GAUGE RUN OVER BY BULL DOZER

The following was received via e-mail:

"On April 4, 2019, the Department [South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control] was notified by the licensee at approximately 1515 EDT that one of its gauges had been run over by a bull dozer at a jobsite. The gauge was a Humboldt Model 5001 s/n 941 containing 10 mCi of Cs-137 and 40 mCi of Am-241:Be. The sealed source serial number for the Cs-137 source is 2467GH and the sealed source serial number for the Am-241:Be source is NJ00918. A radiation surveys and wipe tests of the gauge were performed at the scene. There was no removable contamination detected. The gauge was safely transported back to the licensee's facility and placed in storage awaiting disposal."

Agreement State	Event Number: 53984
Rep Org: NEW YORK STATE DEPT. OF HEALTH Licensee: PALL HAUPPAUGE Region: 1 City: HAUPPAUGE State: NY County: License #: C1935 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: DANIEL SAMSON HQ OPS Officer: KARL DIEDERICH	Notification Date: 04/08/2019 Notification Time: 14:25 [ET] Event Date: 04/06/2019 Event Time: 09:30 [EDT] Last Update Date: 04/08/2019
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE	Person (Organization): ANNE DeFRANCISCO (R1DO) NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DRY SOURCE STORAGE IRRADIATOR SOURCE RACK DID NOT RETRACT COMPLETELY

The following was received from the state of New York via fax:

"The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) was notified that on Saturday, April 6, 2019, at approximately 0930 [EDT], a bearing in the pulley that is part of the 'slack cable' switch/mechanism failed to function as intended. The failure caused the source cable to bind where it passes through the slack cable switch, which prevented the source from reaching its full down/safe position. When the licensee freed the cable from the slack cable switch, the source easily returned to its down/safe position. The radiation levels in the irradiator confirmed that the source was in its shielded position. The licensee repaired the slack cable switch (in a way that will prevent re-occurrence) and cycled the source up and down many times with no further incident. Pall Hauppauge is licensed to possess cobalt 60 for use in a Nordion International panoramic dry [source] storage irradiator.

"The licensee sent an email and left a voice mail to the NYSDOH mail log, which was not read or listened to until 0830 [EDT] on Monday morning. The licensee failed to contact the NYS Warning Point who would have then immediately notified responsible individuals within NYSDOH. NYSDOH will conduct a site visit since this is the second time in less than a year that they have had issues with source retraction."

The earlier event was on 11/9/18 reported in EN53729.

Incident Report#: NY-19-05.

!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Agreement State	Event Number: 53985
Rep Org: LOUISIANA RADIATION PROTECTION DIV Licensee: GEORGIA PACIFIC CONSUMER PRODUCTS Region: 4 City: ZACHARY State: LA County: License #: LA-2162-L01, AI #2617 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: JOSEPH NOBLE HQ OPS Officer: KARL DIEDERICH	Notification Date: 04/08/2019 Notification Time: 15:17 [ET] Event Date: 04/08/2019 Event Time: 13:46 [CDT] Last Update Date: 04/10/2019
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE	Person (Organization): GREG WERNER (R4DO) NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - SHUTTER STUCK IN OPEN POSITION

The following was received by e-mail from the state of Louisiana:

On 4/8/19, Georgia Pacific Consumer Products (GA-PAC) reported that an additional level density gauge malfunction was discovered during process unit decommissioning. The first gauge was reported on 3/11/19 via a phone call to Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) - see EN 53927. This second gauge was reported via e-mail on 4/8/19 to LDEQ as part of the written follow-up to the first gauge.

"A level density gauge on a process [unit] had a shutter malfunction. GA-PAC was attempting to inventory and package [the gauge] for disposal. In the lock-out/tag-out process, they discovered the shutter handle would not turn to completely close the shutter. The gauge is a RONAN SA8-C5 device/source holder, S/N 9775GG with a 50 mCi Cs-137 source.

"GA-PAC called a service contractor, BBP Sales, to evaluate the situation and determine the best course of action to correct the problem. The sources and gauges were packaged by BBP Sales and sent to QSA Global for disposal on 4/2/19. GA-PAC is decommissioning this unit. This is not a radiation exposure hazard and does not pose a health and safety situation for the GA-PAC employees or the general public.

"This event is considered closed by LDEQ. This event is being reported to the NRC as required by 10 CFR 30.50(b)(2) and LAC 33:XV341.B."

LA Event Report ID No.: LA-190005.

* * * RETRACTION AT 1155 EDT ON 4/10/19 FROM JOSEPH NOBLE TO JEFF HERRERA * * *

The following information was reported by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality via email:

"The reported information was not a new event. This was follow up information for two previously reported events."

Notified the R4DO (Werner) and NMSS_Events (via email).

Power Reactor	Event Number: 54000
Facility: MONTICELLO Region: 3 State: MN Unit: [1] [] [] RX Type: [1] GE-3 NRC Notified By: JON LAUDENBACH HQ OPS Officer: JEFFREY WHITED	Notification Date: 04/15/2019 Notification Time: 11:36 [ET] Event Date: 04/15/2019 Event Time: 05:11 [CDT] Last Update Date: 04/15/2019
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(3)(xii) - OFFSITE MEDICAL	Person (Organization): MICHAEL KUNOWSKI (R3DO)

Unit

SCRAM Code

RX Crit

Initial PWR

Initial RX Mode

Current PWR

Current RX Mode

Refueling

Event Text

TRANSPORT OFFSITE TO MEDICAL FACILITY OF POTENTIALLY CONTAMINATED INDIVIDUAL

"At 0511 CDT on 4/15/2019, transport of a potentially radiologically contaminated person from the Monticello Nuclear Plant to a local hospital was performed prior to conducting a radiological survey as a prudent measure to ensure timely medical support. At 0658 CDT a radiological survey determined that the individual and their clothing were not contaminated.

"This is reportable under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xii). The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."

Part 21	Event Number: 54001
Rep Org: CURTISS-WRIGHT Licensee: CURTISS WRIGHT ENERTECH Region: 4 City: Brea State: CA County: License #: Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: ROSALIE NAVA HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ	Notification Date: 04/15/2019 Notification Time: 20:12 [ET] Event Date: 04/15/2019 Event Time: 00:00 [PDT] Last Update Date: 04/15/2019
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 21.21(d)(3)(i) - DEFECTS AND NONCOMPLIANCE	Person (Organization): BRICE BICKETT (R1DO) NICOLE COOVERT (R2DO) MICHAEL KUNOWSKI (R3DO) GREG PICK (R4DO) - PART 21/50.55 REACTORS (EMAIL)

Event Text

PART-21 NOTIFICATION - SNUBBER HYDRAULIC FLUID BATCH CONTAINS PARTICULATES

The following report was received via fax:

"Pacific Gas and Electric notified Curtiss Wright [CW] Enertech that they observed white particulate in SF-1154 fluid in three containers. The white particulate was found settled at the bottom of the containers. The fluid was dedicated and supplied by CW Enertech in November 2016 The fluid was traced back to Momentive Batch 14ELVS145.

"The momentive batch 14ELVS145 was previously reported by Lake Engineering Company (Ref NRC ML17212A628 and ML17128A465). The white particulates/semisolid material was identified as phenyl cyclic precipitate. The safety hazard that could be created by this defect is the blockage of snubber bleed port as reported by Duane Arnold (Ref ML070300154). This blockage could prevent the snubber from unlocking after a seismic event, thus preventing the snubber to allow for system movement during normal operations.

"In addition, evaluation performed by Lake Engineering Company has found that all of the solids are dissolved back into the fluid when heated to 110 [degrees] fahrenheit. With all solids dissolved, there is no potential safety hazard with this fluid."

Affected sites: Fermi, Shearon Harris, Beaver Valley, Diablo Canyon, Watts Bar, Perry, and Almaraz (Spain).

Curtiss-Wright point of contact: Rosalie Nava, 714-528-2301 ext 1872

See also EN 43071 dated 1/3/2007

Power Reactor	Event Number: 54002
Facility: FARLEY Region: 2 State: AL Unit: [1] [2] [] RX Type: [1] W-3-LP,[2] W-3-LP NRC Notified By: RICHARD LANGFORD HQ OPS Officer: JEFFREY WHITED	Notification Date: 04/16/2019 Notification Time: 02:59 [ET] Event Date: 04/15/2019 Event Time: 23:55 [CDT] Last Update Date: 04/16/2019
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION	Person (Organization): NICOLE COOVERT (R2DO) CHRIS MILLER (NRR EO) WILLIAM GOTT (IRD)

Unit

SCRAM Code

RX Crit

Initial PWR

Initial RX Mode

Current PWR

Current RX Mode

Power Operation

Defueled

Event Text

OFFSITE NOTIFICATION - ON SITE FATAILITY

"At 2355 CDT on 4/15/19, life-saving activities by offsite medical personnel for a Farley employee were terminated. The coroner declared the individual deceased at the plant site at 0130 CDT.

"The fatality is not believed to be work-related and the individual was inside of the Radiological Controlled Area.

"This is a four-hour notification, non-emergency for a notification of other government agency. This event is reportable in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi). The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."

The licensee will be notifying the Occupational Safety and Health Administration due to the on-site fatality.

The licensee will perform a radiological survey of the individual prior to transportation offsite.

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, March 24, 2021