Event Notification Report for December 22, 2010

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
12/21/2010 - 12/22/2010

** EVENT NUMBERS **


46489 46499 46502 46503

To top of page
General Information or Other Event Number: 46489
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: H&H X-RAY SERVICES INC.
Region: 4
City: LUFKIN State: TX
County:
License #: 02516
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ART TUCKER
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ
Notification Date: 12/17/2010
Notification Time: 19:16 [ET]
Event Date: 12/10/2010
Event Time: [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/17/2010
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
LINDA HOWELL (R4DO)
KEVIN O'SULLIVAN (FSME)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - RADIOGRAPHY CAMERA LOCKING DEVICE FAILURE RESULTING IN PERSONNEL EXPOSURE

"On December 17, 2010, the Agency [Texas Department of Health Services] was notified by the licensee that on December 10, 2010, the locking device on QSA model 880 camera containing 97 curies of Iridium (Ir) 192 failed to activate. The radiography crew (group A) had completed operations at one site near Lufkin, Texas, and was moving to a new location at the same site. The radiography camera with the cranking device and guide tube still attached were placed in the dark room of the radiographers' truck. The licensee stated that a survey was conducted to verify the source was in the fully shielded, locked position. As the radiographer was driving to the new location, he passed about 5 feet from another group of radiographers (group B) from the same licensee. As group A passed by group B, group B's dosimeters alarmed. Group B stopped group A and told them that their alarms had gone off. Group A went to the camera, picked up the crank for the camera, and found that the source had moved from the locked position approximately one quarter of a turn. The radiographer cranked the source back to the fully shielded position and secured the camera for transportation.

"The radiographers did not inform the licensee of the event until December 16, 2010. At that time, the licensee began an investigation of the event, including reenactments of the event to determine how much dose the radiographers had received. During the investigation, it was discovered that both radiographer's self reading pocket dosimeters had been read after the camera was secured and were reading off scale. The licensee determined that radiographers 'A' were eight feet from the source while they were driving and would have been exposed to the source for approximately 10 minutes. A dose estimate of 1,700 millirem was made for both individuals. The thermoluminescent dosimeters for radiographers 'A' have been sent to the processor for reading. The licensee stated they expected the readings by late Monday December 20. The licensee stated that several pieces of radiography film were lying on the seat of the truck when the event occurred. The film was developed and indicated that it had been exposed to approximately 1,700 millirem. The licensee stated that neither radiographer would have received enough exposure to exceed any limit. The licensee stated that no member of the general public was exposed to any radiation as a result of this event.

"The licensee has not inspected the camera. The licensee stated that the camera is out of service and is currently stored in their storage facility. Additional information has been requested of the licensee. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."

Texas Incident #I-8803

To top of page
Power Reactor Event Number: 46499
Facility: SAN ONOFRE
Region: 4 State: CA
Unit: [ ] [2] [3]
RX Type: [1] W-3-LP,[2] CE,[3] CE
NRC Notified By: TRAVIS FELDER
HQ OPS Officer: DONG HWA PARK
Notification Date: 12/21/2010
Notification Time: 01:40 [ET]
Event Date: 12/20/2010
Event Time: 20:20 [PST]
Last Update Date: 12/21/2010
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
Person (Organization):
GREG WERNER (R4DO)

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
2 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation
3 N N 0 Refueling 0 Refueling

Event Text

ACCESS TO PRIMARY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS FACILITY NOT POSSIBLE DUE TO FLOODING

"Notified by the Security Shift Commander at 2020 [PST] that access to the primary EOF is not possible due to flooding. San Onofre will activate the alternate EOF if an event is declared. There are no other affected systems or loss to emergency response capabilities due to this flooding."

Access to the site has not been impacted due to the flooding. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified.

To top of page
Power Reactor Event Number: 46502
Facility: OYSTER CREEK
Region: 1 State: NJ
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-2
NRC Notified By: ERIC SWAIN
HQ OPS Officer: JOE O'HARA
Notification Date: 12/21/2010
Notification Time: 15:32 [ET]
Event Date: 12/21/2010
Event Time: 10:07 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/21/2010
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
26.719 - FITNESS FOR DUTY
Person (Organization):
NEIL PERRY (R1DO)

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
1 N N 0 Cold Shutdown 0 Cold Shutdown

Event Text

PROHIBITIVE SUBSTANCE LOCATED INSIDE THE PROTECTED AREA

"At 1007 EST a prohibitive substance (un-opened alcohol container) was discovered in the protected area. The non-supervisory individual involved is being evaluated under the behavior observation program and the prohibitive substance (alcohol) has been confiscated.

"This report is being made in accordance Significant Fitness-For-Duty Events SEC 1.10, 10 CFR 26.719 (b) Significant FFD policy violations or programmatic failures. The following significant FFD policy violations and programmatic failures must be reported to the NRC Operations Center by telephone within 24 hours after the licensee or other entity discovers the violation:

"(1) The use, sale, distribution, possession, or presence of illegal drugs, or the consumption or presence of alcohol within a protected area;

"The following are considered significant fitness-for-duty events and must be reported by nuclear stations to the NRC Operations Center by telephone within 24 hours of discovery of the event by the licensee;

"Alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs within the protected area, even if no person is in possession of the items."

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

To top of page
Power Reactor Event Number: 46503
Facility: SAN ONOFRE
Region: 4 State: CA
Unit: [ ] [2] [3]
RX Type: [1] W-3-LP,[2] CE,[3] CE
NRC Notified By: JAMES VRLA
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Notification Date: 12/21/2010
Notification Time: 23:52 [ET]
Event Date: 12/21/2010
Event Time: 19:32 [PST]
Last Update Date: 12/22/2010
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
Person (Organization):
GREG WERNER (R4DO)

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
2 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation
3 N N 0 Refueling 0 Refueling

Event Text

ACCESS TO PRIMARY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS FACILITY NOT POSSIBLE DUE TO ROAD FLOODING

"Notified by the Security Shift Commander at 1932 [PST] that access to the primary EOF is not possible due to flooding. San Onofre will activate the alternate EOF if an event is declared. There are no other affected systems or loss to emergency response capabilities due to this flooding."

Access to the site has not been impacted due to the flooding. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified.
See similar report #46499.

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, March 24, 2021