| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
07/16/2015 - 07/17/2015 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | Agreement State | Event Number: 51209 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
Licensee: UNION CARBIDE
Region: 4
City: PORT LAVACA State: TX
County:
License #: 00051
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ART TUCKER
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF HERRERA | Notification Date: 07/08/2015
Notification Time: 15:30 [ET]
Event Date: 07/08/2015
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 07/08/2015 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
MARK HAIRE (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA ()
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE - TWO GAUGE SOURCES COULD NOT BE FULLY RETRACTED
The following report was received from the State of Texas via e-mail:
"On July 8, 2015 the Agency [Texas Department of State Health] was notified by the licensee's radiation safety officer that while performing routine test of gauge shutters, they found two gauges where the source could not be fully retracted. Both gauges are Ohmart Vega model SHLMBR-4 gauges containing a 5,000 millicurie cesium-137 source. The gauges are mounted on the side of poly resin tanks. The sources were left in the normal operating, unshielded position. The sources do not pose any additional risk of exposure to the workers or members of the general public. The RSO stated they have not decided how they were going to resolve the problem yet, but will notify the Agency [Texas Department of State Health] once a decision has been made. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."
Texas Incident # I-9325 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 51210 | Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: T.H.E. SOILS COMPANY, INC.
Region: 4
City: LAKE ELSINORE State: CA
County:
License #: 6523-33
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DONNELLE KRAJEWSKI
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ | Notification Date: 07/08/2015
Notification Time: 15:31 [ET]
Event Date: 06/18/2015
Event Time: [PDT]
Last Update Date: 07/08/2015 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
MARK HAIRE (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)
MEXICO (E-MAIL) ()
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3 " level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT- LOST MOISTURE/DENSITY GAUGE
The following report was received from the State of California via e-mail:
"On 6/18/15 an RHB [Radiologic Health Branch] inspector discovered one the licensee's gauge cases was empty and the licensee stated they did not know where the gauge was and would do an investigation. The licensee stated they were not able to determine where the gauge was (Troxler, 3441B, #5803 with 8 mCi Cs-137 and 40 mCi Am-241:Be). The last time the gauge was seen was when it was brought to Maurer Technical Services (the CPN representative) for repair on July 23, 2014. The licensee was going to review additional paperwork to see if he could figure out what happened to the gauge, but at this point he has not gotten back to us [RHB] with any additional information. Maurer Technical Services has done a complete search of their facility and said they do not have the gauge. Maurer Technical [Services] does not have a record of which individual picked up the gauge from their facility. The licensee states they do not remember who picked up the gauge and could not find any paperwork to show gauge #5803 had been used after July 23, 2014. The licensee states there had been no break ins at their facility nor had the locked storage cabinet been tampered with. The Department [California Department of Environmental Health] also interviewed all of the current employees and no one can remember who last used the gauge or picked up the gauge from the repair facility. The Department contacted several of the major companies that perform leak test analysis and this gauge had not been leak tested since prior to July 23, 2014. The Department also researched whether the gauge (serial #5803) was listed in the NMED system as having been 'found', but it was not found in any of the reports. The gauge remains missing."
5010 Number: 070615
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: 51214 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
Licensee: CHEVRON PHILLIPS CHEMICAL COMPANY LP
Region: 4
City: PASADENA State: TX
County:
License #: 00230
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ART TUCKER
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN | Notification Date: 07/09/2015
Notification Time: 08:17 [ET]
Event Date: 07/08/2015
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 07/09/2015 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
MARK HAIRE (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFIC (EMAI)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - NUCLEAR GAUGE SHUTTER FOUND STUCK
The following information was received from the State of Texas via email:
"On July 8, 2015, the Agency was notified by the licensee's radiation safety officer (RSO) of a stuck shutter on an Ohmart Vega SH-F2 nuclear gauge containing a 500 millicurie Cesium - 137 source. The stuck shutter was found during a routine six month inspection. The RSO determined the source shutter would not operate due to internal corrosion seizing it in the open position. The RSO verified the radiation levels in the area of the gauge had not changed. The RSO stated the source normally operates in the open position and there are no safety issues. The RSO stated he had contacted a service provider to make repairs to the gauge. The RSO stated a replacement internal shutter mechanism equipped with a gasket will also be ordered for installation to prevent future water intrusion and corrosion. The gauge does not pose an exposure risk to the licensee's workers or to members of the general public. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."
Texas Incident #: I-9326 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 51216 | Rep Org: LOUISIANA RADIATION PROTECTION DIV
Licensee: TOULONG-WONG ENGINEERS, INC.
Region: 4
City: BATON ROUGE State: LA
County:
License #: LA-12622-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JOSEPH NOBLE
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON | Notification Date: 07/09/2015
Notification Time: 09:16 [ET]
Event Date: 07/02/2015
Event Time: 19:30 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 07/09/2015 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
MARK HAIRE (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFIC (EMAI)
ILTAB (EMAI)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3 " level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN TROXLER MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
The following was received form the State of Louisiana via fax:
"LA DEQ [Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality] Radiation Section was notified on Thursday July 2, 2015, 2155 [CDT], by a representative from Toulong-Wong Engineers, Inc., of the theft of a Troxler MD [Moisture Density] Portable Gauge. The gauge and transport case was stolen from the bed of a Toyota Tundra pickup [Dark Gray newer Toyota Tundra pickup] parked in the front of the operator's residence. It was secured to the truck by two end cables, the case was locked and the gauge itself was locked. The end cables were cut and the transport container and gauge were stolen. The Gauge was a Troxler, Model 3430, s/n 25042, loaded with Cs-137 9 mCi, s/n 75-7211 and Am-241 44 mCi, s/n 47-21246.
"The LA [DEQ] has inspectors involved and will continue to keep NRC informed of the status of our investigation.
"LA Department of Environmental Quality, Radiation Section. The call came into the 24 hour emergency hotline. The Baton Rouge City Police [Department] was notified and a theft report was filed.
"[A] press release has been issued, with contact information, photos, and a reward for recovery."
Louisiana Incident # LA 150012
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: 51218 | Rep Org: TTL ASSOCIATES, INC.
Licensee: TTL ASSOCIATES, INC.
Region: 3
City: PLYMOUTH State: MI
County:
License #: 21-26666-01
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JEFF ELLIOTT
HQ OPS Officer: DANIEL MILLS | Notification Date: 07/09/2015
Notification Time: 15:10 [ET]
Event Date: 07/09/2015
Event Time: 14:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/09/2015 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
30.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE
| Person (Organization):
ANN MARIE STONE (R3DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFIC (EMAI)
| Event Text TROXLER MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE DAMAGED BY BULLDOZER
At a temporary construction site in Yale, MI, a Troxler Model 3440, s/n 26515, was run over by a bulldozer. The gauge user was injured and taken to a local hospital. TTL Associates, a materials testing lab located in Plymouth, MI, is responding to the scene to recover the damaged gauge and perform radiation surveys. Local HAZMAT was also contacted. The gauge was in a wheel barrow and not in use at the time it was struck. The licensee is contacting Troxler for instructions to return the gauge.
The Troxler Model 3440 contains two sources; Cs-137 and Am:Be-241 of 8 mCi and 40 mCi, respectively [typical values].
* * * UPDATE AT 1731 EDT ON 07/09/15 FROM JEFF ELLIOTT TO DANIEL MILLS * * *
The gauge was recovered from the construction site with the source still in the locked and stored position and is enroute to TTL Associates for evaluation prior to return to Troxler Labs. A survey of the affected area found no contamination. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 51236 | Facility: COOPER
Region: 4 State: NE
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4
NRC Notified By: JAMES DEDIC
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO | Notification Date: 07/16/2015
Notification Time: 04:41 [ET]
Event Date: 07/15/2015
Event Time: 23:32 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 07/16/2015 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
VINCENT GADDY (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 LOSS OF EMERGENCY ASSESSMENT CAPABILITY DUE TO METEOROLOGICAL TOWER SOFTWARE FAILURE
"This notification is being made due to a loss of emergency assessment capability in accordance with 10CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii). At 2332 [CDT], on 07/15/2015, the meteorological tower computer system software failed which resulted in a loss of meteorological data to the plant. Proceduralized compensatory measures for dose assessment include use of National Weather Service followed by historically determined default values. Information Technology personnel reported to the plant and successfully reset the software. Meteorological data to the plant was restored at 0216 [CDT] on 07/16/2015.
"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified." | |