Home NRC Library Document Collections Events, Reports Associated with Event Notification Reports 2020

Event Notification Report for May 15, 2020

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
5/14/2020 - 5/15/2020

** EVENT NUMBERS **

!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED.THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Power Reactor	Event Number: 54687
Facility: COOK Region: 3 State: MI Unit: [] [2] [] RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP NRC Notified By: RODNEY PICKARD HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD	Notification Date: 05/01/2020 Notification Time: 11:53 [ET] Event Date: 05/01/2020 Event Time: 03:54 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/15/2020
Emergency Class: Non Emergency 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(2)(i) - Plant S/D Reqd By Ts 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A) - Degraded Condition	Person (Organization): ANN MARIE STONE (R3DO)

Unit

SCRAM Code

RX Crit

Initial PWR

Initial RX Mode

Current PWR

Current RX Mode

100

Power Operation

Hot Standby

Event Text

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION REQUIRED SHUTDOWN DUE TO REACTOR COOLANT SYSTEM PRESSURE BOUNDARY LEAKAGE

"At 1000 EDT on May 1 2020, Operations commenced a shutdown of DC Cook Unit 2 to comply with LCO 3.4.13, Condition B Reactor Coolant System (RCS) pressure boundary leakage.

"At 0354 EDT on May 1, 2020, Operations detected an estimated 8 gpm Reactor Coolant System leak. The source of the leak could not be identified and Tech Spec 3.4.13, Condition A was entered for unidentified RCS leakage in excess of the 0.8 gpm limit.

"At 0745 EDT on May 1, 2020, Unit 2 entered LCO 3.4.13, Condition B when the 4-hour limit to complete the required actions of Condition A could not be met.

"At 0945 EDT on May 1, 2020, Unit 2 entered LCO 3.4.13, Condition B when the 4-hour limit to complete the required actions of Condition A could not be met.

"At 0945 EDT on May 1, 2020, inspections inside containment identified the leak as pressure boundary leakage from a pressurizer spray line which also requires entry into LCO 3.4.13, Condition B.

"At 1059 EDT on May 1, Unit 2 was tripped from 15 percent power. All systems functioned normally.

"This event is reportable under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(i), the initiation of any nuclear plant shutdown required by the plant's Technical Specifications as a 4-hour report and under 10 CFR 50.72 (b)(3)(ii)(A), degraded condition, as an 8-hour report. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."

* * * PARTIAL RETRACTION ON 5/15/2020 AT 1442 EDT FROM BUD HINCKLEY TO THOMAS HERRITY * * *

"The condition identified in EN #54687, pursuant to 10 CFR 50.72 (b)(3)(ii)(a) has been evaluated, and has been determined not to be RCS pressure boundary leakage. As such, the 8-hour report is being retracted, as it is not an event or condition that results in, 'the condition of the nuclear power plant, including its principal safety barriers, being seriously degraded.'

"The leakage was subsequently determined to be from the tell-tale nipple of a pressurizer spray valve, not from the pressurizer spray line piping as previously reported. The Reactor Coolant Pressure Boundary (RCPB) is formed by the valve body, plug, seat, body to bonnet extension, and bonnet of the pressurizer spray valve. Therefore, the leakage is not RCPB leakage.

"There is no change to the 4-hour report made under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(i), the initiation of any nuclear plant shutdown required by the plant's Technical Specifications.

"The NRC Resident Inspector was notified of this retraction."

Notified R3DO (Stone).

Agreement State	Event Number: 54696
Rep Org: PA BUREAU OF RADIATION PROTECTION Licensee: HOLY SPIRIT HOSPITAL Region: 1 City: MECHANICSBURG State: PA County: License #: PA-0249 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: JOHN CHIPPO HQ OPS Officer: ANDREW WAUGH	Notification Date: 05/06/2020 Notification Time: 12:43 [ET] Event Date: 05/05/2020 Event Time: 00:00 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/12/2020
Emergency Class: Non Emergency 10 CFR Section: Agreement State	Person (Organization): GLENN DENTEL (R1DO) NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - MEDICAL EVENT

The following information was received via email:

"The Department [Pennsylvania Bureau of Radiation Protection] received notification from a licensee on May 5, 2020, of a medical event involving a Varian GammMedplus iX high dose rate remote afterloader (HDR) containing 8.6 Ci of iridium 192. The patient was set to receive 10 fractions (channels) of breast cancer treatment. An error was noted when treatment from the third channel was attempted. The source was retracted back into the safe position upon the error indication. Staff reset the unit and rebooted. The unit functioned normally for the fourth channel. During the fifth channel the machine experienced another fault, but the source did not automatically retract. Staff then attempted two emergency stop procedures; however, both failed. Staff were finally able to manually retract the source after approximately two to four minutes; however, it hasn't been determined if the source was completely retracted into the shielded safe on the HDR due to catheter interference. The patient was quickly disconnected from the catheter, everyone was immediately removed, and the room was secured from entry. No dose is expected outside the HDR room as it is housed within an accelerator vault. The manufacturer has been contacted. The licensee has also requested the log files from the manufacturer for dose reconstruction of those involved. The department is currently in contact with the licensee and will update this event as soon as more information is provided."

PA Event Report ID No: PA200011

* * * UPDATE ON 5/7/20 AT 1208 EDT FROM JOHN CHIPPO TO ANDREW WAUGH * * *

The following information was received via email:

"Manufacturer service technicians removed the wire/source from the afterloader on 5/6/2020. Preliminarily, it appears the source became stuck approximately 4 to 5 inches from the shielded park position (inside the afterloader, but outside the shielded safe). Dosimetry badges have been sent for emergency read, results are expected today, and those results are expected to be minimal."

The patient and all personnel involved were surveyed after the incident and readings were at background levels.

Notified R1DO (Dentel) and NMSS Event Notifications (email).

* * * UPDATE ON 5/12/20 AT 1158 EDT FROM JOHN CHIPPO TO JEFFREY WHITED * * *

The following information was received via email:

"The preliminary dosimetry report indicates three staff members involved in the event. The technologist received 4 mrem whole body dose, the authorized user received 3 mrem whole body dose and the AMP received 3 mrem whole body dose and a 15 mrem dose on their finger dosimeter. No other dose information was received at this time."

Notified R1DO (Lally) and NMSS Event Notifications (email).

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.

Agreement State	Event Number: 54698
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES Licensee: ECS-TEXAS LLP Region: 4 City: CARROLLTON State: TX County: License #: L05384 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: ART TUCKER HQ OPS Officer: BETHANY CECERE	Notification Date: 05/07/2020 Notification Time: 20:41 [ET] Event Date: 05/07/2020 Event Time: 00:00 [CDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2020
Emergency Class: Non Emergency 10 CFR Section: Agreement State	Person (Organization): JAMES DRAKE (R4DO) NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DAMAGED NUCLEAR GAUGE

The following was received from the state of Texas by email:

"On May 7, 2020, the Agency was notified by the licensee that a Humboldt model 5001 EZ was damaged at a temporary job site [in Dallas, TX]. The gauge contains a 40 milliCurie americium-241 source and an 8 milliCurie cesium-137 source. The gauge was struck by the bucket of a Bobcat machine breaking the handle rod. The cesium source was in the fully shielded position. The cesium source could not be operated. The technician set up a barrier and contacted the radiation safety officer (RSO.) The RSO performed a radiation survey and measured the dose rate at two feet from the gauge at 0.15 millirem per hour, which is normal according to the licensee. The gauge was returned to the licensee's facility. No individual received a significant exposure due to this event. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."

Texas Incident #: 9764

* * * UPDATE FROM ART TUCKER TO BRIAN P. SMITH AT 1046 EDT ON 5/11/2020 * * *

The following update was received from the state of Texas by email:

"On May 8, 2020, the licensee notified the Agency that the activity of the cesium source involved in this event was 10 milliCuries and not 8 milliCuries as previously reported. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."

Notified R4DO (O'Keefe), and via E-mail: NMSS Events Notifications E-mail group

Power Reactor	Event Number: 54712
Facility: Catawba Region: 2 State: SC Unit: [1] [2] [] RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP NRC Notified By: Walter Hunnicutt HQ OPS Officer: Kerby Scales	Notification Date: 05/14/2020 Notification Time: 18:36 [ET] Event Date: 05/14/2020 Event Time: 16:30 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/14/2020
Emergency Class: Non Emergency 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(2)(xi) - Offsite Notification	Person (Organization): MARK MILLER (R2DO) CHRIS MILLER (NRR EO) WILLIAM GOTT (IRD)

Unit

SCRAM Code

RX Crit

Initial PWR

Initial RX Mode

Current PWR

Current RX Mode

Refueling

100

Power Operation

100

Power Operation

Event Text

OFFSITE NOTIFICATION DUE TO CONTRACTOR FATALITY

"At approximately 1430 [EDT] on May 14, 2020, Catawba Nuclear Station (CNS) requested offsite transport for treatment of a contractor to an offsite medical facility. Upon arrival of the coroner, the individual was declared deceased at 1630 [EDT] on May 14, 2020.

"The fatality was not work-related and the individual was outside of the Radiological Controlled Area. No news release by CNS is planned. Notifications are planned to the South Carolina Division of Occupational Safety and Health.

"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."

Power Reactor	Event Number: 54714
Facility: South Texas Region: 4 State: TX Unit: [1] [2] [] RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP NRC Notified By: Daniel Turkasz HQ OPS Officer: Kerby Scales	Notification Date: 05/14/2020 Notification Time: 19:28 [ET] Event Date: 05/14/2020 Event Time: 16:10 [CDT] Last Update Date: 05/14/2020
Emergency Class: Non Emergency 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(2)(xi) - Offsite Notification	Person (Organization): NEIL O'KEEFE (R4DO)

Unit

SCRAM Code

RX Crit

Initial PWR

Initial RX Mode

Current PWR

Current RX Mode

100

Power Operation

100

Power Operation

100

Power Operation

100

Power Operation

Event Text

OFFSITE NOTIFICATION FOR HYDRAULIC OIL RELEASE

"At 1535 CDT, on 5/14/2020, it was determined that approximately 10 gallons of hydraulic oil was spilled during dredging activities into the STP Intake Basin (adjacent to the Colorado River). Cleanup using oil booms is underway and there is no longer a visible sheen. The cause of the hydraulic oil spill is under investigation.

"The Texas General Land Office was notified at 1610 CDT.

"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."

Power Reactor	Event Number: 54716
Facility: Salem Region: 1 State: NJ Unit: [] [2] [] RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP NRC Notified By: Scott Rydell HQ OPS Officer: Howie Crouch	Notification Date: 05/15/2020 Notification Time: 13:25 [ET] Event Date: 05/15/2020 Event Time: 09:47 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/15/2020
Emergency Class: Non Emergency 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(2)(xi) - Offsite Notification	Person (Organization): CHRISTOPHER LALLY (R1DO)

Unit

SCRAM Code

RX Crit

Initial PWR

Initial RX Mode

Current PWR

Current RX Mode

Hot Standby

Event Text

OFFSITE NOTIFICATION DUE TO A HYDRAULIC OIL SPILL

"At 0947 [EDT] on 5/15/20, Salem reported to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection a sheen on the Delaware River. This discovery did not violate any NRC [Nuclear Regulatory Commission] regulations or reporting criteria. This notification is being made solely as a four-hour, non-emergency notification for a Notification of Other Government Agency. This event is reportable in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi).

"There was no impact on the health and safety of the public or plant personnel.

"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."

The licensee will be notifying the National Response Center and Lower Alloways Creek Township. The substance spilled was less than one pint of hydraulic oil.

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Thursday, March 25, 2021