Event Notification Report for October 20, 2006
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
10/19/2006 - 10/20/2006
Power Reactor
Event Number: 42922
Facility: HATCH
Region: 2 State: GA
Unit: [1] [2] []
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: P. UNDERWOOD
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN MacKINNON
Region: 2 State: GA
Unit: [1] [2] []
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: P. UNDERWOOD
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN MacKINNON
Notification Date: 10/20/2006
Notification Time: 11:17 [ET]
Event Date: 10/20/2006
Event Time: 09:25 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/20/2006
Notification Time: 11:17 [ET]
Event Date: 10/20/2006
Event Time: 09:25 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/20/2006
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
Person (Organization):
BRIAN BONSER (R2)
BRIAN BONSER (R2)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N | Y | 99 | Power Operation | 99 | Power Operation |
| 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation |
PLANNED MAINTENANCE FOR HATCH EMERGENCY HVAC HEALTH PHYSICS CONTROL POINT/CHEMISTRY LAB AREA
"On 10/20/2006, the emergency HVAC for the Hatch Nuclear Plant's Health Physics (HP) Control Point /Chemistry Lab area was removed from service for planned corrective maintenance and inspections and testing activities. The HP emergency HVAC is required for functionality of the Operations Support Center (OSC). This area is normally utilized by HP/Chem personnel for analysis of samples during normal as well as emergency conditions. These work activities are planned to be performed and completed within a 12 hour work shift. During the time these activities are being performed, the HP emergency HVAC and filter train will not be available for operation for approximately four (4) hours. As such, the HP emergency HVAC will be rendered non-functional during the performance of this work activity. The OSC working area itself, however, does not lose EP functionality throughout this evolution.
"The HP emergency HVAC provides climate control for Health Physics control point and Chemistry Lab areas. If an emergency condition requiring activation of the OSC occurs during the time these work activities are being performed, then contingency plans call for utilization of the HP Control Point/Chemistry Lab areas as long as radiological conditions allow. Respiratory protection equipment will be utilized as appropriate for emergency responders until the HP emergency HVAC is returned to service. This event is reportable per 10CFR50.72 (b)(3)(xiii) as described in NUREG-1022, Rev. 2 since this work activity affects an emergency response facility for the duration of the evolution."
The NRC Resident Inspector was notified of this event by the licensee.
"On 10/20/2006, the emergency HVAC for the Hatch Nuclear Plant's Health Physics (HP) Control Point /Chemistry Lab area was removed from service for planned corrective maintenance and inspections and testing activities. The HP emergency HVAC is required for functionality of the Operations Support Center (OSC). This area is normally utilized by HP/Chem personnel for analysis of samples during normal as well as emergency conditions. These work activities are planned to be performed and completed within a 12 hour work shift. During the time these activities are being performed, the HP emergency HVAC and filter train will not be available for operation for approximately four (4) hours. As such, the HP emergency HVAC will be rendered non-functional during the performance of this work activity. The OSC working area itself, however, does not lose EP functionality throughout this evolution.
"The HP emergency HVAC provides climate control for Health Physics control point and Chemistry Lab areas. If an emergency condition requiring activation of the OSC occurs during the time these work activities are being performed, then contingency plans call for utilization of the HP Control Point/Chemistry Lab areas as long as radiological conditions allow. Respiratory protection equipment will be utilized as appropriate for emergency responders until the HP emergency HVAC is returned to service. This event is reportable per 10CFR50.72 (b)(3)(xiii) as described in NUREG-1022, Rev. 2 since this work activity affects an emergency response facility for the duration of the evolution."
The NRC Resident Inspector was notified of this event by the licensee.
General Information or Other
Event Number: 42927
Rep Org: OHIO BUREAU OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: OHMART/VEGA CORPORATION
Region: 3
City: CINCINNATI State: OH
County:
License #: 03214310020
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: STEPHEN JAMES
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN MacKINNON
Licensee: OHMART/VEGA CORPORATION
Region: 3
City: CINCINNATI State: OH
County:
License #: 03214310020
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: STEPHEN JAMES
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN MacKINNON
Notification Date: 10/23/2006
Notification Time: 11:26 [ET]
Event Date: 10/20/2006
Event Time: 16:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/27/2006
Notification Time: 11:26 [ET]
Event Date: 10/20/2006
Event Time: 16:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/27/2006
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
MARK RING (R3)
SANDRA WASTLER (NMSS)
MARK RING (R3)
SANDRA WASTLER (NMSS)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT FROM OHIO: CONTAMINATION INCIDENT IN SOURCE HANDLING FACILITIES
Agreements State report received via e-mail
Event Cause: Inadequate Procedure
"The Bureau was notified at approximately 4:00 PM on Friday, 10/20/06 that the licensee experienced a contamination incident in their source handling facilities. The licensee stated that a 10 mCi Cesium-137 source had been breached during source disposal operations. The source was breached when a source holder was being cut or drilled to remove the source. Contamination was detected on the individual conducting the source removal operations, throughout the source storage room, and outside in the source handling area. Note that these are all controlled access/restricted areas within the facility. The contamination on the individual was located on the clothing, hair, arms and hands. The individual underwent onsite decontamination and was sent to a local hospital as a precautionary measure. As of today (10/23/06) there is still some residual contamination on the individual's finger tips; however, further scrubbing to remove this contamination may cause breakdown to the skin in that area. The individual is currently wearing gloves in an attempt to sweat out the residual cesium contamination. The individual is scheduled for a whole body scan on Wednesday, 10/25/06. The source handling area was secured and closed to all personnel over the weekend. A decontamination contractor has been retained by the licensee to arrive on site on Monday, 10/23/06. A Bureau of Radiation Protection inspector will arrive on site on Wednesday, 10/25/06 to assess the contractor's decontamination efforts and to further investigate the circumstances that caused the contamination event. This information is current as of 10:00 AM on Monday, 10/23/06."
"Corrective Actions: Not Reported
Contamination to person: 0.010 Curies, 0.37 GBq of Cs-137 (Personnel Contamination)
Surface Contamination: 0.01 curies, 0.37 GBq of Cs-137 (Temporary Rad. Controls)
Form of Radioactive: Sealed Source
Source Used: Fixed Gauge
Reporting Requirement: 20.2203 30 day report - Reports of exposures, radiation levels, and concentrations of radioactive material exceeding the constraints or limits.
Mode Reported: Telephone
Reference Number: H 2006-092
Entry Date: 10/23/2006
Coder Initials: SMJ
Reference Type: Agreement State Event Report.
* * * UPDATE FROM OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (MICHAEL SNEE) TO JOE O'HARA ON 10/25/06 AT 1036 EDT VIA E-MAIL * * *
"Two separate Cs-137 sources were involved in the incident. Both were in TN model 5178/5178A source holders. The licensee's employee could not open the holders to remove the sources for disposal. The employee misunderstood where the sources were located in the holders and cut one holder (containing a 11 mCi source) with a bandsaw while drilling into the other holder (containing a 26 mCi source). The saw cut into the source and the drill bit broke and stuck in the source capsule. The contamination was contained to the secure source handling area. A contractor is on site to perform the facility decontamination."
Notified the R3DO (Ring) and NMSS EO (Wastler)
* * * UPDATE FROM OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (STEVEN JAMES) TO JASON KOZAL ON 10/27/06 AT 1119 EDT * * *
The State provided the following information via email:
"Bureau staff visited the site on Wednesday, 10/25/06 to meet with the licensee and the decontamination contractor to review the circumstances which led to the contamination of the facility and the licensee's worker, as well as the decontamination efforts taken to date. Further investigation will be conducted by the Bureau. The contaminated employee underwent a whole body count on Thursday, 10/26/06. The results of that scan indicated the presence of 3.61 nanocuries in the lungs. The count will be repeated in two weeks. Note that the individual has been described by the licensee as a 'heavy smoker.' The individual is scheduled to undergo two 24-hour urine collections over the coming weekend for analysis on Monday, 10/30/06. Dose estimates will be prepared by the licensee and their medical consultant after the urine samples have been analyzed."
Notified the R3DO (Ring) and NMSS EO (C. Flannery)
Agreements State report received via e-mail
Event Cause: Inadequate Procedure
"The Bureau was notified at approximately 4:00 PM on Friday, 10/20/06 that the licensee experienced a contamination incident in their source handling facilities. The licensee stated that a 10 mCi Cesium-137 source had been breached during source disposal operations. The source was breached when a source holder was being cut or drilled to remove the source. Contamination was detected on the individual conducting the source removal operations, throughout the source storage room, and outside in the source handling area. Note that these are all controlled access/restricted areas within the facility. The contamination on the individual was located on the clothing, hair, arms and hands. The individual underwent onsite decontamination and was sent to a local hospital as a precautionary measure. As of today (10/23/06) there is still some residual contamination on the individual's finger tips; however, further scrubbing to remove this contamination may cause breakdown to the skin in that area. The individual is currently wearing gloves in an attempt to sweat out the residual cesium contamination. The individual is scheduled for a whole body scan on Wednesday, 10/25/06. The source handling area was secured and closed to all personnel over the weekend. A decontamination contractor has been retained by the licensee to arrive on site on Monday, 10/23/06. A Bureau of Radiation Protection inspector will arrive on site on Wednesday, 10/25/06 to assess the contractor's decontamination efforts and to further investigate the circumstances that caused the contamination event. This information is current as of 10:00 AM on Monday, 10/23/06."
"Corrective Actions: Not Reported
Contamination to person: 0.010 Curies, 0.37 GBq of Cs-137 (Personnel Contamination)
Surface Contamination: 0.01 curies, 0.37 GBq of Cs-137 (Temporary Rad. Controls)
Form of Radioactive: Sealed Source
Source Used: Fixed Gauge
Reporting Requirement: 20.2203 30 day report - Reports of exposures, radiation levels, and concentrations of radioactive material exceeding the constraints or limits.
Mode Reported: Telephone
Reference Number: H 2006-092
Entry Date: 10/23/2006
Coder Initials: SMJ
Reference Type: Agreement State Event Report.
* * * UPDATE FROM OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (MICHAEL SNEE) TO JOE O'HARA ON 10/25/06 AT 1036 EDT VIA E-MAIL * * *
"Two separate Cs-137 sources were involved in the incident. Both were in TN model 5178/5178A source holders. The licensee's employee could not open the holders to remove the sources for disposal. The employee misunderstood where the sources were located in the holders and cut one holder (containing a 11 mCi source) with a bandsaw while drilling into the other holder (containing a 26 mCi source). The saw cut into the source and the drill bit broke and stuck in the source capsule. The contamination was contained to the secure source handling area. A contractor is on site to perform the facility decontamination."
Notified the R3DO (Ring) and NMSS EO (Wastler)
* * * UPDATE FROM OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (STEVEN JAMES) TO JASON KOZAL ON 10/27/06 AT 1119 EDT * * *
The State provided the following information via email:
"Bureau staff visited the site on Wednesday, 10/25/06 to meet with the licensee and the decontamination contractor to review the circumstances which led to the contamination of the facility and the licensee's worker, as well as the decontamination efforts taken to date. Further investigation will be conducted by the Bureau. The contaminated employee underwent a whole body count on Thursday, 10/26/06. The results of that scan indicated the presence of 3.61 nanocuries in the lungs. The count will be repeated in two weeks. Note that the individual has been described by the licensee as a 'heavy smoker.' The individual is scheduled to undergo two 24-hour urine collections over the coming weekend for analysis on Monday, 10/30/06. Dose estimates will be prepared by the licensee and their medical consultant after the urine samples have been analyzed."
Notified the R3DO (Ring) and NMSS EO (C. Flannery)