Event Notification Report for November 13, 2008
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
11/12/2008 - 11/13/2008
EVENT NUMBERS
4465444655446574465844669
Power Reactor
Event Number: 44654
Facility: HATCH
Region: 2 State: GA
Unit: [1] [2] []
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: SCOTT BRITT
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD
Region: 2 State: GA
Unit: [1] [2] []
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: SCOTT BRITT
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD
Notification Date: 11/13/2008
Notification Time: 03:04 [ET]
Event Date: 11/13/2008
Event Time: 01:02 [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/13/2008
Notification Time: 03:04 [ET]
Event Date: 11/13/2008
Event Time: 01:02 [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/13/2008
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 | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation |
| 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation |
LOSS OF NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PROMPT NOTIFICATION MESSAGES
"At approximately 0102 eastern time, Jacksonville National Weather service has notified Plant Hatch that the capability to broadcast prompt notification messages is NOT available at this time due to problems with the phone service. Emergency Preparedness personnel [DELETED] have been contacted to ensure proper notifications have been made. Security has notified state and local agencies along with Information Technology (IT) group of the problem. At 0145, Jacksonville National Weather service has reported that the problem with the phone service has been resolved and that the broadcast system has been restored. All agencies have been made aware of the NWS system return to service."
The licensee notified Georgia EMA, Appling County, Jeff Davis County, Tattnall County, and Toombs County.
The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector.
"At approximately 0102 eastern time, Jacksonville National Weather service has notified Plant Hatch that the capability to broadcast prompt notification messages is NOT available at this time due to problems with the phone service. Emergency Preparedness personnel [DELETED] have been contacted to ensure proper notifications have been made. Security has notified state and local agencies along with Information Technology (IT) group of the problem. At 0145, Jacksonville National Weather service has reported that the problem with the phone service has been resolved and that the broadcast system has been restored. All agencies have been made aware of the NWS system return to service."
The licensee notified Georgia EMA, Appling County, Jeff Davis County, Tattnall County, and Toombs County.
The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector.
Power Reactor
Event Number: 44655
Facility: FT CALHOUN
Region: 4 State: NE
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] CE
NRC Notified By: BILL BLESSIE
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD
Region: 4 State: NE
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] CE
NRC Notified By: BILL BLESSIE
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD
Notification Date: 11/13/2008
Notification Time: 03:22 [ET]
Event Date: 11/13/2008
Event Time: 00:20 [CST]
Last Update Date: 11/13/2008
Notification Time: 03:22 [ET]
Event Date: 11/13/2008
Event Time: 00:20 [CST]
Last Update Date: 11/13/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
Person (Organization):
JACK WHITTEN (R4)
JACK WHITTEN (R4)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation |
OIL SPILL FROM CIRCULATING WATER PUMP OIL SIGHT GLASS LINE
"On November 13, 2008, at 0020 CST, the State of Nebraska, Department of Environmental Quality and National Response Center were notified by Omaha Public Power District's Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station of an oil spill due to a crack in upper pump bearing sight glass line for 'C' Circulating Water Pump, CW-1C. The spill involved a small quantity of oil estimated to be less than one gallon to the intake Structure sump with trace amounts discharged to the Missouri River. Per Fort Calhoun Nuclear Stations' National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, the notifications were made and samples were taken for offsite analysis to determine if the quantity discharged involved an actual violation of the discharge permit.
"This notification is being made in accordance with 10 CFR 72.75 (b) (2) (xi), 4 hour non-emergency notification due to a notification being made to a Government Agency (State of Nebraska, Department of Environmental Quality and National Response Center)."
The licensee notified NRC Resident Inspector.
The licensee also notified the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and the National Response Center.
"On November 13, 2008, at 0020 CST, the State of Nebraska, Department of Environmental Quality and National Response Center were notified by Omaha Public Power District's Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station of an oil spill due to a crack in upper pump bearing sight glass line for 'C' Circulating Water Pump, CW-1C. The spill involved a small quantity of oil estimated to be less than one gallon to the intake Structure sump with trace amounts discharged to the Missouri River. Per Fort Calhoun Nuclear Stations' National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, the notifications were made and samples were taken for offsite analysis to determine if the quantity discharged involved an actual violation of the discharge permit.
"This notification is being made in accordance with 10 CFR 72.75 (b) (2) (xi), 4 hour non-emergency notification due to a notification being made to a Government Agency (State of Nebraska, Department of Environmental Quality and National Response Center)."
The licensee notified NRC Resident Inspector.
The licensee also notified the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and the National Response Center.
General Information or Other
Event Number: 44657
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: LUDLUM MEASUREMENTS
Region: 4
City: SWEETWATER State: TX
County:
License #: LO1963
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: RUBEN CORTEZ
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE
Licensee: LUDLUM MEASUREMENTS
Region: 4
City: SWEETWATER State: TX
County:
License #: LO1963
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: RUBEN CORTEZ
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE
Notification Date: 11/13/2008
Notification Time: 12:16 [ET]
Event Date: 11/13/2008
Event Time: 10:49 [CST]
Last Update Date: 11/18/2008
Notification Time: 12:16 [ET]
Event Date: 11/13/2008
Event Time: 10:49 [CST]
Last Update Date: 11/18/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
JACK WHITTEN (R4)
MICHELE BURGESS (FSME)
JACK WHITTEN (R4)
MICHELE BURGESS (FSME)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - BREACHED 90 MILLICURIE CS-137 SOURCE
"Ludlum-Sweetwater just called [state] to report a breached source. A 90 milliCurie cesium-137 source was cut open in the machine shop about 45 minutes ago. [A company representative] believes most of the contamination was contained to the machine shop area with a small amount being tracked to different parts of the plant.
"Workers were machining a piece of metal and did not realize it had a source in it. The workers were using a grinder and cutting on what they thought was a spacer. The source was to be mounted into a pig and used as a calibration source.
"The licensee needs assistance [from the state] with the names of companies licensed to assist with clean up."
Texas Incident Number: I-8580
UPDATE ON 11/14/2008 AT 1427 FROM ART TUCKER TO MARK ABRAMOVITZ * * *
The following information was received from the state via e-mail:
"On 11/13/08, Ludlum Instruments, a Texas licensee located in Sweetwater, Texas, reported that an employee accidentally breached a small Cesium (Cs) - 137 source while modifying a piece of calibration equipment. An [State of Texas] agency inspector was dispatched to the scene to investigate. Initial reports were that 40 or more employees were involved and that contamination had been spread by foot traffic through the facility.
"The inspector provided the following information.
"Ludlum has contracted an out-of-state company (Energy Solutions) to perform assessment and decontamination activities resulting from the breach of the 90 mCi Cesium (Cs) -137 source. The company will perform initial assessments over the weekend and begin operations Monday. Our [State of Texas] inspector reported that contamination levels were fairly low with some spots reading approximately five times background levels. That would equate to about 10,000 - 15,000 counts per minute on a scintillation detector.
"Ludlum has also contacted the Department of Energy's Radiation Emergency Assistance Center /Training Site for guidance on assessing possible internal deposition of material. Urine specimens are being collected for analysis to determine the presence of Cs-137.
"Overall, it appears that Ludlum acted quickly and responsibly in reporting and containing the contamination once it was discovered. We will continue to monitor the situation as the assessment and cleanup progresses.
"Ludlum has issued a press release and the story is being reported in the D/FW [Dallas/Fort Worth] area.
"Conversation with the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) at Ludlum on November 14, 2008, provided the following information:
"The whole facility is currently posted and controlled as a Contaminated Area. The area is isolated and posted 'Do Not Enter.' There has been some decontamination done by Ludlum, but they are going to wait for the contractor to assess the areas before removing barriers. Energy Solutions is due to arrive at the facility this afternoon (11/14/08). They should start work as soon as they receive reciprocity from the State of Texas. The RSO stated that they were in contact with our [State of Texas] Radioactive Materials Group Manager to expedite the reciprocity. They anticipate allowing some workers to return to work on Monday.
"The RSO stated that they have four individuals of concern currently. Oak Ridge recommended 24-hour in-vitro bioassays samples for those four individuals. No one was sent home contaminated. Two individuals were concerned that they may have taken contamination home. The homes were surveyed and no contamination was detected.
"Ludlum will begin reenactments and dose studies for the workers involved next week.
"The source was a gamma gauging source, AEA technology Model number CDC.800 source. The Cs-137 sources is an inorganic pellet, fired at high temperature to bond the Cs -137 in the ceramic pellet. The serial number has not yet been provided. It is currently believed that 30 to 40 percent of the 90 millicuries contained in the source was removed by the grinding operation.
"The RSO stated that a group was working on some calibrations and noted the background in their area was slowly increasing. At first they thought someone who had received a medical procedure was the cause, but tracked the source of the elevated dose rates to the individuals grinding on the source.
"The RSO stated that they had not conducted any air sampling of the area as they do not have the equipment necessary to do so. They will rely on bioassay results for internal dose assessments."
Notified R4DO (Whitten) and FSME (Flannery).
* * * UPDATE ON 11/14/2008 AT 1603 FROM ART TUCKER TO MARK ABRAMOVITZ * * *
"The Radiation Safety Officer states that the source was cut in half and that no grinder was involved in the process. She also stated that the calculated decayed activity of the source before it was damaged was 80 millicuries. The remaining sections of the source were assayed and the activity remaining is 48 millicuries. It is believed that the majority of the activity released is in the area of the saw. The source is 0.24 inches in diameter and 0.32 inches long and a cumulative wall thickness of 0.05 inches."
Notified the R4DO (Whitten) and FSME (McConnell).
* * * UPDATE ON 11/18/2008 AT 1123 FROM ART TUCKER TO MARK ABRAMOVITZ * * *
The following report was received via e-mail:
"The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) at Ludlum reported that the contractor should have a full compliment of workers and instruments today and that cleanup work should be in full swing later today. The RSO also stated that she had incorrectly stated that a cutter was used to cut the source in two. It was a grinder as first reported.
"The four workers identified as having potential body burdens have provided urinalysis samples and will receive whole body counts (WBC) at Comanche Nuclear Power Station on November 19, 2008. Ludlum currently intends to provide all of their workers with WBC.
"The facility is a 60,000 square foot facility. It is divided into several areas most having their own air handling system. Currently, the contamination appears to be mostly on the floor in areas out side the work area. No survey information is available in the work area where the source was breached."
Notified the R4DO (Cain) and FSME (Burgess).
"Ludlum-Sweetwater just called [state] to report a breached source. A 90 milliCurie cesium-137 source was cut open in the machine shop about 45 minutes ago. [A company representative] believes most of the contamination was contained to the machine shop area with a small amount being tracked to different parts of the plant.
"Workers were machining a piece of metal and did not realize it had a source in it. The workers were using a grinder and cutting on what they thought was a spacer. The source was to be mounted into a pig and used as a calibration source.
"The licensee needs assistance [from the state] with the names of companies licensed to assist with clean up."
Texas Incident Number: I-8580
UPDATE ON 11/14/2008 AT 1427 FROM ART TUCKER TO MARK ABRAMOVITZ * * *
The following information was received from the state via e-mail:
"On 11/13/08, Ludlum Instruments, a Texas licensee located in Sweetwater, Texas, reported that an employee accidentally breached a small Cesium (Cs) - 137 source while modifying a piece of calibration equipment. An [State of Texas] agency inspector was dispatched to the scene to investigate. Initial reports were that 40 or more employees were involved and that contamination had been spread by foot traffic through the facility.
"The inspector provided the following information.
"Ludlum has contracted an out-of-state company (Energy Solutions) to perform assessment and decontamination activities resulting from the breach of the 90 mCi Cesium (Cs) -137 source. The company will perform initial assessments over the weekend and begin operations Monday. Our [State of Texas] inspector reported that contamination levels were fairly low with some spots reading approximately five times background levels. That would equate to about 10,000 - 15,000 counts per minute on a scintillation detector.
"Ludlum has also contacted the Department of Energy's Radiation Emergency Assistance Center /Training Site for guidance on assessing possible internal deposition of material. Urine specimens are being collected for analysis to determine the presence of Cs-137.
"Overall, it appears that Ludlum acted quickly and responsibly in reporting and containing the contamination once it was discovered. We will continue to monitor the situation as the assessment and cleanup progresses.
"Ludlum has issued a press release and the story is being reported in the D/FW [Dallas/Fort Worth] area.
"Conversation with the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) at Ludlum on November 14, 2008, provided the following information:
"The whole facility is currently posted and controlled as a Contaminated Area. The area is isolated and posted 'Do Not Enter.' There has been some decontamination done by Ludlum, but they are going to wait for the contractor to assess the areas before removing barriers. Energy Solutions is due to arrive at the facility this afternoon (11/14/08). They should start work as soon as they receive reciprocity from the State of Texas. The RSO stated that they were in contact with our [State of Texas] Radioactive Materials Group Manager to expedite the reciprocity. They anticipate allowing some workers to return to work on Monday.
"The RSO stated that they have four individuals of concern currently. Oak Ridge recommended 24-hour in-vitro bioassays samples for those four individuals. No one was sent home contaminated. Two individuals were concerned that they may have taken contamination home. The homes were surveyed and no contamination was detected.
"Ludlum will begin reenactments and dose studies for the workers involved next week.
"The source was a gamma gauging source, AEA technology Model number CDC.800 source. The Cs-137 sources is an inorganic pellet, fired at high temperature to bond the Cs -137 in the ceramic pellet. The serial number has not yet been provided. It is currently believed that 30 to 40 percent of the 90 millicuries contained in the source was removed by the grinding operation.
"The RSO stated that a group was working on some calibrations and noted the background in their area was slowly increasing. At first they thought someone who had received a medical procedure was the cause, but tracked the source of the elevated dose rates to the individuals grinding on the source.
"The RSO stated that they had not conducted any air sampling of the area as they do not have the equipment necessary to do so. They will rely on bioassay results for internal dose assessments."
Notified R4DO (Whitten) and FSME (Flannery).
* * * UPDATE ON 11/14/2008 AT 1603 FROM ART TUCKER TO MARK ABRAMOVITZ * * *
"The Radiation Safety Officer states that the source was cut in half and that no grinder was involved in the process. She also stated that the calculated decayed activity of the source before it was damaged was 80 millicuries. The remaining sections of the source were assayed and the activity remaining is 48 millicuries. It is believed that the majority of the activity released is in the area of the saw. The source is 0.24 inches in diameter and 0.32 inches long and a cumulative wall thickness of 0.05 inches."
Notified the R4DO (Whitten) and FSME (McConnell).
* * * UPDATE ON 11/18/2008 AT 1123 FROM ART TUCKER TO MARK ABRAMOVITZ * * *
The following report was received via e-mail:
"The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) at Ludlum reported that the contractor should have a full compliment of workers and instruments today and that cleanup work should be in full swing later today. The RSO also stated that she had incorrectly stated that a cutter was used to cut the source in two. It was a grinder as first reported.
"The four workers identified as having potential body burdens have provided urinalysis samples and will receive whole body counts (WBC) at Comanche Nuclear Power Station on November 19, 2008. Ludlum currently intends to provide all of their workers with WBC.
"The facility is a 60,000 square foot facility. It is divided into several areas most having their own air handling system. Currently, the contamination appears to be mostly on the floor in areas out side the work area. No survey information is available in the work area where the source was breached."
Notified the R4DO (Cain) and FSME (Burgess).
Power Reactor
Event Number: 44658
Facility: HATCH
Region: 2 State: GA
Unit: [1] [2] []
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: SCOTT BRITT
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE
Region: 2 State: GA
Unit: [1] [2] []
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: SCOTT BRITT
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE
Notification Date: 11/13/2008
Notification Time: 21:43 [ET]
Event Date: 11/13/2008
Event Time: 20:31 [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/14/2008
Notification Time: 21:43 [ET]
Event Date: 11/13/2008
Event Time: 20:31 [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/14/2008
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 | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation |
| 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation |
LOSS OF PROMPT NOTIFICATION CAPABILITY
"At approximately 2031 Eastern time, Jacksonville National Weather service has notified Plant Hatch that the capability to broadcast prompt notification messages is not available at this time due to problems with the phone service. Emergency Preparedness personnel have been contacted to ensure proper notifications have been made. Security has notified state and local agencies along with Information Technology (IT) group of the problem."
The licensee has notified NRC Resident Inspector.
* * * UPDATE FROM SCOTT BRITT TO JOE O'HARA AT 0410 ON 11/14/08 * * *
At 2315 on 11/13/08, the National Weather Service notified the licensee that the notification network is available. However, the National Weather Service cannot guarantee that the system will remain operational due to on-going maintenance activities on the system. The licensee is monitoring the notification network and will provide an update once the maintenance is complete and system reliability is fully restored.
Notified R2DO(Bonser)
* * * UPDATE FROM BILL DUZALL TO JOHN KNOKE AT 1440 EST ON 11/14/08 * * *
Troubleshooting the system has been completed. Although the system was restored at 2315 EST on 11/13/08, the verification that the system would maintain operability was not completed until 1440 EST on 11/14/08.
The licensee has notified NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R2DO (Bonser).
"At approximately 2031 Eastern time, Jacksonville National Weather service has notified Plant Hatch that the capability to broadcast prompt notification messages is not available at this time due to problems with the phone service. Emergency Preparedness personnel have been contacted to ensure proper notifications have been made. Security has notified state and local agencies along with Information Technology (IT) group of the problem."
The licensee has notified NRC Resident Inspector.
* * * UPDATE FROM SCOTT BRITT TO JOE O'HARA AT 0410 ON 11/14/08 * * *
At 2315 on 11/13/08, the National Weather Service notified the licensee that the notification network is available. However, the National Weather Service cannot guarantee that the system will remain operational due to on-going maintenance activities on the system. The licensee is monitoring the notification network and will provide an update once the maintenance is complete and system reliability is fully restored.
Notified R2DO(Bonser)
* * * UPDATE FROM BILL DUZALL TO JOHN KNOKE AT 1440 EST ON 11/14/08 * * *
Troubleshooting the system has been completed. Although the system was restored at 2315 EST on 11/13/08, the verification that the system would maintain operability was not completed until 1440 EST on 11/14/08.
The licensee has notified NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R2DO (Bonser).
General Information or Other
Event Number: 44669
Rep Org: LOUISIANA RADIATION PROTECTION DIV
Licensee: LOUISIANA TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Region: 4
City: OPELOUSAS State: LA
County:
License #: LA-1704-L01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ANN TROXLER
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ
Licensee: LOUISIANA TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Region: 4
City: OPELOUSAS State: LA
County:
License #: LA-1704-L01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ANN TROXLER
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ
Notification Date: 11/20/2008
Notification Time: 14:24 [ET]
Event Date: 11/13/2008
Event Time: 09:25 [CST]
Last Update Date: 11/20/2008
Notification Time: 14:24 [ET]
Event Date: 11/13/2008
Event Time: 09:25 [CST]
Last Update Date: 11/20/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
CHUCK CAIN (R4)
TERRENCE REIS (FSME)
CHUCK CAIN (R4)
TERRENCE REIS (FSME)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DISCONNECTED RADIOGRAPHY SOURCE
The following report was received via facsimile:
"On November 13, 2008, around 9:25AM at the Louisiana Technical College - T.H. Harris Campus, Nondestructive Testing Department had a misconnection on an Amertest 660B camera with serial number 1641 from the control cable to the source assembly. The camera had a 43.9 Ci source of Ir-192 with serial number 48634B. The students cranked the source out to do the area survey. After completion of the survey, they tried to return the source to it's shielded position. At that time, they could not return it back to the shielded position. The RSO was notified and determined it could possibly be a misconnect. QSA Global was called to retrieve the source. QSA Global retrieved the source and performed further evaluation. The camera and source were returned to QSA Global. QSA Global determined that it could possibly be a defective male connection on the source assembly. All safety procedures were followed. According to the facility, none of the students were in any kind of danger of being overexposed."
LA Event Report: LA0800024
The following report was received via facsimile:
"On November 13, 2008, around 9:25AM at the Louisiana Technical College - T.H. Harris Campus, Nondestructive Testing Department had a misconnection on an Amertest 660B camera with serial number 1641 from the control cable to the source assembly. The camera had a 43.9 Ci source of Ir-192 with serial number 48634B. The students cranked the source out to do the area survey. After completion of the survey, they tried to return the source to it's shielded position. At that time, they could not return it back to the shielded position. The RSO was notified and determined it could possibly be a misconnect. QSA Global was called to retrieve the source. QSA Global retrieved the source and performed further evaluation. The camera and source were returned to QSA Global. QSA Global determined that it could possibly be a defective male connection on the source assembly. All safety procedures were followed. According to the facility, none of the students were in any kind of danger of being overexposed."
LA Event Report: LA0800024