Event Notification Report for October 03, 2010
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
10/02/2010 - 10/03/2010
EVENT NUMBERS
46316
General Information or Other
Event Number: 46316
Rep Org: ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: TEAM INDUSTRIAL SERVICES
Region: 4
City: FULTON State: AR
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: STEVE MACK
HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL
Licensee: TEAM INDUSTRIAL SERVICES
Region: 4
City: FULTON State: AR
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: STEVE MACK
HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL
Notification Date: 10/07/2010
Notification Time: 15:45 [ET]
Event Date: 10/03/2010
Event Time: 00:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 10/22/2010
Notification Time: 15:45 [ET]
Event Date: 10/03/2010
Event Time: 00:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 10/22/2010
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
MICHAEL SHANNON (R4DO)
PAUL MICHALAK (FSME)
MICHAEL SHANNON (R4DO)
PAUL MICHALAK (FSME)
AGREEMENT STATE - RADIOGRAPHY SOURCE FAILED TO RETRACT
"On October 4, 2010, the Arkansas Radiation Control Program was notified by Team Industrial Services, Arkansas license number ARK-0344-03320, involving the failure of a radiography source to retract into the camera. The radiography crew involved in this incident was based in Sulphur, Louisiana.
"On October 3, 2010, radiography work was being conducted in Fulton, Arkansas using a rented SPEC-300 Camera, serial number 017, containing a 27 Curie SPEC G-70 source, serial number GE2503, both manufactured by Source Production and Equipment Company. The source was last leak tested on 10/1/2010. A J-Tube manufactured by QSA, owned by the licensee, was also employed in the radiography work.
"The source was cranked out of the SPEC-300 and the radiographer was unable to retract the source back into the camera. The radiography crew contacted the RSO and the crew attempted to safely straighten out the guide tube. After realigning the guide tube, the source was retracted into the camera.
"After the source was determined to be safely stored in the camera, the crew returned to the office to determine the cause of the inability to retract the source. SPEC was also notified.
"At this time, no overexposures have been reported by the licensee.
"The Radiation Control Program is awaiting a written report on the incident from the licensee."
Report #: ARK-0344-03320
* * * UPDATE FROM STEVE MACK TO ERIC SIMPSON AT 1500 EDT ON 10/22/10 * * *
The following report was received from the State of Arkansas via e-mail:
"The [Arkansas Department of Health (ADH)] received a written report in accordance with RH-1801.k of the Arkansas Regulations describing the event, root cause and exposure information.
"The SPEC G-70 source is a Cobalt-60 source.
"During the initial exposure, it is believed that the source did not reach the end of the J-Tube and was temporarily 'hung up' at the connection between the guide tube and J-Tube. The radiography crew re-verified the controlled area boundaries and made notifications. After consulting with the local RSO for the radiography crew and the Corporate RSO an attempt was made to 'straighten' the guide tube to decrease the likelihood of any binding of the crank-out/source and the guide tube. After the utilization of a 'long pole' the source was able to be retracted and locked into the exposure device. Surveys were made and the exposure device was transported to the office of the radiography crew. The total time the source was exposed was 60 minutes.
"Inspections of the exposure device, guide tubes, crank out, and source revealed all were in proper working condition. SPEC has stated that the J-Tube utilized is not approve for use with the device and that no J-Tubes are approved for use with the SPEC-300 and G-70 Co-60 source configuration.
"Total exposure from the direct reading pocket dosimeters: lead radiographer 90 mRem; radiographer A, 12 mRem; and radiographer B, 8 mRem. There were no exposures above the annual limit to any members of the public due to this event.
"It appears that the root cause of the event was incompatibility of the J-Tube and source. The State of Louisiana has been notified of this event and the written report will also be forwarded.
"The [ADH] considers this event closed."
Notified R4DO (Campbell) and FSME EO (Einberg).
"On October 4, 2010, the Arkansas Radiation Control Program was notified by Team Industrial Services, Arkansas license number ARK-0344-03320, involving the failure of a radiography source to retract into the camera. The radiography crew involved in this incident was based in Sulphur, Louisiana.
"On October 3, 2010, radiography work was being conducted in Fulton, Arkansas using a rented SPEC-300 Camera, serial number 017, containing a 27 Curie SPEC G-70 source, serial number GE2503, both manufactured by Source Production and Equipment Company. The source was last leak tested on 10/1/2010. A J-Tube manufactured by QSA, owned by the licensee, was also employed in the radiography work.
"The source was cranked out of the SPEC-300 and the radiographer was unable to retract the source back into the camera. The radiography crew contacted the RSO and the crew attempted to safely straighten out the guide tube. After realigning the guide tube, the source was retracted into the camera.
"After the source was determined to be safely stored in the camera, the crew returned to the office to determine the cause of the inability to retract the source. SPEC was also notified.
"At this time, no overexposures have been reported by the licensee.
"The Radiation Control Program is awaiting a written report on the incident from the licensee."
Report #: ARK-0344-03320
* * * UPDATE FROM STEVE MACK TO ERIC SIMPSON AT 1500 EDT ON 10/22/10 * * *
The following report was received from the State of Arkansas via e-mail:
"The [Arkansas Department of Health (ADH)] received a written report in accordance with RH-1801.k of the Arkansas Regulations describing the event, root cause and exposure information.
"The SPEC G-70 source is a Cobalt-60 source.
"During the initial exposure, it is believed that the source did not reach the end of the J-Tube and was temporarily 'hung up' at the connection between the guide tube and J-Tube. The radiography crew re-verified the controlled area boundaries and made notifications. After consulting with the local RSO for the radiography crew and the Corporate RSO an attempt was made to 'straighten' the guide tube to decrease the likelihood of any binding of the crank-out/source and the guide tube. After the utilization of a 'long pole' the source was able to be retracted and locked into the exposure device. Surveys were made and the exposure device was transported to the office of the radiography crew. The total time the source was exposed was 60 minutes.
"Inspections of the exposure device, guide tubes, crank out, and source revealed all were in proper working condition. SPEC has stated that the J-Tube utilized is not approve for use with the device and that no J-Tubes are approved for use with the SPEC-300 and G-70 Co-60 source configuration.
"Total exposure from the direct reading pocket dosimeters: lead radiographer 90 mRem; radiographer A, 12 mRem; and radiographer B, 8 mRem. There were no exposures above the annual limit to any members of the public due to this event.
"It appears that the root cause of the event was incompatibility of the J-Tube and source. The State of Louisiana has been notified of this event and the written report will also be forwarded.
"The [ADH] considers this event closed."
Notified R4DO (Campbell) and FSME EO (Einberg).