Event Notification Report for October 18, 2016

CONTRABAND SUBSTANCE FOUND INSIDE PROTECTED AREA

"This report is being made pursuant to 10 CFR 26.719(b).

"At 0305 [CDT] today an unknown substance was identified inside the protected area (inside an emergency light fixture in the emergency escape hatch for containment). At 0456, local law enforcement determined [the substance] was likely a prohibited substance (marijuana). The substance was obviously very old, so is surmised to be from a preoperational period and unable to be positively tested.

"The item (a bag of leafy material, round metal tube, rope with washer, light bulb) was under the control of the site security department upon discovery and was turned over to local law enforcement for disposal.

"The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector."

FITNESS FOR DUTY

A non-licensed supervisory employee had a confirmed positive for alcohol during a random fitness-for-duty test.. Unescorted access to the plant has been denied.

"The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector."

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST TRITIUM EXIT SIGNS

The following was received from the State of Colorado via email:

"During the time the St Julien [Hotel and Spa] was under construction, the fire marshal indicated additional exit signs were needed. The subcontractor working as the intermediary service provider was Riviera Electric. They ordered 3 tritium exit signs to be used on the property. After several discussions, it was determined the tritium exit signs posed a hazard and liability issues. The final decision was not to install them on the property. The disposition of the 3 tritium exit signs is unknown. They are being reported as lost. Riviera Electric is no longer in business."

Event Report ID No.: CO16-I16-22

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

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION VIOLATION

"On October 18th, 2016, the logarithmic channel was rendered inoperable when a ground wire became detached from the log pre-amp. This, in combination with the pre-amps close proximity to other electrical wires, created enough noise to make the log channel reading unreliable. The reactor was operated for over an hour before the malfunction was identified. At that point, the reactor was scrammed and secured. The compromised ground was discovered and replaced, and the pre-amp was placed on a platform away from the interference of the other electrical components. This log channel reading returned to normal, but operations were still suspended until the channel could be more thoroughly tested. A Corrective Action Report (CAR) was initiated. This is a violation of Technical Specifications 3.2.2, 3.2.3 and 4.2(e). This report to the NRC Operations Center is required by Technical Specification 6.2.2."

The licensee has notified the NRC Project Manager (Wertz).