Event Notification Report for September 15, 2020
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
09/14/2020 - 09/15/2020
EVENT NUMBERS
54901
Fuel Cycle Facility
Event Number: 54901
Facility: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
Region: 2 State: SC
Unit: [] [] []
RX Type: Uranium Fuel Fabrication
NRC Notified By: Elise Malek
HQ OPS Officer: Bethany Cecere
Region: 2 State: SC
Unit: [] [] []
RX Type: Uranium Fuel Fabrication
NRC Notified By: Elise Malek
HQ OPS Officer: Bethany Cecere
Notification Date: 09/16/2020
Notification Time: 08:50 [ET]
Event Date: 09/15/2020
Event Time: 09:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/16/2020
Notification Time: 08:50 [ET]
Event Date: 09/15/2020
Event Time: 09:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/16/2020
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
70.50(b)(3) - Med Treat Involving Contam
10 CFR Section:
70.50(b)(3) - Med Treat Involving Contam
Person (Organization):
MARK MILLER (R2DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
GRETCHEN RIVERA-CAPELLA (NMSS DAY)
WILLIAM GOTT (IRD)
MARK MILLER (R2DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
GRETCHEN RIVERA-CAPELLA (NMSS DAY)
WILLIAM GOTT (IRD)
UNPLANNED MEDICAL TREATMENT
"On September 15, 2020, at approximately 0900 EDT, a Westinghouse employee performing routine work in the Conversion Decontamination Area was exposed to nitric acid on the bottom of the right foot due to an issue with his protective footwear. The nitric acid came in contact with the employee's footwear impacting the bottom of the right foot. Appropriate treatment for exposure to nitric acid was provided by onsite medical response staff, and per procedure the employee's foot was wrapped in plastic, and the employee was transported to an offsite medical facility accompanied by plant health physics personnel for evaluation.
"Contamination was detected on the exposed area of the employee's skin during [Health Physics] surveys. Direct survey results for the bottom of the right foot were 1700 dpm/100 cm2 [disintegrations per minute per 100 square centimeters] alpha. Surveys for direct contamination were also performed at the hospital before and after cleaning the exposed area and the contamination level remained the same at 1700 dpm/100 cm2 alpha. All smear results of the exposed area were below clean area limits (less than 200 dpm/100 cm2). Contamination surveys were performed on the ambulance and at the hospital and all results were below clean area limits indicating no spread of contamination during care for the employee. All potentially contaminated materials associated with the issue were collected and returned to [Commercial Fuel Fabrication Facility] (CFFF) for disposal. The operator was provided with over the counter medication and released to go home.
"A leaking valve was identified as the source of the nitric acid, which was promptly isolated and left in a safe state. There was no release to the environment and the liquid accumulation of nitric acid on the floor has been removed and the floor cleaned.
"The Columbia plant is a licensed Part 70 facility subject to 10CFR70 Subpart H, and this event does not challenge the performance requirements of 10 CFR 70.61 as analyzed in the Integrated Safety Analysis."
The isotope involved was U-235. The hospital that performed medical treatment was Prisma Health.
"On September 15, 2020, at approximately 0900 EDT, a Westinghouse employee performing routine work in the Conversion Decontamination Area was exposed to nitric acid on the bottom of the right foot due to an issue with his protective footwear. The nitric acid came in contact with the employee's footwear impacting the bottom of the right foot. Appropriate treatment for exposure to nitric acid was provided by onsite medical response staff, and per procedure the employee's foot was wrapped in plastic, and the employee was transported to an offsite medical facility accompanied by plant health physics personnel for evaluation.
"Contamination was detected on the exposed area of the employee's skin during [Health Physics] surveys. Direct survey results for the bottom of the right foot were 1700 dpm/100 cm2 [disintegrations per minute per 100 square centimeters] alpha. Surveys for direct contamination were also performed at the hospital before and after cleaning the exposed area and the contamination level remained the same at 1700 dpm/100 cm2 alpha. All smear results of the exposed area were below clean area limits (less than 200 dpm/100 cm2). Contamination surveys were performed on the ambulance and at the hospital and all results were below clean area limits indicating no spread of contamination during care for the employee. All potentially contaminated materials associated with the issue were collected and returned to [Commercial Fuel Fabrication Facility] (CFFF) for disposal. The operator was provided with over the counter medication and released to go home.
"A leaking valve was identified as the source of the nitric acid, which was promptly isolated and left in a safe state. There was no release to the environment and the liquid accumulation of nitric acid on the floor has been removed and the floor cleaned.
"The Columbia plant is a licensed Part 70 facility subject to 10CFR70 Subpart H, and this event does not challenge the performance requirements of 10 CFR 70.61 as analyzed in the Integrated Safety Analysis."
The isotope involved was U-235. The hospital that performed medical treatment was Prisma Health.