Event Notification Report for August 24, 1999

LOSS OF A SMALL DISC CONTAINING 0.023 µCi OF PLUTONIUM - 238 AND 239

After completing an inventory at 1700 MDT on 08/24/99, the licensee discovered the loss of a disc containing 0.023 µCi of plutonium-238 and 239 in a one-to-one ratio (electroplated on hastelloy-B planchet). The missing disc was one of twelve that was used for physics classroom demonstrations. It was about the size of a quarter, and it was stored inside a plastic case about the size of a ¼-inch thick credit card.

The loss of the disc was discovered during the first inventory conducted by a new radiation safety officer, and it is not known when the last accurate inventory was conducted. The licensee searched for the missing disc and talked with appropriate individuals. At this time, the licensee believes that the disc was lost and not stolen.

The licensee plans to generate a written 30-day report.

(Call the NRC operations officer for a site contact telephone number.)

OFF SITE NOTIFICATION DUE TO FIRE OUTSIDE OF THE PROTECTED AREA.

A FIRE WAS REPORTED AT THE COMPRESSOR OIL SEPARATOR IN THE SWITCHYARD OUTSIDE THE PROTECTED AREA. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WITHIN 10 MINS WITH ASSISTANCE FROM OFF SITE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE CONSISTED MOSTLY OF SMOKE AND SOME FLAMES, BUT THERE WAS NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO THE COMPRESSOR OR SWITCHYARD. THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND THE COUNTY WERE NOTIFIED.

THE RESIDENT INSPECTOR WILL BE NOTIFIED.

UNAVAILABILITY OF NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS FOR PAGER ACTIVATION

On 8/24/99 the station was conducting an Emergency Plan Drill. During the activities one of the participants learned that the telenotification system (including its backup) which is used to page individuals in the event of an actual emergency had failed. In accordance with 10CFR50.72(b)(1)(v) this constitutes a Loss of Emergency Response Capability .

The telenotification system is now operable. The licensee determined that a power source was disconnected.

The NRC resident inspector has been notified.

FITNESS FOR DUTY REPORT

A contractor was determined to be under the influence of alcohol and it was confirmed by positive test results. The contractor's access authorization to the plant has been terminated. Refer to the HOO log for additional details.

The licensee informed the NRC Resident Inspector and the Department of Environmental Protection for Connecticut .

OFFSITE NOTIFICATION OF THE CAPTURE AND SUBSEQUENT RELEASE OF A GREEN SEA TURTLE

The licensee notified the National Marine Fisheries Service of the capture and subsequent planned release of a green sea turtle, which is protected under the Endangered Species Act.

The licensee plans to notify the NRC Resident Inspector.

ENGINEERED SAFETY FEATURES ACTUATION DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAULT

"At 1438 Hrs, August 24, 1999, the Unit 2 Standby Transformer locked out due to an electrical fault on one of the lightning arrestors installed on the transformer. Due to the loss of power to the Unit 2 Standby Transformer, the Train C Standby Diesel Generator started and loaded all Mode II (LOOP) Engineered Safety Features equipment as required. The Train 'B' Standby Diesel Generator was in service for monthly surveillance testing at the time of the event, so the Train 'B' Engineered Safety Features equipment never lost power.

"The electrical voltage perturbation also resulted in a Reactor Coolant System letdown isolation. Letdown has subsequently been returned to service for Reactor Coolant System inventory control. Also, two radiation monitors used to monitor plant radiological effluents were affected by the voltage perturbation. The Condenser Air Removal System Radiation Monitor RT-8027 momentarily lost communications with the Radiation Monitoring System Computer. The condition has cleared and the monitor has been returned to service. The Unit Vent Radiation Monitor RT-8010A lost communication with the Radiation Monitoring System Computer during the perturbation as well. This monitor remains out of service (the Wide Range Unit Vent Accident Radiation Monitor RT-8010B remained in service through out the event).

"Unit 2 is currently stable at 100% power. Preparations are being made to reenergize the deenergized Unit 2 Standby Buses from the Unit 1 Standby Transformer.

"In addition to the start of the Train 'C' Standby Diesel Generator, the Train 'C' Centrifugal Charging Pump and the Train 'C' Auxiliary Feedwater Pump also started as required. The automatic actuation of these Engineered Safety Features components is reportable per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2))."

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

POSSIBLE OVEREXPOSURE TO EMPLOYEES' EXTREMITIES

Eastern Isotopes received their June 1999 exposure report from their vendor, Proxtronics (Burke, VA), which indicated one individual received 50 rem to the extremities as indicated by finger rings. The report also indicated that two other individuals received higher than expected doses to their extremities, 25 rem and 36 rem. Initial investigation indicated that the highest dosage occurred to an individual who had the least number of duties involving possible exposure. The individuals involved have been removed from duties involving further exposures while further investigations are carried out. The vendor has been contacted and suspects their standards and controls, which they are investigating. A preliminary report from the vendor is expected tomorrow.

Eastern Isotopes handles Technetium and F18 (FDG).