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Event Notification Report for December 10, 2001

                         
                    U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
                              Operations Center

                              Event Reports For
                           12/07/2001 - 12/10/2001

                              ** EVENT NUMBERS **

38547  38548  38549  38550  38551  
.
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|General Information or Other                     |Event Number:   38547       |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| REP ORG:  PHILLIP MORRIS USA                   |NOTIFICATION DATE: 12/07/2001|
|LICENSEE:  PHILLIP MORRIS USA                   |NOTIFICATION TIME: 14:26[EST]|
|    CITY:  RICHMOND                 REGION:  2  |EVENT DATE:        12/04/2001|
|  COUNTY:                            STATE:  VA |EVENT TIME:        09:10[EST]|
|LICENSE#:  45-00385-06           AGREEMENT:  N  |LAST UPDATE DATE:  12/07/2001|
|  DOCKET:                                       |+----------------------------+
|                                                |PERSON          ORGANIZATION |
|                                                |MARK LESSER          R2      |
|                                                |                             |
+------------------------------------------------+                             |
| NRC NOTIFIED BY:  J. TENHET (VIA FACSIMILE)    |                             |
|  HQ OPS OFFICER:  BOB STRANSKY                 |                             |
+------------------------------------------------+                             |
|EMERGENCY CLASS:          NON EMERGENCY         |                             |
|10 CFR SECTION:                                 |                             |
|NINF                     INFORMATION ONLY       |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

                                   EVENT TEXT                                   
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| INFORMATION REPORT                                                           |
|                                                                              |
| "Equipment::  Maid N Scanning Head (Beta Gauge)                              |
|                                                                              |
| "Equipment NRC Registration:   # NR-462-D-1 02-B                             |
|                                                                              |
| "Equipment Registered to:  Molins Richmond                                   |
| 3900 Carolina Avenue                                                         |
| P.O. Box 6159                                                                |
| Richmond, VA 23222-0159                                                      |
|                                                                              |
| "Radioactive Material:  strontium-90, 0.025 curies, sealed source            |
|                                                                              |
| "Nature of Failure: On Tuesday. December 4, 2001, an Authorized User was     |
| conducting routine leak-tests and shutter-checks. While conducting tests, he |
| noticed cigarette maker machine 2A4, which was shutdown for routine          |
| maintenance, had a shutter indicator denoting the shutter in the open        |
| position. In this machine state, this shutter should have been closed. He    |
| used a survey meter to verify the shutter was open. He immediately inserted  |
| a cigarette rod in the pass tube to simulate normal operating conditions and |
| radioed another Authorized User to bring another scanning head to the maker. |
| Together they dismounted the scanning head and removed the source at 09:20   |
| a.m. A beta shield was used during the source removal and the source was     |
| placed into a lead container. The other scanning head was placed on the      |
| maker and a survey was made. The source and malfunctioning scanning head     |
| were taken to the radiation shop and the source was placed into a locked     |
| storage sate.                                                                |
|                                                                              |
| "The Molins Maid N scanning head is a fixed gauge. During operation, it is   |
| bolted to a cigarette-making machine. The Maid N scanning head is used to    |
| measure the density of tobacco in a continuous, paper-wrapped. cylindrical   |
| rod that passes through this gauge en route to being sectioned into          |
| individual cigarette lengths in another part of the machine. The Maid N is   |
| shielded except for a 9-mm diameter  pass tube  through which the continuous |
| tobacco rod passes. The Strontium 90 source is situated at the rear of the   |
| gauge and the detector tube at the front. The direct beam of radiation is    |
| wholly contained within the gauge and is aligned perpendicular to the pass   |
| tube. During normal operation, the pass tube is filled by a cigarette rod.   |
| When the gauge is turned off, the pass tube is clear and the shutter is      |
| closed.                                                                      |
|                                                                              |
| "Date/Time of Event: Tuesday, December 4, 2001, 09:10 a.m..                  |
|                                                                              |
| "Date/Time Initially Reported to NRC: Tuesday, December 4, 2001 4:50 p.m..   |
|                                                                              |
| "Name or Individual Reporting:  Mr. Chuck L. Stiff, Safety Director          |
| Mr. Joe Tenhet, RSO                                                          |
|                                                                              |
| "Location:  Philip Morris USA                                                |
| Richmond Manufacturing Center                                                |
| 3601 Commerce Road                                                           |
| P.O. Box 26603                                                               |
| Richmond, VA 23261                                                           |
|                                                                              |
| "License # 45-00385-06                                                       |
|                                                                              |
| "Corrective Actions:  The scanning head was completely disassembled, checked |
| and repaired. The repair technician found no reason for the shutter to fail  |
| to close and was not able to reproduce the problem. A new shutter assembly   |
| was installed in the scanning head as a precaution."                         |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
.
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Power Reactor                                    |Event Number:   38548       |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FACILITY: BEAVER VALLEY            REGION:  1  |NOTIFICATION DATE: 12/07/2001|
|    UNIT:  [1] [] []                 STATE:  PA |NOTIFICATION TIME: 16:23[EST]|
|   RXTYPE: [1] W-3-LP,[2] W-3-LP                |EVENT DATE:        12/07/2001|
+------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME:        14:01[EST]|
| NRC NOTIFIED BY:  TOM COTTER                   |LAST UPDATE DATE:  12/07/2001|
|  HQ OPS OFFICER:  BOB STRANSKY                 +-----------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------+PERSON          ORGANIZATION |
|EMERGENCY CLASS:          NON EMERGENCY         |JOHN ROGGE           R1      |
|10 CFR SECTION:                                 |                             |
|ARPS 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B)  RPS ACTUATION - CRITICA|                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR|   INIT RX MODE  |CURR PWR|  CURR RX MODE  
|
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|1     M/R        Y       100      Power Operation  |0        Hot Standby      |
|                                                   |                          |
|                                                   |                          |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
                                   EVENT TEXT                                   
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| MANUAL REACTOR TRIP DUE TO LOSS OF STATION AIR COMPRESSOR                    |
|                                                                              |
| "During steady state power operation, Beaver Valley Unit 1 experienced a     |
| loss of station air compressor SA-C-IA. The opposing compressor SA-C-1B was  |
| out of service for maintenance. The operating crew entered the Loss of       |
| Station Air Abnormal Operating Procedure (AOP) and started the backup diesel |
| driven air compressor. The reactor was manually tripped in accordance with   |
| the AOP due to decreasing station instrument air pressure. The crew entered  |
| the Emergency Operating Procedures and stabilized the plant in Mode 3.       |
| Station air was restored using the diesel driven backup air compressor. The  |
| plant responded normally.                                                    |
|                                                                              |
| "The plant is currently stable in Mode 3. Steam Generator feed is via the    |
| Main Feed Water System. The auxiliary feed water system was in service and   |
| has been secured. Cooling is via the condenser steam dump system.            |
|                                                                              |
| "Station Air Compressor SA-C-1A was found to have a blown control circuit    |
| fuse. The fuse was replaced and the compressor returned to service.          |
|                                                                              |
| "There were no radiological releases in progress as a result of this         |
| event."                                                                      |
|                                                                              |
| The NRC resident inspector has been informed of this event by the licensee.  |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
.
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|General Information or Other                     |Event Number:   38549       |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| REP ORG:  CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM    |NOTIFICATION DATE:
12/07/2001|
|LICENSEE:  MEDI-PHYSICS (D.B.A. AMERSHAM HEALTH)|NOTIFICATION TIME:
18:21[EST]|
|    CITY:  CULVER CITY              REGION:  4  |EVENT DATE:        12/07/2001|
|  COUNTY:                            STATE:  CA |EVENT TIME:             [PST]|
|LICENSE#:  CA 5143-19            AGREEMENT:  Y  |LAST UPDATE DATE:  12/07/2001|
|  DOCKET:                                       |+----------------------------+
|                                                |PERSON          ORGANIZATION |
|                                                |ANTHONY GODY         R4      |
|                                                |PATRICK HILAND       R3      |
+------------------------------------------------+C.W. (BILL) REAMER   NMSS    |
| NRC NOTIFIED BY:  KATHLEEN KAUFMAN             |                             |
|  HQ OPS OFFICER:  BOB STRANSKY                 |                             |
+------------------------------------------------+                             |
|EMERGENCY CLASS:          NON EMERGENCY         |                             |
|10 CFR SECTION:                                 |                             |
|NAGR                     AGREEMENT STATE        |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

                                   EVENT TEXT                                   
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| AGREEMENT STATE REPORT                                                       |
|                                                                              |
| L.A. County Radiation Management reported that a package containing a Mo-99  |
| generator had excessive external dose readings when received by a CA State   |
| Licensee.  When the package was surveyed before shipping, it was measured to |
| have a surface dose reading of 100 mR/hr (transport index of 2); however, it |
| was reading 400-450 mR/hr (T.I. 16) upon arrival at the Medi-Physics         |
| facility. No surface contamination was detected. The package had been        |
| shipped from Amersham in Chicago, IL via FedEx. The licensee is still trying |
| to determine the cause of the elevated dose rate from the package. Amersham  |
| has proposed that approximately 800 microcuries may have migrated into an    |
| unshielded part of the Mo-99 generator.                                      |
|                                                                              |
| The States of California and Illinois, as well as FedEx, have been contacted |
| regarding this event.                                                        |
|                                                                              |
| CA NMED # XCA102                                                             |
|                                                                              |
| HOO note: This report was made on behalf of the CA Radiation Control Program |
| by  L.A. County Radiation Management.                                        |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
.
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Power Reactor                                    |Event Number:   38550       |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FACILITY: CATAWBA                  REGION:  2  |NOTIFICATION DATE: 12/08/2001|
|    UNIT:  [] [2] []                 STATE:  SC |NOTIFICATION TIME: 01:52[EST]|
|   RXTYPE: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP                |EVENT DATE:        12/07/2001|
+------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME:        23:50[EST]|
| NRC NOTIFIED BY:  DON BRADLEY                  |LAST UPDATE DATE:  12/08/2001|
|  HQ OPS OFFICER:  STEVE SANDIN                 +-----------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------+PERSON          ORGANIZATION |
|EMERGENCY CLASS:          NON EMERGENCY         |MARK LESSER          R2      |
|10 CFR SECTION:                                 |                             |
|ARPS 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B)  RPS ACTUATION - CRITICA|                             |
|AESF 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A)  VALID SPECIF SYS ACTUAT|                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR|   INIT RX MODE  |CURR PWR|  CURR RX MODE  
|
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|                                                   |                          |
|2     A/R        Y       100      Power Operation  |0        Hot Standby      |
|                                                   |                          |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
                                   EVENT TEXT                                   
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| UNIT 2 EXPERIENCED AN AUTOMATIC REACTOR TRIP DUE TO LOW REACTOR
COOLANT      |
| SYSTEM FLOW                                                                  |
|                                                                              |
| "Relay actuation on 6.9KV Breaker 2TD-3 caused a loss of Reactor Coolant     |
| Pump 2D resulting in a reactor trip and emergency feedwater auto start.      |
| 2TD-4 Breaker also tripped resulting in a loss of normal power to essential  |
| bus 2ETB.  2B Emergency Diesel Generator auto started and loaded as          |
| appropriate.  The unit is currently stable in mode 3.  Efforts to establish  |
| normal feedwater and power are in progress."                                 |
|                                                                              |
| All systems functioned as required.  Unit 2 is currently supplying emergency |
| feedwater to the steam generator using both motor-driven Emergency Feedwater |
| Pumps and discharging steam to the main condenser for decay heat removal.    |
|                                                                              |
| The licensee will inform both the states of NC and SC as well as local       |
| authorities and has informed the NRC resident inspector.                     |
|                                                                              |
| * * * UPDATE 0420EST ON 12/8/01 FROM DON BRADLEY TO S. SANDIN * * *          |
|                                                                              |
| The licensee has reestablished normal feedwater supply and secured the       |
| operating emergency feedwater pumps.  Also, 2B Emergency Diesel Generator    |
| has been returned to standby after essential bus 2ETB was realigned to the   |
| preferred alternate power source.  Notified R2DO(Lesser).                    |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
.
!!!!!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED  !!!!!!!
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Power Reactor                                    |Event Number:   38551       |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FACILITY: MONTICELLO               REGION:  3  |NOTIFICATION DATE: 12/09/2001|
|    UNIT:  [1] [] []                 STATE:  MN |NOTIFICATION TIME: 17:44[EST]|
|   RXTYPE: [1] GE-3                             |EVENT DATE:        12/09/2001|
+------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME:        15:40[CST]|
| NRC NOTIFIED BY:  RANDY SAND                   |LAST UPDATE DATE:  12/09/2001|
|  HQ OPS OFFICER:  BOB STRANSKY                 +-----------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------+PERSON          ORGANIZATION |
|EMERGENCY CLASS:          NON EMERGENCY         |PATRICK HILAND       R3      |
|10 CFR SECTION:                                 |                             |
|AMED 50.72(b)(3)(xii)    OFFSITE MEDICAL        |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR|   INIT RX MODE  |CURR PWR|  CURR RX MODE  
|
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|1     N          N       0        Cold Shutdown    |0        Cold Shutdown    |
|                                                   |                          |
|                                                   |                          |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
                                   EVENT TEXT                                   
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| OFFSITE MEDICAL TRANSPORT                                                    |
|                                                                              |
| An individual working in a contaminated area fell approximately five feet    |
| from some scaffolding and sustained an apparent hip injury. The victim was   |
| transported by ambulance to the Monticello-Big Lake Hospital.                |
|                                                                              |
| The NRC resident inspector has been informed of this event by the licensee.  |
|                                                                              |
| * * * RETRACTION 2215 12/9/2001 FROM McKAY TAKEN BY STRANSKY * * *           |
|                                                                              |
| "On 12/9/01, event number 38551 was called in as an offsite medical, 10 CFR  |
| 50.72, 8 hour notification. A worker in a contaminated area fell             |
| approximately 5 ft and was transported via ambulance to the Monticello-Big   |
| Lake Hospital. The individual was transported as a contaminated person.      |
| Subsequently, it has been determined that the individual was NOT             |
| contaminated. The individual, ambulance and hospital were surveyed and found |
| to be free of contamination. Therefore, we wish to retract event number      |
| 38551."                                                                      |
|                                                                              |
| The NRC resident inspector has been informed of this retraction by the       |
| licensee.  Notified R3DO(Hiland).                                            |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
.

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