Event Notification Report for March 25, 2003
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Operations Center Event Reports For 03/24/2003 - 03/25/2003 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** 39684 39691 39692 39693 39694 39695 39696 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |General Information or Other |Event Number: 39684 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | REP ORG: ILLINOIS DEPT OF NUCLEAR SAFETY |NOTIFICATION DATE: 03/20/2003| |LICENSEE: CONAM INSPECTION INC |NOTIFICATION TIME: 17:37[EST]| | CITY: GLENDALE HEIGHTS REGION: 3 |EVENT DATE: 03/20/2003| | COUNTY: STATE: IL |EVENT TIME: 16:37[CST]| |LICENSE#: IL-01225-22 AGREEMENT: Y |LAST UPDATE DATE: 03/20/2003| | DOCKET: |+----------------------------+ | |PERSON ORGANIZATION | | |JAMES CREED R3 | | |LARRY CAMPER NMSS | +------------------------------------------------+BRUCE MALLETT R2 | | NRC NOTIFIED BY: JOE KLINGER |GARY SHEAR R3 | | HQ OPS OFFICER: ARLON COSTA |JOHN DAVIDSON TAS | +------------------------------------------------+DOE, EPA, USDA (FAX) | |EMERGENCY CLASS: NON EMERGENCY | | |10 CFR SECTION: | | |NAGR AGREEMENT STATE | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | MISSING RADIOGRAPHY CAMERA CONTAINING AN IRIDIUM-192 RADIOACTIVE SOURCE | | | | "A Department inspector in the W. Chicago Regional Office, took a call ago | | from the RSO of Conam Inspection Inc. (lL-01225-22) in Glendale Heights, | | IL. The RSO reported that a radiography camera [Model 660-B, S/N B2872] | | containing 86 Ci [Curies] of Ir-192 [Iridium-192], as of March 20, 2003, | | destined for the Sequoyah Power Plant in Soddy Daisy, Tennessee had failed | | to arrive as of the expected delivery date 3/17/2003. He further stated | | that the carrier has been contacted daily since 3/18/03 for information as | | to the package's whereabouts with no success. As of 1515 hrs. on 3/20/03, | | the carrier indicated to him that the package may have been misrouted and | | can only confirm the package leaving a sorting facility in Lisle, Illinois | | with potential stops in South Bend, Indiana and the carrier's hazmat center | | in Wilmington, Ohio. The RSO was advised that a thorough search was being | | conducted by the carrier's personnel. | | | | "The RSO is sensitive to the current security issues and wanted to ensure | | the situation was promptly reported and to indicate some extent of | | frustration with the carrier although he hoped that the carrier would indeed | | locate the package. The package is in a black AEA Technology [Model 424-9, | | Sealed Source] overpack box marked with S/N 853 and labeled as a 'Yellow | | II.' The RSO provided a copy of the shipping paper that included the | | specific information concerning the radiography camera, the package | | tracking number, and a contact number at the carrier. The department used | | this information and made direct contact with the carrier. Carrier | | confirmed the above information and is continuing their search. In fact, | | the carrier reported this event to the NRC Operations Center as did NRC | | Region II." | | | | | | * * * UPDATE ON 3/21/03 AT 1544 EST VIA EMAIL FROM JOE KLINGER TO ARLON | | COSTA * * * | | | | "A Department inspector in the W. Chicago Regional Office, took a call ago | | from the RSO of Conam Inspection Inc. (IL-01225-22) in Glendale Heights, | | IL. The RSO reported that a radiography camera containing 86 Ci of Ir-192, | | as of March 20, 2003, destined for the Sequoya Power Plant in Soddy Daisy, | | Tennessee, had failed to arrive as of the expected delivery date 3/17/2003. | | He further stated that the carrier has been contacted daily since 3/18/03 | | for information as to the package's whereabouts with no success. As of | | 1515 hrs. on 3/20/03, the carrier indicated to him that the package may | | have been misrouted and can only confirm the package leaving a sorting | | facility in Lisle, Illinois with potential stops in South Bend, Indiana and | | the carrier's hazmat center in Wilmington, Ohio. The RSO was advised that | | a thorough search was being conducted by the carrier's personnel. | | | | "The RSO is sensitive to the current security issues and wanted to ensure | | the situation was promptly reported and to indicate some extent of | | frustration with the carrier although he hoped that the carrier would indeed | | locate the package. The package is in a black AEA Technology overpack box | | marked with S/N 853 and labeled as a 'Yellow II'. The RSO has been asked for | | a copy of the shipping paper that includes the specific information of the | | radiography camera, the package tracking number, and a contact number at the | | carrier so that the Department may make direct inquiries with the company. | | | | "On 21 March departmental inspectors proceeded to the Lisle, Illinois | | Airborne Express distribution facility to survey the area to try and locate | | the device. At approximately 0930 on 21 March [DELETED], Conam, notified | | the department that the camera was located by Airborne Express at one of | | their facilities in Springdale, South Carolina. The camera will be | | transported to its original destination at Soddy Daisy, TN. Upon learning | | this information, the departmental inspectors immediately terminated their | | survey of the Lisle Airborne Express facility. The problem appeared to be a | | failure to follow the appropriate procedure by Airborne Express for their | | hazmat packages. The Airborne Express procedures are adequate and are | | routinely used effectively but for this package they made an error that | | resulted in the hazmat package being sent to their standard package | | processing facility in Atlanta and subsequently inadvertently sent to | | Springdale, SC. Airborne Express is reviewing possible actions to prevent | | recurrence. NRC was notified by phone and email that the camera had been | | located. The event was assigned event number 39684." | | | | Notified NMSS EO (Camper), R3DO (Creed), R2DO (Julian) and via fax DOE, EPA, | | USDA, HHS, FEMA and DHS. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Fuel Cycle Facility |Event Number: 39691 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | FACILITY: PADUCAH GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANT |NOTIFICATION DATE: 03/24/2003| | RXTYPE: URANIUM ENRICHMENT FACILITY |NOTIFICATION TIME: 09:53[EST]| | COMMENTS: 2 DEMOCRACY CENTER |EVENT DATE: 03/23/2003| | 6903 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE |EVENT TIME: 10:44[CST]| | BETHESDA, MD 20817 (301)564-3200 |LAST UPDATE DATE: 03/24/2003| | CITY: PADUCAH REGION: 3 +-----------------------------+ | COUNTY: McCRACKEN STATE: KY |PERSON ORGANIZATION | |LICENSE#: GDP-1 AGREEMENT: Y |MICHAEL PARKER R3 | | DOCKET: 0707001 |DON COOL NMSS | +------------------------------------------------+ | | NRC NOTIFIED BY: SKAGGS | | | HQ OPS OFFICER: CHAUNCEY GOULD | | +------------------------------------------------+ | |EMERGENCY CLASS: NON EMERGENCY | | |10 CFR SECTION: | | |OSAF 76.120(c)(2) SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILUR| | | | | | | | | | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | POWER SUPPLY FAILURE RESULTED IN THE UF6 RELEASE DETECTION SYSTEM BEING | | INOPERABLE | | | | At 1044 CST, on 3-23-03 the Plant shift Superintendent (PSS) was notified | | that the control power for C-337A Autoclaves 1 East and 1 West was | | interrupted due to a fuse smoking in the distribution panel. The power | | supply for the local autoclave area audible and visual alarms for the UPS | | Release Detection System are fed from the #1 Autoclave control power. Due | | to the loss of control power to the #1 Autoclaves, the UF6 Release Detection | | System was rendered inoperable. At the time of this incident, the C-337A | | facility was in an operational mode in which the UPS Release Detection | | System was required to be operable. The system was declared inoperable and | | Limiting Conditions for Operation (LCO) required actions were put in place | | until power could be restored. Power was restored and the UF6 Release | | Detection System was declared operable at 1206 on 3-23-03. | | | | The event is reportable as a 24 hour event, as required by 10 CFR | | 76.120(c)(2)(1): "An event in which equipment is disabled or fails to | | function as designed when the equipment is required by TSR to prevent | | releases, prevent exposures to radiation and radioactive materials exceeding | | specified limits, mitigate the consequences of an accident, or restore this | | facility to a preestablished safe condition after an accident." The | | equipment was required by TSR to be available and operable and no redundant | | equipment was available to perform the required safety function. | | | | The NRC Senior Resident Inspector has been notified of this event. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Other Nuclear Material |Event Number: 39692 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | REP ORG: FRAMATOME ANP |NOTIFICATION DATE: 03/24/2003| |LICENSEE: |NOTIFICATION TIME: 09:55[EST]| | CITY: LYNCHBURG REGION: 2 |EVENT DATE: 03/24/2003| | COUNTY: STATE: VA |EVENT TIME: 07:30[EST]| |LICENSE#: SNM-1168 AGREEMENT: N |LAST UPDATE DATE: 03/24/2003| | DOCKET: |+----------------------------+ | |PERSON ORGANIZATION | | |CAUDLE JULIAN R2 | | |DON COOL NMSS | +------------------------------------------------+ | | NRC NOTIFIED BY: BILL SHARKEY | | | HQ OPS OFFICER: ERIC THOMAS | | +------------------------------------------------+ | |EMERGENCY CLASS: NON EMERGENCY | | |10 CFR SECTION: | | |BEXT 20.1906(d)(2) EXTERNAL RAD LEVELS > L| | | | | | | | | | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | RAD SHIPMENT EXTERNAL LEVELS > LIMITS | | | | While receiving a rad shipment of CRDMs (control rod drive mechanisms) from | | Arkansas Nuclear One, the receipt survey of the bottom of the package was | | 380 mrem/hr (millirem/hour) on contact. The remaining five sides of the | | package each measured less than 200 mrem/hr on contact. Smear surveys of | | the package were within limits for surface contamination. 2 meter surveys | | along the outer surface of the vehicle all indicated less than 5 mrem/hr. | | Surveys behind the cab of the truck were 1 mrem/hr. | | | | The package was placed in a secure, isolated location at the facility. | | | | The licensee has contacted Arkansas Nuclear and TAG Transport, Inc, to | | discuss how to proceed with this issue. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Hospital |Event Number: 39693 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | REP ORG: MONCRIF ARMY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL |NOTIFICATION DATE: 03/24/2003| |LICENSEE: MONCRIF ARMY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL |NOTIFICATION TIME: 15:30[EST]| | CITY: FT JACKSON REGION: 2 |EVENT DATE: 03/24/2003| | COUNTY: STATE: SC |EVENT TIME: 11:20[EST]| |LICENSE#: 39-14873-01 AGREEMENT: Y |LAST UPDATE DATE: 03/24/2003| | DOCKET: |+----------------------------+ | |PERSON ORGANIZATION | | |CAUDLE JULIAN R2 | | |DOUG BROADDUS NMSS | +------------------------------------------------+ | | NRC NOTIFIED BY: HARRY STEWART | | | HQ OPS OFFICER: ARLON COSTA | | +------------------------------------------------+ | |EMERGENCY CLASS: NON EMERGENCY | | |10 CFR SECTION: | | |ICON 30.50(b)(1) UNPLANNED CONTAMINATION| | | | | | | | | | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | EXTERIOR SURVEY OF PACKAGE CONTAINING TECHNETIUM 99M RESULTED IN A COUNT | | LEVEL OF 21000 DPM | | | | A package containing technetium - 99m delivered by Syncore (Cardinal Health) | | of Columbia SC, to Moncrif Army Community Hospital was found to have surface | | contamination levels of 21,000 dpm on its exterior. The package was opened | | and it was verified that the metal container was not internally | | contaminated. The ammo box was placed in a store room to decay. The five | | (5) capsules containing technetium - 99m were used by the Hospital. The RSO | | called the vendor and informed them of the surface contamination found on | | the outside of the package. The RSO will survey the path traveled through | | the Hospital by the vendor carrying the package to ensure the absence of | | loose contamination. The RSO will contact the vendor to verify if they had | | contamination issues with other shipments. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Power Reactor |Event Number: 39694 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | FACILITY: SUSQUEHANNA REGION: 1 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 03/24/2003| | UNIT: [1] [2] [] STATE: PA |NOTIFICATION TIME: 15:55[EST]| | RXTYPE: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4 |EVENT DATE: 03/24/2003| +------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 14:55[EST]| | NRC NOTIFIED BY: GRANT FERNSLER |LAST UPDATE DATE: 03/24/2003| | HQ OPS OFFICER: ARLON COSTA +-----------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION | |EMERGENCY CLASS: NON EMERGENCY |PAMELA HENDERSON R1 | |10 CFR SECTION: |STUART RICHARDS NRR | |APRE 50.72(b)(2)(xi) OFFSITE NOTIFICATION | | | | | | | | | | | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |1 N Y 100 Power Operation |100 Power Operation | |2 N N 0 Refueling |0 Refueling | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | OFFSITE NOTIFICATION DUE TO BRUSH FIRE ON COMPANY PROPERTY | | | | "On 3/24/03 at 1455 [EST] the Main Control Room was notified of a brush fire | | on company property, outside the protected area. County Emergency | | communications were notified to dispatch a local fire company to extinguish | | the fire. The fire was not endangering the protected area surrounding the | | plant and therefore the onsite fire brigade was not activated. No other | | equipment or company structures were threatened. It was reported that the | | fire was extinguished at 1526 hours. | | | | "According to station guidelines, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management | | Agency (PEMA) was notified of the incident at 1512 hours. Due to | | notification to a government agency and possible public interest, this event | | was determined to be reportable under 10CFR50.72(b)(2)(xi)." | | | | The Licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Power Reactor |Event Number: 39695 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | FACILITY: SUSQUEHANNA REGION: 1 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 03/24/2003| | UNIT: [1] [2] [] STATE: PA |NOTIFICATION TIME: 17:26[EST]| | RXTYPE: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4 |EVENT DATE: 03/24/2003| +------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 16:52[EST]| | NRC NOTIFIED BY: JEFFREY MILLER |LAST UPDATE DATE: 03/24/2003| | HQ OPS OFFICER: ARLON COSTA +-----------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION | |EMERGENCY CLASS: UNUSUAL EVENT |PAMELA HENDERSON R1 | |10 CFR SECTION: |STUART RICHARDS NRR | |AAEC 50.72(a) (1) (i) EMERGENCY DECLARED |NADER MAMISH IRO | |APRE 50.72(b)(2)(xi) OFFSITE NOTIFICATION |DAVID BARDEN FEMA | | | | | | | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |1 N Y 100 Power Operation |100 Power Operation | |2 N N 0 Refueling |0 Refueling | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | UNUSUAL EVENT DUE TO CONTAMINATED INDIVIDUAL BEING TRANSPORTED OFFSITE | | | | "At 4:52 PM EST PPL Susquehanna, LLC, declared an Unusual Event for a | | contaminated individual transported offsite. The EAL entered was 5.1. The | | individual had fallen while working in the Unit 2 Drywell of the Primary | | Containment. Unit 2 is presently in a refuel outage. First Aid personnel | | were dispatched and treated her injuries. The individual's injuries | | prevented the removal of all of the protective clothing. Based on the | | inability to remove the clothing and completely frisk the individual, the | | individual is being considered contaminated. At 16:57 a local ambulance | | transported the person offsite en route to a local hospital. | | | | "This Emergency Plan entry is reportable under 10CFR50.72(a)1. | | | | "According to station guidelines, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management | | Agency (PEMA) was also notified of the incident. Due to notification to a | | government agency and possible public interest, this event is also | | [reportable under ] 10CFR50.72(b)(2)(xi)." | | | | The Licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector, local authorities, the | | state and will issue a press release of this incident. | | | | *** UPDATE ON 3/24/03 AT 1948 EST FROM JERRY RINEHART TO ARLON COSTA *** | | | | "At 19:15 EST the Unusual Event was terminated. The individual's PCs | | [protective clothing] were contaminated to 600 ccpm [corrected counts per | | minute]. The PCs were removed at the hospital and no other contamination was | | found. The ambulance and the treatment room at the hospital were also | | frisked and no contamination was found. The contaminated PCs will be | | secured by the hospital's Radiation Protection staff and returned to the | | site tomorrow. | | | | "The individual suffered a broken wrist [and was treated for other minor | | injuries]." | | | | "All state and local agencies have been advised. A press release will be | | made." | | | | The Licensee notified the UE termination to the NRC Resident Inspector. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Fuel Cycle Facility |Event Number: 39696 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | FACILITY: PADUCAH GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANT |NOTIFICATION DATE: 03/25/2003| | RXTYPE: URANIUM ENRICHMENT FACILITY |NOTIFICATION TIME: 01:15[EST]| | COMMENTS: 2 DEMOCRACY CENTER |EVENT DATE: 03/24/2003| | 6903 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE |EVENT TIME: 00:30[CST]| | BETHESDA, MD 20817 (301)564-3200 |LAST UPDATE DATE: 03/25/2003| | CITY: PADUCAH REGION: 3 +-----------------------------+ | COUNTY: McCRACKEN STATE: KY |PERSON ORGANIZATION | |LICENSE#: GDP-1 AGREEMENT: Y |MICHAEL PARKER R3 | | DOCKET: 0707001 |LARRY CAMPER NMSS | +------------------------------------------------+JOHN JOLICOEUR IRO | | NRC NOTIFIED BY: TOM WHITE | | | HQ OPS OFFICER: ERIC THOMAS | | +------------------------------------------------+ | |EMERGENCY CLASS: NON EMERGENCY | | |10 CFR SECTION: | | |NBNL RESPONSE-BULLETIN | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | BULLETIN 91-01 24 HOUR REPORT FOR CRITICALITY CONTROL | | | | At 0030 on 3-24-03, the Plant Shift Superintendent (PSS) was notified that | | nine (9) pallets of process equipment containing less than a safe uranium | | mass and spaced 2 feet edge to edge were discovered in C-335. NCSA GEN-010 | | requires that the total uranium mass of an equipment group be independently | | verified and documented to be less than or equal to a safe mass based on the | | highest assay according to CP2-PO-FO1031. No documentation exists to support | | that the total uranium mass was verified or independently verified according | | to CP2-PO-FO1031 in violation of NCSA GEN-010. | | | | The NRC Senior Resident Inspector has been notified of this event. | | | | PGDP Assessment and Tracking Report No. ATR 03-0876; PGDP Event Report No. | | PAD-2003-006, NRC Event Worksheet [EN 39696]. | | | | Responsible Division: Operations | | | | SAFETY SIGNIFICANCE OF EVENTS: | | | | Although the total mass of the grouped items was not independently verified | | to be less than a safe mass, no single pallet contains greater than 35 | | pounds of uranium. The highest enrichment of any item was 2.0 wt. % 235U. | | The safe mass for uranium at 2.0 wt. % 235U is approximately 250 pounds. | | | | POTENTIAL CRITICALITY PATHWAYS INVOLVED (BRIEF SCENARIO(S) OF HOW | | CRITICALITY COULD OCCUR | | | | In order for a criticality to be possible, greater than a safe mass of | | uranium must be accumulated and then become moderated. | | | | CONTROLLED PARAMETERS MASS. MODERATION, GEOMETRY, CONCENTRATION, ETC | | | | Double contingency is maintained by implementation of two controls | | (verification and independent verification) of mass. | | | | ESTIMATED AMOUNT, ENRICHMENT, FORM OF LICENSED MATERIAL (INCLUDE PROCESS | | LIMIT AND % WORST CASE CRITICAL MASS); | | | | No single pallet has greater than 35 pounds of uranium and the highest assay | | of any Item is 2.0 wt. % 235U. The safe mass for this assay is 250 pounds. | | | | NUCLEAR CRITICALITY SAFETY CONTROL(S) OR CONTROL SYSTEM(S) AND DESCRIPTION | | OF THE FAILURES OR DEFICIENCIES | | | | The first leg of double contingency is based on mass. NCSA GEN-010 requires | | that the total uranium mass of grouped items be verified less than the UH | | [Uncomplicated Handling] mass limit and documented. No documentation exists | | that substantiates that this verification was performed; therefore, this | | control was violated. However, since none of the groups contain greater than | | a safe mass this parameter was not exceeded. | | | | The second leg of double contingency is based on mass. NCSA GEN-010 requires | | that the total uranium mass of grouped items be independently verified less | | than the UH mass limit and documented in accordance with CP2-PO-FO1031. No | | documentation exists that substantiates that this independent verification | | was performed; therefore, this control was violated. | | | | Even though the mass parameter was maintained, double contingency is based | | on two controls on mass. Since neither control was maintained, double | | contingency was not maintained. | | | | CORRECTIVE ACTIONS TO RESTORE SAFETY SYSTEMS AND WHEN EACH WAS IMPLEMENTED: | | | | 1. Properly group and document each pallet according to CP2-CO-CN2030. | | 2. Upon completion of corrective action 1 for each of the 9 pallets, the | | exclusion zone and postings may be removed. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, March 24, 2021