| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
09/16/2003 - 09/17/2003 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | General Information or Other | Event Number: 38415 | Rep Org: OHIO BUREAU OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: BOWSER-MORNER, INC
Region: 3
City: TOLEDO State: OH
County:
License #: OH-3121058000
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: SNEE
HQ OPS Officer: CHAUNCEY GOULD | Notification Date: 10/22/2001
Notification Time: 12:02 [ET]
Event Date: 10/22/2001
Event Time: [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/16/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
BRENT CLAYTON (R3)
SUSAN FRANT (NMSS)
| Event Text THE STATE REPORTED A STOLEN TROXLER MOISTURE/DENSITY GAUGE FROM ONE OF THEIR LICENSEES
Bowser-Morner, Inc (State of Ohio licensee) reported the theft of a Troxler moisture/density gauge (model 3430, serial 31270) containing a 1.44 GBq (38.9 mCi Am-Be sealed source and a 0.28 GBq (7.7 mCi) Cs-137 sealed source. The gauge was stolen from the back of a truck parked at an employee's residence in Toledo, Ohio. The gauge was stolen in the time period between the evening of 10/20/01 and the morning of 10/22/01. The handle of the gauge case had been pried off, leaving the handle and locked chain. The licensee notified the Toledo and Oregon, Ohio police departments.
* * * UPDATE ON 09/16/2003 AT 1110 EDT BY MIKE SNEE TO MACKINNON * * *
On 09/12/2003, the Troxler moisture density gauge was found in an abandoned building in Toledo, Ohio by the police. It has been returned to the licensee. The gauge was still inside the case and locked. The licensee will perform a leak test of the gauge then will start using it again. Mike Snee is with the Ohio Bureau of Radiation Protection. R3DO (Lanksbury) & NMSS EO (Doug Broaddus). |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 40149 | Rep Org: ARIZONA RADIATION REGULATORY AGENCY
Licensee: ATL INC.
Region: 4
City: MESA State: AZ
County:
License #: 07-116
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: WILLIAM WRIGHT
HQ OPS Officer: MIKE RIPLEY | Notification Date: 09/11/2003
Notification Time: 16:11 [ET]
Event Date: 09/11/2003
Event Time: 12:00 [MST]
Last Update Date: 09/11/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
LINDA HOWELL (R4)
FRED BROWN (NMSS)
VICTOR GONZALES (MEXI)
| Event Text STOLEN SOIL DENSITY MOISTURE GAUGE
The following information was provided via facsimile:
"On September 11, 2003, and prior to 6:00 AM, a soil density moisture gauge was stolen from the back of a pickup truck located at (Deleted), Mesa, AZ. The gauge is a Troxler Model 4640, Serial Number 2443 and was contained in a yellow shipping container. It was reported that the gauge was originally chained and locked in the rear of the pickup bed and the chain and lock were missing. This Agency was notified and the Mesa Police are investigating. The company is offering a $500.00 for information leading to the recovery and return of the gauge.
"The initial investigation indicates that several violations may have occurred.
"The Agency and licensee's will continue to investigate this occurrence and report further. The U.S. NRC, FBI, Mexico, and the states of Colorado, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and California are being informed of the incident." |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 40154 | Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: UNKNOWN
Region: 4
City: State: CA
County: CONTRA COSTA
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: MARK GOTTLIEB
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN | Notification Date: 09/12/2003
Notification Time: 12:39 [ET]
Event Date: 09/09/2003
Event Time: [PDT]
Last Update Date: 09/12/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
LINDA HOWELL (R4)
FRED BROWN (NMSS)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT INVOLVING A RECOVERED SOURCE
"At 4:30 pm on 9/9/03 the radiation alarm pegged at off scale at the Keller Canyon Land fill from a load of trash from the Contra Costa Transfer Station. The facility's Bicron probe indicated (off scale) on the drivers side of the truck. The passenger side probe was fluctuating above normal but not off scale. [DELETED], the Operations Manager informed RHB Berkeley of the radiation alarms and that Contra County Environmental Health had also been notified. Based upon this conversation it was determined that the truck will be secured in a restricted area and access will be restricted and warning tape and signs will be used. Arrangements were made to visit the facility on 9/10/03 to determine the cause of the radiation alarms.
"The facility was visited on 9/10/03 and after surveys it was determined the source of the radiation alarms was cesium 137. The maximum reading on side of the dump truck was 2.5 milliRem/hr and 0.7 mRem at one meter using an Eberline RO 20 Calibrated 4/03. A Bicron Fieldspec was also used and it was determined that radiation was from cesium 137 based upon the 662 kev gamma photon. The truck was moved to an isolated area and the driver using hydraulics pushed the load out as while surveys were conducted to indicate when the source of radiation had left the truck. Based upon the identification of cesium 137 a sealed source was suspected. After the surveys indicated the source of the radiation was on the ground, rakes and wood were used to move the trash to identify the location of the source. Following surveys and raking, a small one inch cylinder or rod was identified as the source of the radiation readings. The source resembled the end of a moisture density gauge source rod. Based upon surveys it was calculated that the source contained about 8-10 milliCuries of cesium 137. Using tools the rod was placed in a lead pig and transported to CPN for further investigation. The investigation will try to determine if the rod was cut or broken off the source rod and if the serial number on the source can be used to locate it's previous owner. Surveys of the load and truck using a Ludlum Survey meter with a pancake G-m model 44-9 probe indicated their was no contamination from the source. CPN will also perform a leak on the source.
"Troxler and Pacific Nuclear were also contacted to see if there were any unusual requests for a new source rod in the last six months. Both companies indicated they were not aware of any such requests. Further information will be provided following this investigation.
"The engraved source capsule serial number is CDCW 556, 9290. This information has been reported to Troxler, Rancho Cordova, who will report it to the RSO, Troxler, North Carolina, where source/gauge/customer files are kept." |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 40155 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: RABA-KISTNER CONSULTANTS, INC.
Region: 4
City: SAN ANTONIO State: TX
County:
License #: L01571-000
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JAMES H. OGDEN, JR.
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN | Notification Date: 09/12/2003
Notification Time: 16:44 [ET]
Event Date: 07/30/2003
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 09/12/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
LINDA HOWELL (R4)
PATRICIA HOLAHAN (NMSS)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT INVOLVING A STOLEN TROXLER GAUGE
A Troxler Model 3411, Serial No 10540, containing two sealed sources: 1.48 GBq/40mCi (+/- 10%), Am-241:139, Serial No. 46-1962 and 0.30 GBq/8 mCi (+1-10%), Cs-137, Serial No. 40-7974, was stolen from an employee's truck at his residence. The cable securing the case had been cut and the case pried open with the gauge, calibration (standard) block and gauge paperwork removed. A police report was submitted to the San Antonio Police Department.
Texas Incident No.: I-8051 |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 40161 | Facility: DAVIS BESSE
Region: 3 State: OH
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] B&W-R-LP
NRC Notified By: LEWIS
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN MacKINNON | Notification Date: 09/16/2003
Notification Time: 08:16 [ET]
Event Date: 09/16/2003
Event Time: 00:30 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/16/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) - VALID SPECIF SYS ACTUATION
| Person (Organization):
ROGER LANKSBURY (R3)
BOB DENNIG (NRR)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | N | 0 | Hot Shutdown | 0 | Hot Shutdown | Event Text REACTOR COOLANT SYSTEM PRESSURE INCREASE CAUSED A VALID SIGNAL
"At 1150 hours on 9/15/03 during Reactor Coolant System (RCS) pressure increase to approximately 700 psig, the Core Flood (CF) Tank 1 outlet motor-operated valve (CF1B) opened when the breaker for the valve was closed. Because RCS pressure was not high enough to actuate the pressure switch setpoint of 770 psig to open this valve, it was believed this was an invalid signal, and therefore the valve opening was not reportable under the criteria of 10 CFR50.72
"After further review, at 0030 hours on 9/16/03 it was determined the sensed pressure was within the setpoint range of the switch, making this a valid signal to open the valve. The CF Tank pressure at the time (approximately 600 psig) was less than the RCS pressure of approximately 700 psig, therefore no discharge into the RCS occurred, and this event is not reportable per 10 CFR50.72(b)(2)(iv).
"The CF System is a passive system, but is used in conjunction with other Emergency Core Cooling Systems to mitigate significant events. Therefore, this event involving the opening of the CF Tank discharge valve CF1B is being conservatively reported in accordance with 10 CFR50.72(b(3)(2)(iv)(A) as a valid actuation of a train of the Emergency Core Cooling System.
"Upon opening of this valve, CF Tank 1 level and pressure were observed lowering with a corresponding rise in the Reactor Coolant Drain Tank, most likely due to leakage past a check valve. CF1B was closed according to procedures and the source breaker for the valve opened."
The NRC Resident Inspector was notified by the licensee. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 40162 | Facility: SEABROOK
Region: 1 State: NH
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: DANA MERRILL
HQ OPS Officer: RICH LAURA | Notification Date: 09/16/2003
Notification Time: 12:35 [ET]
Event Date: 09/16/2003
Event Time: 09:18 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/16/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
HAROLD GRAY (R1)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text OFFSITE NOTIFICATION TO OSHA AT SEABROOK REGARDING A FATALITY
"A contract employee, apparently suffered a heart attack, while in processing for Refueling Outage 09. The employee was treated by the site EMTs and transported to the hospital. It was subsequently reported that the employee passed away. Notification that the employee expired was at 11:03 EST."
The licensee notified OSHA as required for a heart attack fatality.
The NRC Resident Inspector was notified. |
| Other Nuclear Material | Event Number: 40163 | Rep Org: U.S. ARMY TACOM
Licensee: U.S. ARMY
Region: 3
City: ROCK ISLAND State: IL
County:
License #: 12-00722-06
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: THOMAS GIZICKI
HQ OPS Officer: NATHAN SANFILIPPO | Notification Date: 09/16/2003
Notification Time: 16:14 [ET]
Event Date: 07/19/2003
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 09/16/2003 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
30.50(b)(1) - UNPLANNED CONTAMINATION
| Person (Organization):
ROGER LANKSBURY (R3)
C.W. (BILL) REAMER (NMSS)
| Event Text UNCONTROLLED RELEASE OF TRITIUM FROM M109 HOWITZER
U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) was notified by U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) on September 16, 2003 of an accident at Fort McCoy, WI on July 19, 2003. On July 19th, a M109 howitzer was being transported by a HumV when the HumV rolled over. Responders to the scene of the accident observed no physical damage to the M14 quadrant of the howitzer, which contains 2.2 Curies of tritium. Since no physical damage was observed, no wipe test was performed. On or near September 10, 2003, the howitzer was sent to a combined support maintenance shop (CSMS) for repair. At the CSMS site, a wipe test was performed on the quadrant (per procedure: prior to any repair on tritium fire control devices, a wipe test is performed). The quadrant was wipe tested on September 15, 2003 at a location inside the dial cavity and showed removable tritium contamination at 300,000 decades per minute. CECOM reported the incident to TACOM on September 16, 2003. Direction was given by TACOM to remove the device from the M109 howitzer, double bag it, and transfer to waste disposal. The area on the howitzer where the M14 quadrant was mounted is to be decontaminated and retested. Leak test results will be forthcoming from the CECOM lab to TACOM. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 40164 | Facility: BRUNSWICK
Region: 2 State: NC
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: WILLIAM WOODBURY
HQ OPS Officer: RICH LAURA | Notification Date: 09/16/2003
Notification Time: 23:17 [ET]
Event Date: 09/16/2003
Event Time: 22:40 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/16/2003 | Emergency Class: UNUSUAL EVENT
10 CFR Section:
50.72(a) (1) (i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED
| Person (Organization):
ANNE BOLAND (R2)
JOSE CALVO (NRR)
RICHARD WESSMAN (IRO)
GENE CANUPP (FEMA)
TOM SAREERAM (DHS)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 94 | Power Operation | 94 | Power Operation | | 2 | N | Y | 96 | Power Operation | 96 | Power Operation | Event Text UNUSUAL EVENT AT BRUNSWICK DUE TO HURRICANE WARNING
"Hurricane warning issued. There is no significant impact to the safety of the plant at this time. The plant area is not currently experiencing any unusual winds. Unit 1 is at 94% and Unit 2 is at 96% power."
The wind speed at the site is 14 miles per hour at the time of this report.
The NRC Resident Inspector was notified by the licensee. | |