| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
08/11/2006 - 08/14/2006 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | General Information or Other | Event Number: 42756 | Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: RMA GEOSCIENCE
Region: 4
City: CHINO State: CA
County: SAN BERNARDINO
License #: 6384-30
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: CJ SALGADO
HQ OPS Officer: BILL GOTT | Notification Date: 08/08/2006
Notification Time: 18:17 [ET]
Event Date: 08/08/2006
Event Time: 05:00 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 08/09/2006 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
RUSSELL BYWATER (R4)
PATRICIA HOLAHAN (NMSS)
ILTAB VIA EMAIL ()
MEXICO VIA EMAIL ()
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text STOLEN MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
After picking up the CPN Model MC-3 Moisture Density Gauge (s/n M38128625 10 millicuries Cs-137 and 50 millicuries Am-241:Be) at the company's office in Chino, CA, the gauge operator stopped at his residence in Victorville, CA, for 20 to 30 minutes. The operator's residence is on the way to the job site. The gauge was chained to the bed of the company truck which was parked in the operator's personal stall. When the operator returned to his truck the two chains that secured the gauge case to the truck were cut, and the gauge and case were gone. The San Bernardino Sheriff's Office was notified and investigated. The Radiation Safety Officer is preparing a reward offer. The gauge was within its leak test interval, and the last test was satisfactory.
* * * UPDATE ON 8/9/2006 AT 0001 FROM BARBARA HAMRICK TO ABRAMOVITZ * * *
The State provided the following information via email:
"Today at about 6:15 pm, the California Radiologic Health Branch reported that a moisture-density gauge had been stolen in Victorville, CA this morning. The gauge belonged to RMA Geoscience. We are happy to report, the gauge was found tonight intact, in an abandoned field in Victorville, by the Victorville Fire Department. The RSO was contacted, and will be retrieving the gauge tonight, and returning it to the authorized permanent storage location in Chino, CA."
Notified NMSS (Holahan), ILTAB, R1DO (Bywater) and Mexico (via E-mail).
THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 42758 | Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: SOUTHLAND GEOTECHNICAL
Region: 4
City: EL CENTRO State: CA
County:
License #: 3931-13
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: BARBARA HAMRICK
HQ OPS Officer: JASON KOZAL | Notification Date: 08/09/2006
Notification Time: 14:55 [ET]
Event Date: 08/09/2006
Event Time: [PDT]
Last Update Date: 08/09/2006 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
RUSSELL BYWATER (R4)
MICHELE BURGESS (NMSS)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DAMAGED MOISTURE-DENSITY GAUGE
The State provided the following information via e-mail:
"At about 8:45 am, [DELETED] with California OES notified RHB that he had received a call regarding a damaged moisture-density gauge. [DELETED], Alternate RSO for Southland Geotechnical (also dba Landmark Consultants), called to report that a Troxler, Model 3430 moisture-density gauge (S/N 29144), with a nominal 8 mCi Cs-137 and a nominal 40 mCi Am-241 source was run over by a loader at a temporary job-site in Heber, CA. The guide bar was broken, but the source rod was not. They were able to fully retract the source, but could not lock it in the shielded position. They took a leak test of the source, which is being analyzed, and they used duct tape to maintain the source in the shielded position. The source is currently secured in its case at the authorized, permanent storage location. After the results of the leak test are returned, if it is negative, the gauge will be returned to Troxler for repair." |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 42759 | Rep Org: WA DIVISION OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: AITEC USA INC / WELDSONIX
Region: 4
City: HOUSTON State: TX
County:
License #: LOI718
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: CRAIG LAWRENCE
HQ OPS Officer: JASON KOZAL | Notification Date: 08/09/2006
Notification Time: 15:41 [ET]
Event Date: 08/09/2006
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/10/2006 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
RUSSELL BYWATER (R4)
MICHELE BURGESS (NMSS)
LANCE ENGLISH (TAS)
PETER WILSON (IRD)
HASELTON (DHS)
TOMAS YATES (DOE)
PO THOMPSON (EPA)
CANADA VIA E-MAIL ()
NATHAN PYLES (HHS)
ERWIN CASTO (FEMA)
|
| This material event contains a "Category 2" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN RADIOGRAPHY CAMERA
The State provided the following information via email:
"This is notification of an event in Washington State as reported to and being investigated by the WA Department of Health, Office of Radiation Protection.
Date of Event: Wednesday, August 9, 2006
Location of Event: Everett Washington
ABSTRACT: (where, when, how, why; cause, contributing factors, corrective actions, consequences, Dept. of Health (DOH) on-site investigation; media attention): At some time between 10:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 8 and 6:00 a.m. Wednesday August 9, 2006, a radiography truck was stolen from the parking lot of the Extended Stay America hotel on 8410 Broadway in Everett, Washington. The truck was discovered missing at 6:00 am as the radiographer was about to leave for work. The truck contained an AEA (QSA Global) model 880 radiography device, Serial Number D2720. The device contained an Iridium-192 75 curie source, serial number 28772B. The device was reported to be locked and secured in the truck. The truck was reported to be equipped with an alarm and truck disabling device but was not used. The keys to the vehicle were reported to have been left in the door of the truck. The truck is a white 2006 Chevrolet 2500HD extended cab with a dark room shell in the bed. It has a Texas license plate number [DELETED]. A report was made by the radiography company to the Everett police department upon discovery of the missing truck.
Notification Reporting Criteria: WAC 246-221-240.
Isotope and Activity involved: Iridium 192, 75 curies.
Overexposures? (number of workers/members of the public; dose estimate; body part receiving dose; consequence): None.
Lost, Stolen or Damaged? (mfg., model, serial number): Stolen model AEA (QSA Global) model 880 radiography device, s/n D2720. It contained a 75 curie source, s/n 28772B.
Disposition/recovery: None.
Leak test? May 25, 2006.
Vehicle: (description; placards; Shipper; package type; Pkg. ID number)
The truck is a white 2006 Chevrolet 2500HD extended cab with a dark room shell in the bed. It has a Texas license plate number [DELETED].
Release of activity? None.
Activity and pharmaceutical compound intended: N/A
Misadministered activity and/or compound received: N/A
Device (HDR, etc.) Mfg., Model; computer program: N/A
Exposure (intended/actual); consequences: N/A
Was patient or responsible relative notified? N/A
Was written report provided? N/A
Was referring physician notified? N/A
Consultant used? N/A"
Washington Event Number : WA-06-051
Other agencies notified: USDA - Krisher-Clive
* * *UPDATE PROVIDED BY SCROGGS TO KOZAL VIA E-MAIL ON 8/10/06 AT 1712 EDT* * *
"The truck was found by police at 4 pm [PDT], August 9. It had been abandoned in a strip-mall parking lot near Everett. DOH staff were at the scene, making measurements and assured radiation safety for police and fire personnel during the recovery effort. It appears the dark room had not been entered. The radiography device was still in its stowed position. After the police had finished conducting their criminal investigation at the scene, the truck and device were returned to WeldSonix IR personnel.
DOH staff are continuing to investigate the incident. Corrective actions are to be determined."
Notified R4DO (Bywater), NMSS(Holahan), TAS(Hahn), IRD(Wilson), DHS(Craig), DOE(Watt), EPA Region X(Sibley), Canada via e-mail, HHS(Dalziel), FEMA (Bagwell), USDA(Parks)
THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "CATEGORY 2" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
Category 2 sources, if not safely managed or securely protected, could cause permanent injury to a person who handled them, or were otherwise in contact with them, for a short time (minutes to hours). It could possibly be fatal to be close to this amount of unshielded radioactive material for a period of hours to days. These sources are typically used in practices such as industrial gamma radiography, high dose rate brachytherapy and medium dose rate brachytherapy. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 42762 | Facility: KEWAUNEE
Region: 3 State: WI
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-2-LP
NRC Notified By: DAVID KARST
HQ OPS Officer: JASON KOZAL | Notification Date: 08/10/2006
Notification Time: 16:40 [ET]
Event Date: 08/10/2006
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/11/2006 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
THOMAS KOZAK (R3)
|
| 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 ELEVATED TRITIUM LEVELS IN ONSITE SAMPLE LOCATIONS
"At 1400 on 8/10/06 KPS [made] a notification to the State and Local Government that samples taken at settling plugs in the basement of the Auxiliary Building and Turbine Building show elevated tritium levels. Detected tritium levels were between 6,000 and 103,000 pico curies per liter. The Radiological Effluent Program has not detected any elevated tritium levels outside the plant. RCS leakage is .19 gpm, stable and within Technical Specification limits and there is currently no identified leakage from the Spent Fuel Pool.
Investigation is continuing to identify the reason for the increase in tritium levels."
The licensee notified the following agencies:
State of Wisconsin: Department of Emergency Management and Department of Natural Resources Regional Office
County governments: Kewaunee County Emergency Director and Manitowoc County Emergency Director
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
* * * UPDATE PROVIDED BY KARST TO KOZAL ON 8/10/2006 AT 1839 * * *
The licensee is planning a press release concerning the elevated tritium levels. This press release will be issued the morning of 8/11/2006.
Notified R3DO (Kozak), NRR EO (Nieh), IRD (Wilson), R3 OPA (Mitlyng), HQ OPA (Hayden)
* * * UPDATE PROVIDED BY KARST TO KOZAL ON 8/11/2006 AT 1820 * * *
"In the initial notification, KPS personnel stated that there was currently no identified leakage from the spent fuel pool. For clarification, there is no indication of gross leakage from the spent fuel pool. However, KPS personnel will be continuing an investigation by collecting and analyzing water droplets from the Spent Fuel Pool leakage detection telltale drains to determine if the water droplets are from the spent fuel pool."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
Notified R3DO (Kozak) |
| Fuel Cycle Facility | Event Number: 42763 | Facility: PADUCAH GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANT
RX Type: URANIUM ENRICHMENT FACILITY
Comments: 2 DEMOCRACY CENTER
6903 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE
BETHESDA, MD 20817 (301)564-3200
Region: 2
City: PADUCAH State: KY
County: McCRACKEN
License #: GDP-1
Agreement: Y
Docket: 0707001
NRC Notified By: K.A. BEASLEY
HQ OPS Officer: JASON KOZAL | Notification Date: 08/11/2006
Notification Time: 12:12 [ET]
Event Date: 08/10/2006
Event Time: 17:05 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/11/2006 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
76.120(c)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE
| Person (Organization):
KERRY LANDIS (R2)
CINDY FLANNERY (NMSS)
| Event Text INOPERABLE HIGH PRESSURE FIRE WATER SYSTEM
"At 1705, on 08-10-06, the Plant Shift Superintendent was notified of a large water leak on High Pressure Fire Water system A-5. This system provides water for fire suppression to a portion of the C-337 process building. The system was immediately isolated and TSR [2445] required hourly fire patrols were initiated for the affected area. The leak was located on an underground eight inch header immediately adjacent to the south wall of the building. Engineering has reviewed this incident and determined that due to the size of the leak, the system could not have performed the intended safety function.
"This is being reported as an event in which equipment is disabled or fails to function as designed when the equipment is required by a TSR to be available and operable and either should have been operating or should have operated on demand, and no redundant equipment is available.
"PGDP Problem Report No. ATRC -06-2592; PGDP Event Report No. PAD-2006-07; Worksheet No. Responsible Division: Operations.
"The NRC Senior Resident Inspector has been notified of this event." |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 42764 | Facility: HOPE CREEK
Region: 1 State: NJ
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4
NRC Notified By: BERNARD LITKETT
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON | Notification Date: 08/11/2006
Notification Time: 13:28 [ET]
Event Date: 08/11/2006
Event Time: 09:55 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/11/2006 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
JOHN CARUSO (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 INADVERTENT OCA SIREN ACTIVATON
"At 0955 EST, the Security Secondary Alarm Station (SAS) operator, in preparation for activity on the site firing range, proceeded to activate the Owner Control Area (OCA) Public Address system to make a site page announcement informing station personnel of range activity. During this process, the SAS operator inadvertently depressed the OCA Siren pushbutton instead of the Public Address pushbutton activating the onsite emergency sirens. The OCA siren system also activates an automatic prerecorded page address which informs non-essential personnel to evacuate the Owner Controlled Area. Approximately 50 to 75 nonessential personnel left the Salem and Hope Creek site, prior to the siren being secured and a page announcement made informing personnel of the inadvertent siren activation. Due to the common OCA, the inadvertent siren actuation affected both Salem and Hope Creek. The siren activation was inadvertent and there was not an actual event requiring site evacuation. Local, County and State agencies were informed of the inadvertent siren actuation. This event is being reported in accordance with 10CFR50.72(b)(2)(xi), Notification of Other Government Agencies."
The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 42766 | Facility: TURKEY POINT
Region: 2 State: FL
Unit: [3] [4] [ ]
RX Type: [3] W-3-LP,[4] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: BERTRAM
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN MacKINNON | Notification Date: 08/14/2006
Notification Time: 00:30 [ET]
Event Date: 08/13/2006
Event Time: 21:30 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/14/2006 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
KERRY LANDIS (R2)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 3 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | | 4 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text OFFSITE NOTIFICATION MADE DUE TO AN OIL SPILL AT TURKEY POINT
"There has been a fuel oil spill at the Turkey Point - Fossil plant of approximately 200 gal at 21:30 on 8/13/06. Turkey Point Nuclear control room was contacted at 00:02 on 8/14/06. The Control Room was notified that the spill had been contained and clean-up was in progress. DERM (Department of Environmental Resource Management) had been contacted at 23:05, and a vacuum truck from SWS Environmental had been dispatched to the site to assist in clean-up. The spill was contained on-site, with no chance of release off-site."
The NRC Resident Inspector will be notified of this notification by the licensee. | |