Event Notification Report for August 20, 2010

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
08/19/2010 - 08/20/2010

** EVENT NUMBERS **


46181 46188

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General Information or Other Event Number: 46181
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: TURNER INDUSTRIES GROUP, LLC
Region: 4
City: PARIS State: TX
County:
License #: 05237
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ART TUCKER
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE
Notification Date: 08/17/2010
Notification Time: 13:53 [ET]
Event Date: 07/30/2010
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/18/2010
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
GEOFFREY MILLER (R4DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - RADIOGRAPHER'S BADGE HAD READING OF 37 REM

On August 17, 2010, at 1115 hours, the Agency (State of Texas) was notified by the licensee that their dosimetry processor had notified them that a radiographer's badge was reading 37.060 rem for the month of July, 2010. The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) stated that he had reviewed the daily dose records for the radiographer and the radiographer's recorded total exposure was less than 50 millirem for the exposure period. Also, the radiographer's coworker's badge reading was normal for the same period. The RSO stated that he believed that it was a badge only exposure. He stated that the radiographer works the afternoon shift, so he has not had a chance to interview him. The RSO stated that the radiographer has been removed from all activities which would expose him to any additional radiation exposure. The RSO stated that he was not aware of any single event which would have caused this type of exposure. The RSO stated that he interacts with the radiographer on a daily basis and has not noted any indications of an exposure of this magnitude. The RSO stated that medical exams would be considered if they could not prove that the exposure was to the badge only. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300.

Texas Incident # I-8773

* * * UPDATE FROM ART TUCKER TO JOHN KNOKE AT 1655 EDT ON 8/18/10 * * *

Received the following report from the State of Texas via email:

"On August 18, 2010 at 1045 hours, the Agency [State of Texas] was contacted by the licensee's Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) and informed that they had conducted an interview with the radiographer receiving the over exposure. The radiographer stated that he did not remember ever dropping his TLD. He could not think of any reason why he would have received so much exposure. The RSO stated that the radiographer had performed all of his work within the shooting bays at their facilities. The licensee sent the radiographer to a medical facility for blood work. The RSO stated that the results of the blood work were normal. The RSO stated that the radiographers badge may have been intentionally exposed by another individual. He stated that they have security cameras and would review the tapes for any activities that could explain the exposure. The RSO stated that they had implemented new controls on their workers TLD's. Shift managers will control access to the badges when the workers are not wearing them. The RSO stated that the dosimetry processor could not determine if the dose recorded by the badge was while the badge was moving or stationary."

Notified R4DO (Geoffrey Miller), FSME (Mark Delligatti)

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Power Reactor Event Number: 46188
Facility: PALO VERDE
Region: 4 State: AZ
Unit: [1] [2] [3]
RX Type: [1] CE,[2] CE,[3] CE
NRC Notified By: DELBERT ELKINTON
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE
Notification Date: 08/18/2010
Notification Time: 16:30 [ET]
Event Date: 08/18/2010
Event Time: 07:42 [MST]
Last Update Date: 08/19/2010
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
Person (Organization):
GEOFFREY MILLER (R4DO)

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
1 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation
2 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation
3 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation

Event Text

LOSS OF SEVERAL PUBLIC WARNING SYSTEM SIRENS

"On August 18, 2010, at approximately 0742 Mountain Standard Time (MST), the Palo Verde Emergency Preparedness Department discovered that public warning system sirens Nos. 17, 23, and 34 were not responding, and therefore, were out of service. The loss of these sirens could potentially impact a population of approximately 1800 people in the 5-mile emergency planning zone (EPZ). Since the loss of these sirens could impair Arizona Public Service Company's ability to inform greater than 5% of the population within the EPZ, this notification is being made in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii). If an event occurs while the sirens are out of service, the Palo Verde Emergency Plan has a contingency for dispatching Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) vehicles with loud speakers to alert persons within the affected area. The MCSO is prepared to implement this contingency should it become necessary. Troubleshooting to determine the cause of the failure has commenced.

"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified of the out of service sirens and this ENS call.

"[At the time of the notification to the NRC], siren #23 was restored at 1316 MST. The out of service sirens are now Nos. 17 and 34 with an affected population of 1196 within the 5 mile EPZ."

* * * UPDATE FROM ELKINTON TO HUFFMAN AT 1104 EDT ON 8/19/10 * * *

The licensee restored siren #17 at 1647 MST on 8/18/10. The restoration of this siren provided coverage to all the population within the 5-mile EPZ. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector and will also notify State and local authorities. R4DO (Miller) notified.

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, March 24, 2021