| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
01/18/2011 - 01/19/2011 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | General Information | Event Number: 46489 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: H&H X-RAY SERVICES INC.
Region: 4
City: LUFKIN State: TX
County:
License #: 02516
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ART TUCKER
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ | Notification Date: 12/17/2010
Notification Time: 19:16 [ET]
Event Date: 12/10/2010
Event Time: [CST]
Last Update Date: 01/18/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
LINDA HOWELL (R4DO)
KEVIN O'SULLIVAN (FSME)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - RADIOGRAPHY CAMERA LOCKING DEVICE FAILURE RESULTING IN PERSONNEL EXPOSURE
"On December 17, 2010, the Agency [Texas Department of Health Services] was notified by the licensee that on December 10, 2010, the locking device on QSA model 880 camera containing 97 curies of Iridium (Ir) 192 failed to activate. The radiography crew (group A) had completed operations at one site near Lufkin, Texas, and was moving to a new location at the same site. The radiography camera with the cranking device and guide tube still attached were placed in the dark room of the radiographers' truck. The licensee stated that a survey was conducted to verify the source was in the fully shielded, locked position. As the radiographer was driving to the new location, he passed about 5 feet from another group of radiographers (group B) from the same licensee. As group A passed by group B, group B's dosimeters alarmed. Group B stopped group A and told them that their alarms had gone off. Group A went to the camera, picked up the crank for the camera, and found that the source had moved from the locked position approximately one quarter of a turn. The radiographer cranked the source back to the fully shielded position and secured the camera for transportation.
"The radiographers did not inform the licensee of the event until December 16, 2010. At that time, the licensee began an investigation of the event, including reenactments of the event to determine how much dose the radiographers had received. During the investigation, it was discovered that both radiographer's self reading pocket dosimeters had been read after the camera was secured and were reading off scale. The licensee determined that radiographers 'A' were eight feet from the source while they were driving and would have been exposed to the source for approximately 10 minutes. A dose estimate of 1,700 millirem was made for both individuals. The thermoluminescent dosimeters for radiographers 'A' have been sent to the processor for reading. The licensee stated they expected the readings by late Monday December 20. The licensee stated that several pieces of radiography film were lying on the seat of the truck when the event occurred. The film was developed and indicated that it had been exposed to approximately 1,700 millirem. The licensee stated that neither radiographer would have received enough exposure to exceed any limit. The licensee stated that no member of the general public was exposed to any radiation as a result of this event.
"The licensee has not inspected the camera. The licensee stated that the camera is out of service and is currently stored in their storage facility. Additional information has been requested of the licensee. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."
Texas Incident #I-8803
* * * UPDATE FROM ART TUCKER TO JOE O'HARA VIA E-MAIL AT 1203 EST ON 1/18/11 * * *
"On December 23, 2010, the Agency [Texas Department of Health Services] performed an on-site investigation at the licensee's facility. The investigation determined that the camera did not fail to operate properly, but that the operator failed to fully retract and lock the source in place."
Notified R4DO(O'Keefe) and FSME(Villamar). |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 46536 | Rep Org: NC DIV OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: FMC LITHIUM
Region: 1
City: BESSEMER CITY State: NC
County:
License #: 036-2384-0G
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: WILLIAM JOHNSON
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN | Notification Date: 01/13/2011
Notification Time: 15:30 [ET]
Event Date: 09/18/2010
Event Time: 20:30 [EST]
Last Update Date: 01/18/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
LAWRENCE DOERFLEIN (R1DO)
GLENDA VILLAMAR (FSME)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT INVOLVING AN EXIT TRITIUM SIGN DESTROYED IN A FACILITY FIRE
The following information was received by facsimile:
"The RPS [North Carolina Radiation Protection Section] received a voice message on 1-6-2011 from the FMC Lithium RSO [Radiation Safety Officer]. The RSO wanted RPS to contact him concerning removing an Exit Sign from his current inventory of sources. [RPS] was able to get in touch with the RSO on Wednesday, January 12, 2011 and the RSO stated on the phone than he needed to remove the Exit Sign because there was a fire at the facility on September 18, 2010 that shut down the facility for two weeks and damage was around $500,000. RPS explained to the RSO that he should have responded and reported the incident/fire immediately to our office.
"[RPS] received a call back from the RSO for FMC Lithium concerning which Exit Sign was affected by fire on September 18, 2010. The General License Number: 036-2384-0G has 6 Cs-137 gauges that are active and one Cs-137 gauge in storage. Also, they have 22 Tritium exit lights in service on and before the fire on September 18, 2010. The reason the RSO reported the Exit Sign on 1-12-2011 was he was going to order a replacement for the one that was destroyed in the fire and he was getting ready to perform a Radiation Training Session for their employees. The source that was destroyed was: Manufacturer: Shield, Model: SLX-60, Serial Number: 10-21664, Source: H-3, Activity: 0.230 mCi ea., Location: SO Building 1st floor. Installed: Aug/2010"
North Carolina Event: 11-02
* * * UPDATE FROM WILLIAM JOHNSON TO JOE O'HARA AT 1246 EST ON 1/18/11 * * *
The state called to clarify that the activity level is 6.21 Curies H-3 vice 0.230 mCuries, and the manufacturers full name is Shield/Isolite vice Shield as reported above for the exit sign which was destroyed.
Notified R1DO(Jackson) and FSME(Villamar).
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. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 46537 | Rep Org: MISSISSIPPI DIV OF RAD HEALTH
Licensee: LADNER TESTING
Region: 4
City: JACKSON State: MS
County:
License #: MS-382-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JULIA RALSTON
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO | Notification Date: 01/13/2011
Notification Time: 16:03 [ET]
Event Date: 01/12/2011
Event Time: 15:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 01/13/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
BOB HAGAR (R4DO)
LARRY CAMPER (FSME)
ILTAB via email ()
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - THEFT OF A NUCLEAR DENSITY GAUGE
The following information was received by e-mail:
"The licensee's RSO [Radiation Safety Officer] contacted DRH [Mississippi Division of Radiological Health] to report the theft of their Troxler Model 3440 (S/N 26434) nuclear gauge that was secured in the back of their stolen white Ford F-150 pick-up truck parked in the licensee's fenced lot. The truck and gauge were estimated to have been stolen between 1500 [CST] and 1530 [CST]. The gauge was stored in the yellow plastic transport case with Radioactive Yellow II labels attached.
"The licensee was instructed by DRH to send in a written report describing the incidents leading up to the event that occurred on January 12, 2011, and any corrective actions or follow up performed. Once the gauge is located, DRH will survey and retrieve the gauge. DRH will notify NRC Operations. Event is under investigation and enforcement action may be required by DRH.
"Jackson City Police was notified by the licensee. Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) notified Mississippi Emergency Management and Mississippi Homeland Security. MSDH issued a press release January 13, 2011. DRH will notify NRC Operations."
Gauge Isotopes: Cs-137(9 mCi) and Am/Be-241 (40 mCi).
Mississippi Event Number: MS-11-001
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. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 46548 | Facility: SAINT LUCIE
Region: 2 State: FL
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] CE,[2] CE
NRC Notified By: BRAD BISHOP
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH | Notification Date: 01/18/2011
Notification Time: 10:48 [ET]
Event Date: 01/19/2011
Event Time: 02:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 01/18/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
MARVIN SYKES (R2DO)
|
| 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 | N | 0 | Refueling | 0 | Refueling | Event Text EMERGENCY RESPONSE DATA ACQUISITION AND DISPLAY SYSTEM (ERDADS) REMOVED FROM SERVICE FOR MAINTENANCE
"On 1/19/11, St Lucie Unit 1 and Unit 2 will lose the computer trains associated with Emergency Response Data Acquisition and Display System (ERDADS). Unit 1 will be removed for corrective maintenance, and Unit 2 will be removed for system modification. It is expected that Unit 1 will be restored by 1/21/11, and Unit 2 will be returned to a functional status prior to core reload and fully operational by March 20, 2011. Further, neither Unit 1 nor Unit 2 ERDADS will be removed from service until Unit 2 has defueled (currently scheduled for 1/19/2011 at 0200). This is an advance notification of a planned loss of emergency assessment capability, which will be reportable under 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(xiii). Other means to monitor critical data exists. Notification will be made when each unit is restored to available status."
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 46549 | Facility: BRAIDWOOD
Region: 3 State: IL
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: SCOTT BUTLER
HQ OPS Officer: JOE O'HARA | Notification Date: 01/18/2011
Notification Time: 15:19 [ET]
Event Date: 01/18/2011
Event Time: 06:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 01/18/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
26.719 - FITNESS FOR DUTY
| Person (Organization):
TAMARA BLOOMER (R3DO)
|
| 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 CONFIRMED POSITIVE TEST FOR ILLEGAL DRUG
A non-licensed employee supervisor has a confirmed positive test for an illegal drug during a random fitness for duty test. The employees access to the plant has been cancelled. Contact the Headquarters Operations Officer for more details.
The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 46550 | Facility: SAN ONOFRE
Region: 4 State: CA
Unit: [ ] [2] [3]
RX Type: [1] W-3-LP,[2] CE,[3] CE
NRC Notified By: RONALD L. KELMENSON
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO | Notification Date: 01/18/2011
Notification Time: 16:37 [ET]
Event Date: 01/18/2011
Event Time: 09:45 [PST]
Last Update Date: 01/18/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
NEIL OKEEFE (R4DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | | 3 | N | N | 0 | Cold Shutdown | 0 | Cold Shutdown | Event Text SIREN GROWL HEARD OFFSITE
"On January 18, 2011, at about 0830 PST, a State Park Ranger notified SONGS [San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station] Security that a siren growl was heard in the San Clemente State Park. Security subsequently notified the Control Room. Site Emergency Planning initiated an investigation of the event and informed the City of San Clemente Emergency Planning at approximately 0945 PST of the park ranger's call.
"SONGS investigation by its siren technicians into the potential SONGS siren growl resulted in absolutely no indication of activation of any of SONGS emergency sirens. It should be noted that quarterly growl tests have been scheduled during working hours January 18-20, 2011, and this information is posted on the City of San Clemente web site. However the tests had not been initiated at the time of the ranger report.
"In compliance with 10CFR50.72(b)(2)(xi), requiring licensees to report any event that results in notification to other government agencies, SCE [Southern California Edison] is providing this notification to the NRC.
"At the time of the State Park Ranger notification, Unit 2 was at approximately 100 percent power and Unit 3 was shutdown for a Steam Generator Replacement Outage. SCE will notify the NRC Resident Inspectors about this occurrence and will provide them with a copy of this report."
* * * UPDATE FROM DENNIS MORRIS TO JOE O'HARA AT 1954 ON 1/18/11 * * *
"SONGS telecommunications confirmed that the siren which was reported earlier was associated with Camp Pendleton and not associated with SONGS."
Notified R4DO(O'Keefe) |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 46551 | Facility: DAVIS BESSE
Region: 3 State: OH
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] B&W-R-LP
NRC Notified By: TOM PHILLIPS
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD | Notification Date: 01/19/2011
Notification Time: 03:10 [ET]
Event Date: 01/19/2011
Event Time: 02:32 [EST]
Last Update Date: 01/19/2011 | Emergency Class: UNUSUAL EVENT
10 CFR Section:
50.72(a) (1) (i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED
| Person (Organization):
TAMARA BLOOMER (R3DO)
WILLIAM GOTT (IRD)
MARK SATORIUS (R3)
BRUCE BOGER (NRR)
TRIPP STRINGFIELD (DHS)
ERWIN CASTO (FEMA)
|
| 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 NOTIFICATION OF UNUSUAL EVENT DUE TO A FIRE AND EXPLOSIONS IN THE PROTECTED AREA
"An electrical fire and explosions were reported near the Containment Access Facility construction area. An Unusual Event was declared based on HU4. Temporary electrical power at service disconnect DSLM3-3 was isolated. The fire was out at 0243 EST. The fire was extinguished using dry chemical. The fire was reported at 0232 EST on 1/19/11. The cause of the fire has not been determined at this time."
The fire and explosions were initially reported by site security personnel. The licensee declared the NOUE at 0243 EST based on criteria HU4. The licensee initially called for offsite assistance in putting out the fire, however, the fire was extinguished by plant personnel and the offsite assistance was turned back. The licensee posted a reflash watch. The fire reportedly involved temporary cables and possibly a transformer supplying power to the construction area which is located inside the protected area outside the auxiliary building.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
* * * UPDATE FROM TOM PHILLIPS TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 0405 EST ON 1/19/2011 * * *
The licensee terminated the Notification of Unusual Event at 0358 EST. No additional information is available at this time.
Notified R3DO (Bloomer), NRR EO (Skeen), IRD (Gott), DHS (Stringfield), and FEMA (Casto). | |