Event Notification Report for May 31, 2011
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
05/30/2011 - 05/31/2011
Agreement State
Event Number: 46908
Rep Org: NJ RAD PROT AND REL PREVENTION PGM
Licensee: JANX INTEGRITY GROUP
Region: 1
City: LINDEN State: NJ
County:
License #: NJ PI 507152
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: CATHERINE BIEL
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO
Licensee: JANX INTEGRITY GROUP
Region: 1
City: LINDEN State: NJ
County:
License #: NJ PI 507152
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: CATHERINE BIEL
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO
Notification Date: 06/01/2011
Notification Time: 13:05 [ET]
Event Date: 05/31/2011
Event Time: 11:45 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 06/01/2011
Notification Time: 13:05 [ET]
Event Date: 05/31/2011
Event Time: 11:45 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 06/01/2011
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
RICHARD CONTE (R1DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME)
RICHARD CONTE (R1DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT- DAMAGED RADIOGRAPHY SOURCE RETRIEVAL GUIDE TUBE
The following information was received by fax:
"Radiographers set up a shot on a 2 inch diameter pipe which was laying in jackstands. They were working with a SPEC 150 exposure device containing a 42 Ci Iridium-192 sealed source. The jobsite was a large laydown yard in an industrial setting. The pipe fell from the stands and hit the guide tube. The guide tube was hit about 2 inches from the exposure end, and attempts at retracting the source were unsuccessful. The radiographers re-established boundaries and contacted the local [Assistant] RSO (ARSO) from the new boundary at approximately 1200 [EDT]. The ARSO is authorized to perform source retrieval for JANX. [The licensee] maintained surveillance while awaiting his arrival. The ARSO arrived onsite at 1240 [EDT], assessed the situation and interviewed the crew. He noted that the source tube appeared to have 2 crimps. The ARSO was in contact with the Corporate RSO in Michigan during the operation.
"The ARSO used lead blankets to shield the source and surveyed. Survey revealed need for more shielding that was delivered to the site by [1345 EDT] and acceptable dose rate was achieved. He proceeded to remove the crimped section from the guide tube, observed that the drive cable was unaffected, connected the tube together with tape, and was able to retract the source into the exposure device. The event concluded by [1520 EDT]. The licensee will be making a full report with corrective actions within 30 days of the occurrence."
New Jersey Event: NJ 11003
The following information was received by fax:
"Radiographers set up a shot on a 2 inch diameter pipe which was laying in jackstands. They were working with a SPEC 150 exposure device containing a 42 Ci Iridium-192 sealed source. The jobsite was a large laydown yard in an industrial setting. The pipe fell from the stands and hit the guide tube. The guide tube was hit about 2 inches from the exposure end, and attempts at retracting the source were unsuccessful. The radiographers re-established boundaries and contacted the local [Assistant] RSO (ARSO) from the new boundary at approximately 1200 [EDT]. The ARSO is authorized to perform source retrieval for JANX. [The licensee] maintained surveillance while awaiting his arrival. The ARSO arrived onsite at 1240 [EDT], assessed the situation and interviewed the crew. He noted that the source tube appeared to have 2 crimps. The ARSO was in contact with the Corporate RSO in Michigan during the operation.
"The ARSO used lead blankets to shield the source and surveyed. Survey revealed need for more shielding that was delivered to the site by [1345 EDT] and acceptable dose rate was achieved. He proceeded to remove the crimped section from the guide tube, observed that the drive cable was unaffected, connected the tube together with tape, and was able to retract the source into the exposure device. The event concluded by [1520 EDT]. The licensee will be making a full report with corrective actions within 30 days of the occurrence."
New Jersey Event: NJ 11003
Non-Agreement State
Event Number: 46913
Rep Org: DOW CORNING
Licensee: DOW CORNING, MIDLAND PLANT
Region: 3
City: MIDLAND State: MI
County:
License #: 21-08362-12
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: BRUCE REED
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER
Licensee: DOW CORNING, MIDLAND PLANT
Region: 3
City: MIDLAND State: MI
County:
License #: 21-08362-12
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: BRUCE REED
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER
Notification Date: 06/02/2011
Notification Time: 10:38 [ET]
Event Date: 05/31/2011
Event Time: 17:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 06/02/2011
Notification Time: 10:38 [ET]
Event Date: 05/31/2011
Event Time: 17:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 06/02/2011
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
30.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE
10 CFR Section:
30.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE
Person (Organization):
ROBERT DALEY (R3DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME)
ROBERT DALEY (R3DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME)
PROCESS INSTRUMENT SHUTTER FAILURE
During a routine semiannual periodic inspection, a process gauge with a 15 milliCurie Cs-137 source was identified to have a stuck shutter. The gauge was an Ohmart Model SHF1-A45, S/N 09236K. The instrument is permanently installed on a distillation column about 30 - 35 ft. from the ground. The integrity of the gauge is fine. Surveys indicated that radiation levels surrounding the gauge were less than 1 millirem per hour.
The licensee plans on having the gauge repaired by the manufacturer.
During a routine semiannual periodic inspection, a process gauge with a 15 milliCurie Cs-137 source was identified to have a stuck shutter. The gauge was an Ohmart Model SHF1-A45, S/N 09236K. The instrument is permanently installed on a distillation column about 30 - 35 ft. from the ground. The integrity of the gauge is fine. Surveys indicated that radiation levels surrounding the gauge were less than 1 millirem per hour.
The licensee plans on having the gauge repaired by the manufacturer.
Agreement State
Event Number: 46922
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: CITY PUBLIC SERVICE
Region: 4
City: SAN ANTONIO State: TX
County:
License #: 02876
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KAREN BLANCHARD
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Licensee: CITY PUBLIC SERVICE
Region: 4
City: SAN ANTONIO State: TX
County:
License #: 02876
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KAREN BLANCHARD
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Notification Date: 06/03/2011
Notification Time: 16:44 [ET]
Event Date: 05/31/2011
Event Time: 00:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 06/03/2011
Notification Time: 16:44 [ET]
Event Date: 05/31/2011
Event Time: 00:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 06/03/2011
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
BLAIR SPITZBERG (R4DO)
BILL VON TILL (FSME)
BLAIR SPITZBERG (R4DO)
BILL VON TILL (FSME)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - FIXED GAUGE SHUTTER FAILURE
The following information was received via e-mail from the Texas Department of State Health Services concerning an event that occurred at the Calaveras Power Station in San Antonio, Texas:
"On June 3, 2011, at 1330 CDT, the agency [Texas Department of State Health] received a phone call from the licensee's Radiation Safety Officer reporting a fixed nuclear gauge failure. He stated that on Tuesday, May 31, 2011, the licensee's employees had closed the gauge shutter while they were calibrating the detector. When one of the employees attempted to re-open the shutter, the employee said he felt something 'sort of give' and the shutter would not open. The handle was loose. The RSO was called and he came to the location of the gauge. He checked the handle and it was loose, so rather than try to open the gauge he left it closed. He verified that the shutter was completely closed by performing a survey with a portable survey meter. The equipment the gauge was mounted to was not necessary to be in operation so it was shut down until the gauge could be repaired.
"On Friday, June 3, 2011, ThermoFisher Scientific (TFS) service came on-site and repaired the handle. The RSO stated that the TFS said the pin at the bottom of the handle had corroded and broke. The pin that holds the handle to the mechanism that opens/closes the shutter is inside the gauge housing. Gauge is a K-Ray Model, 7062BP, serial number 27118E, which contains a 50 millicurie cesium -137 source.
"An investigation by the licensee into the cause and potential corrective actions in underway."
Texas Report I-8860
The following information was received via e-mail from the Texas Department of State Health Services concerning an event that occurred at the Calaveras Power Station in San Antonio, Texas:
"On June 3, 2011, at 1330 CDT, the agency [Texas Department of State Health] received a phone call from the licensee's Radiation Safety Officer reporting a fixed nuclear gauge failure. He stated that on Tuesday, May 31, 2011, the licensee's employees had closed the gauge shutter while they were calibrating the detector. When one of the employees attempted to re-open the shutter, the employee said he felt something 'sort of give' and the shutter would not open. The handle was loose. The RSO was called and he came to the location of the gauge. He checked the handle and it was loose, so rather than try to open the gauge he left it closed. He verified that the shutter was completely closed by performing a survey with a portable survey meter. The equipment the gauge was mounted to was not necessary to be in operation so it was shut down until the gauge could be repaired.
"On Friday, June 3, 2011, ThermoFisher Scientific (TFS) service came on-site and repaired the handle. The RSO stated that the TFS said the pin at the bottom of the handle had corroded and broke. The pin that holds the handle to the mechanism that opens/closes the shutter is inside the gauge housing. Gauge is a K-Ray Model, 7062BP, serial number 27118E, which contains a 50 millicurie cesium -137 source.
"An investigation by the licensee into the cause and potential corrective actions in underway."
Texas Report I-8860