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U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
Event Reports For
08/17/2011 - 08/18/2011
** EVENT NUMBERS **
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| Agreement State |
Event Number: 47144 |
Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: PAVEMENT ENGINEERING INC.
Region: 4
City: REDDING State: CA
County: SHASTA
License #: 4977-45
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KENT PRENDERGAST
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ |
Notification Date: 08/11/2011
Notification Time: 15:06 [ET]
Event Date: 08/06/2011
Event Time: 04:30 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 08/17/2011 |
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE |
Person (Organization):
THOMAS FARNHOLTZ (R4DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME)
DARYL JOHNSON (ILTA)
MEXICO VIA FAX/EMAIL () |
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. |
Event Text
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
The following information was received from the state of California via e-mail:
"On August 8, 2011, Mr. Todd Rucker, RSO from Pavement Engineering, Inc., notified RHB [Radiation Health Branch] Sacramento that one of their moisture-density gauge operators lost a gauge at their job site on August 6, 2011 at approximately 4:30 am. The gauge had been borrowed from A. Teicher & Son, Inc., License No 4030-34. The gauge was used on a job site on HWY 70 in Yuba County, near the town of Olivehurst, CA."
The lost gauge is a Troxler, Model 4640-B, Serial number T464 1793.
This model moisture density gauge has an 8 mCi Cs-137 source.
California event number: 080611
* * * UPDATE FROM EPHRIME MEKURIA TO CHARLES TEAL ON 8/17/11 AT 1731 EDT * * *
Pavement Engineering has found the lost gauge.
Notified R4DO (Hay), FSME EO (Watson), ILTAB (Johnson), and Mexico via fax.
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: 47148 |
Rep Org: MARYLAND DEPT OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Licensee: NUCLETRON CORPORATION
Region: 1
City: COLUMBIA State: MD
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: RAY MANLEY
HQ OPS Officer: JOE O'HARA |
Notification Date: 08/12/2011
Notification Time: 13:27 [ET]
Event Date: 01/20/2009
Event Time: 08:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/12/2011 |
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE |
Person (Organization):
RAY POWELL (R1DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME) |
Event Text
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STUCK SOURCE
The following report was received via fax:
"The field service engineer was conducting the quarterly source exchange at the facility. While unloading the source into the transport container, the engineer received an error code indicating there were issues with the source side drive mechanism. The problem with the drive mechanism prohibited the source from fully deploying into the transport container or retracting back into the safe. The emergency motor was not able to retract the source. Following emergency procedures, the engineer tried to manually retract the source, however, the cable drum was locked-up and would not wind the source cable, He removed the unload transfer tube from the indexer, cut the exposed source cable and manually inserted the source in to the emergency container. The engineer disassembled the drive mechanism and collected the damaged parts. The unit was then cleaned and the cable drum and gear wheel were replaced. The system was tested repeatedly and found to be functioning properly.
"Initial calculations of 241 mR whole body dose were 'worst case scenario'. The dosimeter badge report indicated a whole body dose of 40 mR which does not exceed the regulatory limit for occupational exposure.
"The Root Cause Investigation was completed on 06-15-2009 by Nucletron B.V. in the Netherlands.
"For the investigation and analysis of the incident, the collected damaged parts were sent to Nucletron B.V. in the Netherlands where they were photographed and inspected. Additionally, the engineer was asked for his findings and the system logbook was scrutinized.
"According to the damage on the source cable drum, the drum had made at least 2.2 rotations before it got stuck (293 mm to move out of the indexer; 242 mm from where the source cable was cut off; source cable drum diameter is 80 mm). After examining the damaged parts, there was no visible cause as to why the drum became damaged. An obstruction at this position during the source exchange into the transport container is not expected since at this point it is a single straight tube; however, this cannot be ruled out as a possibility.
"The message logbook of the system was investigated and showed that during the source exchange, the engineer received seven error code 3's at 176 mm all within a six minute time frame. Error code 3 is a source obstruction which can happen when the bushing between the rigid and flexible part of the source cable cannot pass through the indexer clamp of the unload tube due to a misalignment of the clamping mechanism or damage to the source cable. The transfer tube was removed and a normal 'treatment' was performed without problem. The transfer tube was then reattached to exchange the source and four more error code 3's were received within two minutes at the same distance, thus indicating it was purely a container problem.
"There were no errors in the logbook that indicated the source remained outside the system. After the multiple tries with the error code 3, the system was switched off. Upon restart an hour later, two more attempts were made. However, the engineer now received error code 2 indicating the source would no longer come out of the safe. The system was turned back off again. Upon restart thirty minutes later, the unit had a dummy source in it; the source had apparently been unloaded by hand and replaced with a dummy. Later, the source exchange procedure was performed and a dummy source loaded properly; after which, the system worked normally again.
"According to the engineer, the system did not show any error or radiation/out-of-safe message when it was switched off following the problem with the container. When he entered the treatment room, he unexpectedly found the source to be outside the system, at which point he followed the emergency procedures in order to secure the source. Once the source was secure, the engineer forcibly pulled the remaining cable from the cable drum. He then proceeded to clean the system and assess the damaged parts.
"There is no logical explanation as to how the source got stuck outside the system. The logbook does not have any indication to this fact. The damage to the drum and cable may have occurred during the emergency procedure that was carried out to secure the source. Since operator error by the service engineer cannot be ruled out, a retraining on source exchange and handling is required. In addition, the transport container has been returned to Nucletron B.V. in the Netherlands for further investigation."
The source exchange was being conducted on a MicroSelectron HDR-V2, S/N 31526, TCS software version 1.50C, located at the Grant/Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus Ohio.
The field problem report number is FPR 252753. |
| Agreement State |
Event Number: 47149 |
Rep Org: MARYLAND DEPT OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Licensee: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND - COLLEGE PARK
Region: 1
City: COLLEGE PARK State: MD
County:
License #: MD-33-004-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: RAY MANLEY
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ |
Notification Date: 08/12/2011
Notification Time: 13:25 [ET]
Event Date: 08/11/2011
Event Time: 15:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/12/2011 |
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE |
Person (Organization):
RAY POWELL (R1DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME)
DARYL JOHNSON e-mail (ILTA) |
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. |
Event Text
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOSS OF MATERIAL
The following report was received from the state of Maryland via fax:
"The RSO of UMCP [University of Maryland - College Park] telephoned 8/11/11 at 3:00 p.m. to report the loss of a vial of 5ÁCi [microCuries] C-14. [The RSO] indicated that they were in the process of cleaning out a lab and discovered the vial frozen inside of the lab freezer. The vial was removed and placed in a styrofoam cup and put on the counter for removal by the Radiation Safety Office. [At some time subsequent to placing the vial on the counter, the vial disappeared and is now presumed lost.] From the time of discovery of the vial to the response of the Radiation Safety Office was less than 3 hours. It is believed that the facility management personnel cleaning the office, picked up the cup, and disposed of it as regular trash. They looked through the trash and monitored, but couldn't find the vial."
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
This source is not amongst those sources or devices identified by the IAEA Code of Conduct for the Safety & Security of Radioactive Sources to be of concern from a radiological standpoint. Therefore is it being categorized as a less than Category 3 source |
| Agreement State |
Event Number: 47150 |
Rep Org: LOUISIANA RADIATION PROTECTION DIV
Licensee: TEAM INDUSTRIAL
Region: 4
City: Gonzales State: LA
County:
License #: LA-9098-L01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JOE NOBLE
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ |
Notification Date: 08/12/2011
Notification Time: 16:31 [ET]
Event Date: 07/22/2011
Event Time: 15:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/12/2011 |
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE |
Person (Organization):
THOMAS FARNHOLTZ (R4DO)
DARYL JOHNSON e-mail (ILTA)
RICHARD TURTIL (FSME) |
Event Text
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - ATTEMPTED BREAK-IN ON TRUCK CONTAINING A RADIOGRAPHY CAMERA
The following report was received via e-mail:
"On July 22, 2011 at 3:00 p.m., [the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality] received a call from Team Industrial, that there was an attempted break in on a radiography crew's truck, while staying at a hotel in Belle Chasse, LA. It was around 9:30 p.m. on July 21, 2011, when the crew heard the alarm on the truck go off. They came out to see what happened and saw two men take off. There was nothing taken and they called the local law enforcement. However, there was no video surveillance footage available. The crew moved to another hotel with video surveillance in the area of the IR [Industrial Radiography] truck."
The crew came from the Team office in Gonzales, LA. |
| Agreement State |
Event Number: 47153 |
Rep Org: VIRGINIA RAD MATERIALS PROGRAM
Licensee: AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER
Region: 1
City: CLEVELAND State: VA
County:
License #: GL-2266
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: CHARLES COLEMAN
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN |
Notification Date: 08/15/2011
Notification Time: 10:51 [ET]
Event Date: 08/12/2011
Event Time: [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/15/2011 |
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE |
Person (Organization):
JAMES TRAPP (R1DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME) |
Event Text
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - FIXED GAUGE SHUTTER STUCK IN OPEN POSITION
The following report was received from the Virginia Department of Health via facsimile:
"On August 12, 2011, the Radiation Safety Officer of American Electric Power, Clinch River Plant, reported a fixed gauge shutter stuck in the open position. The gauge is a Thermo MeasureTech Model 5197 containing 100 millicuries of cesium-137. It is a general license device used to measure levels in a fly ash precipitator hopper. Based on the licensee's lock-out procedures for entry into the hopper, the licensee has been authorized to continue operations. The licensee has contracted a licensed service provider to repair or replace the gauge. The malfunction does not pose a risk of additional radiation exposure to personnel.
VA report ID: VA-11-0007 |
| Agreement State |
Event Number: 47155 |
Rep Org: OR DEPT OF HEALTH RAD PROTECTION
Licensee: HRK SERVICES
Region: 4
City: HOOD RIVER State: OR
County:
License #: ORE-91120
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KEVIN SIEBERT
HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL |
Notification Date: 08/15/2011
Notification Time: 19:10 [ET]
Event Date: 08/12/2011
Event Time: [PDT]
Last Update Date: 08/15/2011 |
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE |
Person (Organization):
MICHAEL HAY (R4DO)
RICHARD TURTIL (FSME) |
Event Text
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DAMAGED MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
The following was received via email:
"On Friday August 12, 2011, the gauge owned by the licensee had been run over by a roller. The licensee reported that the gauge was in the shielded position and there were no elevated readings on the gauge. The gauge was placed into the shipping case and returned to the office for disposal."
The device was a CPN MC moisture density gauge serial number M390104801 containing 10 milliCuries Cs-137, Am-241/Be 50 milliCuries.
Incident #: 11-0028 |
| Fuel Cycle Facility |
Event Number: 47161 |
Facility: GLOBAL NUCLEAR FUEL - AMERICAS
RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION
Comments: LEU CONVERSION (UF6 TO UO2)
LEU FABRICATION
LWR COMMERICAL FUEL
Region: 2
City: WILMINGTON State: NC
County: NEW HANOVER
License #: SNM-1097
Agreement: Y
Docket: 07001113
NRC Notified By: SCOTT MURRAY
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD |
Notification Date: 08/17/2011
Notification Time: 11:16 [ET]
Event Date: 08/16/2011
Event Time: 12:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/17/2011 |
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
OTHER UNSPEC REQMNT |
Person (Organization):
SCOTT SHAEFFER (R2DO)
KING STABLEIN (NMSS) |
Event Text
IMPROPER CRITICALITY SAFETY EVALUATION
"As part of the ongoing GNF-A review of the Fuel Manufacturing Operation (FMO) Integrated Safety Analysis (ISA), facility walk downs of the UO2 sinter furnace area were performed that identified a configuration that had not been properly analyzed. Based on a review of this as-found condition, it was determined at approximately 12 p.m. on August 16, 2011 that a floor trench in the furnace area was improperly analyzed in a criticality safety evaluation. This resulted in a condition in which criticality controls that were documented as being necessary to meet double contingency were not maintained or available because the geometry of the trench was not properly modeled. There was not an actual loss of double contingency.
"The floor trench does not normally contain uranium, and has removable covers in place to prevent material accumulation and per procedure, is routinely inspected. It was inspected during the spring maintenance shut down and was inspected again today. These inspections confirmed that no visible uranium accumulation was present. At no time was an unsafe condition present. Additional corrective actions and extent of condition are being evaluated.
"This event is being conservatively reported pursuant to GNF-A internal procedure reporting requirements within 24 hours of discovery."
The licensee will notify North Carolina State Radiation Protection agency and the New Hanover County Emergency Coordinator. |
| Part 21 |
Event Number: 47162 |
Rep Org: HYDROAIRE
Licensee: HYDROAIRE
Region: 3
City: CHICAGO State: IL
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ADAM JUNG
HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL |
Notification Date: 08/17/2011
Notification Time: 16:52 [ET]
Event Date: 08/10/2011
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/17/2011 |
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
21.21 - UNSPECIFIED PARAGRAPH |
Person (Organization):
HIRONORI PETERSON (R3DO)
PART 21 GROUP (EMAI) |
Event Text
PART 21 - PUMP SHAFT COUPLING FAILURE
During operation a service water pump coupling failed on 8/10/2011 at Entergy Palisades. The failure occurred in a threaded line shaft coupling. At this point, the failure cause is not known. The root cause analysis is currently underway. |
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