Event Notification Report for October 12, 2011
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
10/11/2011 - 10/12/2011
Agreement State
Event Number: 47377
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: PETROCHEM INSPECTION SERVICES
Region: 4
City: CORPUS CHRISTI State: TX
County:
License #: 04460
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ART TUCKER
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Licensee: PETROCHEM INSPECTION SERVICES
Region: 4
City: CORPUS CHRISTI State: TX
County:
License #: 04460
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ART TUCKER
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Notification Date: 10/27/2011
Notification Time: 11:37 [ET]
Event Date: 10/12/2011
Event Time: 00:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 10/27/2011
Notification Time: 11:37 [ET]
Event Date: 10/12/2011
Event Time: 00:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 10/27/2011
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
VIVIAN CAMPBELL (R4DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME)
CYNTHIA JONES (NSIR)
VIVIAN CAMPBELL (R4DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME)
CYNTHIA JONES (NSIR)
TEXAS AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - RADIOGRAPHER OVEREXPOSURE
The following was received from the state via email:
"On October 17, 2011, the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] was notified by a licensee that one of its radiographers had climbed a ladder to remove the guide tube from a SA Model 880 radiography camera containing a 49.3 curie Iridium (IR)-192 source that was suspended by a rope. Another employee walked by the area and observed the survey meter needle was pegged high. He yelled at the radiographer who climbed down the ladder and attempted to crank the source back into the camera. The source would not move so he cranked it all the way out and then retracted it successfully. The radiographer's badge was sent for processing. The badge had a whole-body dose reading of 4,192 millirem, bringing his total for the year to 5,196 millirem, exceeding the annual limit. The radiographer was unable to ascertain where the source had been in the guide tube. The radiographer did not carry the dose rate instrument to the camera because the safety rules for the facility he was working at does not allow an individual to climb a ladder with any articles in their hand. On October 27, 2011, the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] was informed by the licensee that they had completed their investigation and had calculated the dose to the radiographers left hand, which had been on the guide tube, to be between 51 and 58 rem for the event exceeding the annual limit. The licensee stated that they had not observed any changes in appearance in the radiographer's hand. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."
Texas Incident # I-8894
The following was received from the state via email:
"On October 17, 2011, the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] was notified by a licensee that one of its radiographers had climbed a ladder to remove the guide tube from a SA Model 880 radiography camera containing a 49.3 curie Iridium (IR)-192 source that was suspended by a rope. Another employee walked by the area and observed the survey meter needle was pegged high. He yelled at the radiographer who climbed down the ladder and attempted to crank the source back into the camera. The source would not move so he cranked it all the way out and then retracted it successfully. The radiographer's badge was sent for processing. The badge had a whole-body dose reading of 4,192 millirem, bringing his total for the year to 5,196 millirem, exceeding the annual limit. The radiographer was unable to ascertain where the source had been in the guide tube. The radiographer did not carry the dose rate instrument to the camera because the safety rules for the facility he was working at does not allow an individual to climb a ladder with any articles in their hand. On October 27, 2011, the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] was informed by the licensee that they had completed their investigation and had calculated the dose to the radiographers left hand, which had been on the guide tube, to be between 51 and 58 rem for the event exceeding the annual limit. The licensee stated that they had not observed any changes in appearance in the radiographer's hand. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."
Texas Incident # I-8894
Agreement State
Event Number: 47340
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER
Region: 4
City: HOUSTON State: TX
County:
License #: L00466
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KAREN BLANCHARD
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Licensee: MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER
Region: 4
City: HOUSTON State: TX
County:
License #: L00466
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KAREN BLANCHARD
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Notification Date: 10/13/2011
Notification Time: 14:45 [ET]
Event Date: 10/12/2011
Event Time: 14:30 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 10/13/2011
Notification Time: 14:45 [ET]
Event Date: 10/12/2011
Event Time: 14:30 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 10/13/2011
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
JACK WHITTEN (R4DO)
JAMES DANNA (FSME)
JACK WHITTEN (R4DO)
JAMES DANNA (FSME)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - MALFUNCTION OF IRRADIATOR SOURCE DRIVE MECHANISM
The following information was received from the Texas Dept of Health Services Investigation Unit Radiation Branch via email:
"On October 12, 2011, at 1552 hours CDT, the Agency was notified by the licensee's Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) that there had been a malfunction identified with [a self contained] irradiator, at the licensee's facility in Houston, Texas. The source was, and had been, in the fully shielded position and therefore did not present a risk of exposure to any individual. The owner/operator within the facility reported to the RSO's staff that the compressor failed on Friday, October 7, 2011, and they were going to get it repaired or replaced. While working to replace/repair the compressor, it was determined that the problem was not the compressor. The licensee was able to open and close the door to the irradiation chamber and apparently make up all the interlocks, but the source failed to move. Finally, it was determined on Wednesday, October 12th at approximately 1430 hrs that the source drive mechanism was failing to move the source. The owner/operator has been in contact with Shepherd to make arrangements for repair. More information will be provided as it is obtained. The irradiator has been posted as out of service. The source is properly shielded as shown by dose rate surveys conducted in the room."
Texas Incident Number: I-8892
The following information was received from the Texas Dept of Health Services Investigation Unit Radiation Branch via email:
"On October 12, 2011, at 1552 hours CDT, the Agency was notified by the licensee's Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) that there had been a malfunction identified with [a self contained] irradiator, at the licensee's facility in Houston, Texas. The source was, and had been, in the fully shielded position and therefore did not present a risk of exposure to any individual. The owner/operator within the facility reported to the RSO's staff that the compressor failed on Friday, October 7, 2011, and they were going to get it repaired or replaced. While working to replace/repair the compressor, it was determined that the problem was not the compressor. The licensee was able to open and close the door to the irradiation chamber and apparently make up all the interlocks, but the source failed to move. Finally, it was determined on Wednesday, October 12th at approximately 1430 hrs that the source drive mechanism was failing to move the source. The owner/operator has been in contact with Shepherd to make arrangements for repair. More information will be provided as it is obtained. The irradiator has been posted as out of service. The source is properly shielded as shown by dose rate surveys conducted in the room."
Texas Incident Number: I-8892