| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
02/17/2012 - 02/21/2012 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | Agreement State | Event Number: 47662 | Rep Org: SC DIV OF HEALTH & ENV CONTROL
Licensee: GS2 ENGINEERING & ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS, INC.
Region: 1
City: NORTH CHARLESTON State: SC
County:
License #: 796
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: LEYLAND CAVE
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER | Notification Date: 02/14/2012
Notification Time: 11:55 [ET]
Event Date: 02/14/2012
Event Time: 11:15 [EST]
Last Update Date: 02/14/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
RAY POWELL (R1DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME)
DENNIS ALLSTON (ILTA)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text STOLEN TROXLER MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
"The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control [SCDHEC] was notified on Tuesday, February 14, 2012, at 1115 [EST], that a Troxler Model 3411B gauge, s/n 9247, containing 8 mCi of Cs-137 and 40 mCi of Am-241:Be, was stolen from the truck bed of the vehicle driven by [an employee] while parked at his home overnight. [The employee] noticed that the gauge was missing at approximately 0700 [EST]. [The employee] called [the SCDHEC] to report the theft of the material. He stated that the Charleston County Sheriff's Department had been notified and was handling the incident. [The SCDHEC notified] the S.C. Fusion Center of the incident."
"The event is open pending the licensee's investigation and report to [the SCDHEC]. Updates will be made through the NMED system."
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: 47666 | Rep Org: MA RADIATION CONTROL PROGRAM
Licensee: GROUNDWATER ANALYTICAL
Region: 1
City: BUZZARDS BAY State: MA
County:
License #: G0046
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DOUG CULLEN
HQ OPS Officer: ERIC SIMPSON | Notification Date: 02/15/2012
Notification Time: 15:39 [ET]
Event Date: 11/02/2011
Event Time: [EST]
Last Update Date: 02/15/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
RAY POWELL (R1DO)
ADELAIDE GIANTELLI (FSME)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOSS OF 13 Ni-63 SOURCES
Groundwater Analytical Company, Massachusetts radioactive materials licensee G0046, underwent bankruptcy proceedings. Their assets were subsequently seized in a bank action and auctioned off by The Branford Group. Among the items auctioned were 13 Ni-63 sources associated with gas chromatograph devices. This auction took place on 11/2/2011. The Massachusetts Radiation Control Program (Agency) discovered this event on 2/15/2012 and has opened an investigation to find the missing radioactive sources.
The auction house which handled the transfer of the gas chromatographs has indicated that they have records of the individuals who purchased the items and will be providing that information to the Agency by the end of the week.
The Agency continues the investigation into this matter and this item remains open.
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: 47667 | Rep Org: PA BUREAU OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: ALLEGHENY LUDLUM CORPORATION
Region: 1
City: LATROBE State: PA
County:
License #: PA-G0010
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DAVID ALLARD
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ | Notification Date: 02/16/2012
Notification Time: 08:01 [ET]
Event Date: 02/14/2012
Event Time: [EST]
Last Update Date: 02/16/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
RAY POWELL (R1DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYZER STUCK OPEN SHUTTER
The following report was received via e-mail:
"On February 14, 2012, the operator of the handheld unit notified the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) that he just got a 'shutter not available' message on the unit. The RSO was at a different plant and he instructed the operator to turn off the unit, remove the battery pack, place the unit in the case, and secure the unit. Upon examination on February 15, 2012, the same message was displayed when the battery was installed. The RSO performed a survey indicating 40 microR/hr at a distance of 1ft. The employee was wearing extremity dosimetry at the time of the event which has been sent for evaluation. More details will follow when available.
"The device is identified as:
Manufacturer: Thermo Niton
Model: XLp 818 [The XLp is an x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer.]
Serial #: 5917
Isotope: Am-241
Activity: 30 mCi
"A local service provider has been contacted to try to close the shutter and package the device so it can be returned to the manufacturer. The RSO sent out the employee's dosimetry to be analyzed. Licensee has been made aware of the 30-day follow-up report requirement."
PA Event Report No.: PA120006 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 47669 | Rep Org: NC DIV OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: JANX NDT/NDE
Region: 1
City: KING State: NC
County:
License #: 085-1117-2
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DIANA SULAS
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 02/16/2012
Notification Time: 11:55 [ET]
Event Date: 02/16/2012
Event Time: [EST]
Last Update Date: 02/16/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
RAY POWELL (R1DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - GAS EXPLOSION OF X-RAY INSPECTION TRAILER - STORED SOURCE UNAFFECTED
The following report is an edited version of information was provided by the North Carolina Radiation Protection Section via e-mail:
"On February 16, 2012 the agency [NC Radiation Protection Section] was notified of a propane tank explosion near Gastonia, NC by the corporate RSO of JANX [NDT/NDE]. This morning when workers at the job site started a generator, an explosion [occurred and] damaged an x-ray trailer at the site. The source of the explosion seems to be a leaking valve on a propane tank. The explosion 'blew off' a wall [of the trailer] and resulted in some burning. On board this trailer was a 1 Ci Ir-192 stopping source contained in a SPEC check model housing. The corporate RSO indicated that the trailer had three compartments and, from what he understood, the back-up x-ray unit onboard the trailer was damaged (Panasonic XIT) [but] the compartment in which the [Ir-192] source was stored was not damaged during the explosion. The housing of the source itself did not show any damage and all radiation levels were normal. The 1 Ci source was moved to a secured Industrial Radiography truck containing a SPEC 150 camera with 110 Ci of Ir-192 that was also on site but not damaged during the explosion. This truck has increased controls on it and was not damaged.
"Two employees have been taken to the emergency room for injuries and the local RSO is on his way to the incident (~10:30am). A NC Rad Mat Inspector was in the area and he will go and verify the report of the corporate RSO.
"The corporate RSO that will be expected [to provide] a written report within 30 days and to leak test the source to ensure that there was no damage. [The NC State x-ray staff] has been notified about the industrial radiography unit [and] they have since contacted the licensee. Since they were working under reciprocity of an NRC license, [NC will also] notify NRC Region I agreement state officer, Monica Oreindi.
"There are no radiation concerns to public health and safety at this time. The inspector was sent just for verification of the report.
"The North Carolina License Number of JANX is 085-1117-2 and physical location address is 1073 Kentland Drive in King, NC 27021. The licensee had issued a reciprocity notification using their NRC license NRC: 21-16560-01 (Reciprocal License NO. 122-0361-R) for their work at the location of the explosion. The notification listed 1441 Delta Drive, Gastonia, NC as the location for work.
"Local media is on site." |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 47671 | Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: TESTING ENGINEERS, INC.
Region: 4
City: MARTINEZ State: CA
County:
License #: 3691-07
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KENT PRENDERGAST
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN | Notification Date: 02/16/2012
Notification Time: 18:03 [ET]
Event Date: 02/15/2012
Event Time: [PST]
Last Update Date: 02/16/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
GEOFFREY MILLER (R4DO)
ADELAIDE GIANTELLI (FSME)
ILTAB via email ()
MEXICO via fax ()
|
| This material event contains a "Category 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT INVOLVING A STOLEN MOISURE DENSITY GAUGE
The following information was received from the State of California via email:
"On 02/16/12, the RSO at Testing Engineers (TE) contacted the RHB [Radiological Health Branch] reception desk to report a stolen gauge. She reported that an employee had his truck stolen which also contained his nuclear gauge. The gauge a CPN MC1, S/N MD 20206438 containing 10 mCi of Cs-137 and 50 mCi of Am-241 was stolen yesterday (02/15/12) between 1:00 to 4:15 pm [PST] in a parking lot near the employee's residence . . . [in] Fremont, CA. The gauge was stored inside of its transportation case and placed in the back of the truck with the bed cover locked in place. The transport case was secured with a cable attached to the bed of the truck. The gauge user found the truck stolen around 4:15 pm [PST]. The incident was reported to the Fremont police at that time. The gauge user failed to notify the RSO of the stolen gauge until the following day (02/16/12) [in the] morning.
"On 02/16/12, The TE [Testing Engineers, Inc.] RSO also notified this incident to Operations Emergency Center (report # 120902) and the NRC.
"5010 Number (Date Notified): 021612"
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 |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 47673 | Facility: MCGUIRE
Region: 2 State: NC
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: RICHARD ELLIOT
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 02/17/2012
Notification Time: 14:04 [ET]
Event Date: 02/17/2012
Event Time: 13:05 [EST]
Last Update Date: 02/17/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
BINOY DESAI (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 | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text OFFSITE NOTIFICATION OF WASTE WATER POND TOXICITY LEVELS EXCEEDING LIMITS
"On 02/17/12, McGuire Environmental Management notified the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources located in Mooresville, NC of a failed toxicity test on our waste water discharge point 002 (WC Pond). This test is required quarterly by our NPDES (wastewater) Permit.
"Discharge was stopped yesterday (02/16/12) afternoon and we are currently pulling toxicity tests on the WC Pond and Initial Holdup Pond to determine if we still have toxicity. No WC Pond release will occur until toxicity results are known to be within acceptable limits."
The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 47677 | Facility: HATCH
Region: 2 State: GA
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: DANIEL A. KOMM
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN | Notification Date: 02/18/2012
Notification Time: 16:25 [ET]
Event Date: 02/18/2012
Event Time: 08:36 [EST]
Last Update Date: 02/19/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
BINOY DESAI (R2DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | N | 0 | Refueling | 0 | Refueling | Event Text LOSS OF SPDS AND ERDS DUE TO HARD DRIVE FAILURE
"At approximately 0836 hours [EST] on Feb. 18, 2012, the Unit 1 Safety Parameter Display System (SPDS) became non-functional, and therefore was not available in the Control Room or in the emergency response facilities. Efforts are underway to restore the system. The loss of SPDS and ERDS is being reported in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii). Troubleshooting efforts continue to restore the SPDS. The station remains capable of performing dose assessment using manual inputs per site procedures. The Control Room also continues to have the capability to retrieve plant data inputs to assess plant conditions and perform core damage assessments.
"The NRC Senior Resident Inspector has been notified."
* * * UPDATE FROM DANIEL KOMM TO JOE O'HARA AT 0751 ON 2/19/12 * * *
"As of 0715 EST on 2/19/12, the Hatch Unit 1 SPDS and ERDS systems have been returned to functional status and are providing plant information. The ERDS system is capable of transmitting data to the NRC if required during an event."
The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified.
Notified R2DO(Desai) |
| !!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!! | | Power Reactor | Event Number: 47678 | Facility: HATCH
Region: 2 State: GA
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: FRANK GORLEY
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE | Notification Date: 02/19/2012
Notification Time: 03:36 [ET]
Event Date: 02/19/2012
Event Time: 01:01 [EST]
Last Update Date: 02/19/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xii) - OFFSITE MEDICAL
| Person (Organization):
BINOY DESAI (R2DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | N | 0 | Refueling | 0 | Refueling | Event Text TRANSPORTING OFF-SITE OF AN INJURED AND POTENTIALLY CONTAMINATED INDIVIDUAL
At 0025 EST, on 02/19/12, a Williams contractor (carpenter) slipped in a puddle of water and fell backwards striking his head and back on the floor of the Turbine building. At 0030 EST, the Shift Manager requested on-site First Responders to report to the scene of the accident. The individual was assessed by Williams safety personnel and SNC First Responders and then packaged for long spine immobilization. At 0101 EST the Shift manager requested Appling County 911 to transport the injured and potentially contaminated individual to Appling County Hospital for evaluation. At 0307 EST, the injured individual was surveyed and found not to be contaminated.
The licensee will be notifying the NRC Resident Inspector.
* * * UPDATE AT 1704 EST ON 02/19/12 FROM DANIEL KOMM TO S. SANDIN * * *
The licensee is retracting this report based on the following:
"This notification of retraction is being made based on additional information provided by the Health Physics personnel that accompanied the individual to the hospital. Surveys were taken of the individual and clothing and there was no contamination present. Based on the unknown status of individual and clothing upon leaving the site, a notification was initially made as potentially contaminated. Based on the final information obtained at the hospital of no contamination present, the transport of this injured individual to the local hospital does not meet the reporting requirements of 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(xii) and is being retracted. The injured individual was assessed by medical staff and was released back to work without restrictions."
The licensee informed the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R2DO (Desai). |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 47679 | Facility: GRAND GULF
Region: 4 State: MS
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-6
NRC Notified By: FRANK WEAVER
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN | Notification Date: 02/19/2012
Notification Time: 22:00 [ET]
Event Date: 02/19/2012
Event Time: 19:04 [CST]
Last Update Date: 02/19/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL
50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) - VALID SPECIF SYS ACTUATION
| Person (Organization):
GEOFFREY MILLER (R4DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | M/R | Y | 23 | Power Operation | 0 | Hot Shutdown | Event Text MANUAL REACTOR SCRAM DURING SHUTDOWN DUE TO LOWERING REACTOR VESSEL WATER LEVEL (RVWL)
"On 2/19/2012 at 1904 hrs [CST] the reactor was manually scrammed from approximately 23% core thermal power due to lowering reactor water level. All control rods fully inserted and all systems actuated and operated as designed. The Reactor Core Isolation Cooling System was manually initiated to assist in level control. No safety relief valves actuated. Reactor level and pressure are currently being controlled within normal bands. Group 2 and 3 RHR Isolation signals were received, however no valve movement occurred since the affected valves are normally closed.
"This event is reportable under 10CFR50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) for the reactor trip and 50.72(b)(iv)(A) for the manual start of the core isolation cooling system."
The lowest Reactor Vessel Water Level [RVWL] observed was -38 inches WR [Wide Range]. RVWL was restored by placing the "A" Reactor Feed Pump [RFP] in service. The "B" RFP which had been operating was secured for troubleshooting. The Unit was in the process of shutting down for its scheduled Refueling Outage #18.
The NRC Resident Inspector was in the control room at the time of the transient. | |