| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
02/24/2012 - 02/27/2012 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | Agreement State | Event Number: 47676 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: METCO
Region: 4
City: HOUSTON State: TX
County:
License #: 03018
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ART TUCKER
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN | Notification Date: 02/17/2012
Notification Time: 16:21 [ET]
Event Date: 02/17/2012
Event Time: [CST]
Last Update Date: 02/24/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
GEOFFREY MILLER (R4DO)
ADELAIDE GIANTELLI (FSME)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME)
CINDY JONES (NSIR)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT INVOLVING POTENTIAL RADIOGRAPHER OVEREXPOSURE
The following information was received from the State of Texas via email:
"On February 17, 2011, the Agency [State of Texas] was notified by the licensee of an overexposure event involving one of their radiographers. The radiographer was working in a shooting bay at the licensee's facility using a QSA D880 radiography camera serial number D7293 containing a 37 curie iridium 192 source. The radiographer entered the shooting bay to setup for their next shoot. They stated that they carried their dose rate meter with them but did not pay attention to the reading. The radiographer completed the setup and left the shooting bay. The radiographer attempted to crank the source out, but discovered that the source was already cranked fully out. The radiographer cranked the source back to the fully shielded position and notified their Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) of the event. The RSO questioned the radiographer and found that the radiographer had spent approximately 3 minutes within 10 inches of the source, and about 3 minutes at 3 feet from the source during the setup. Initial calculations by the licensee indicated that the radiographer may have received as much as 20 rem TEDE from the event. The RSO stated that the radiographer did not have to relocate the source to perform the shot so they do not believe there is any extremity dose involved. The RSO also stated that the electrical breaker that supplied power to the shooting bay had been opened therefore the alarm did not function. The RSO stated that they were going to review security video to determine who opened the breaker. The radiographer has been removed from all work involving exposure to radiation and their personal monitoring device will be sent to the licensee's processor. The Agency provided contact information for the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site to the RSO. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."
Texas Incident #: I-8934
* * * UPDATE FROM ART TUCKER (VIA EMAIL) TO HOWIE CROUCH @ 1727 EST ON 2/24/12 * * *
"On February 24, 2012, the licensee reported that after two reenactments of the event, the licensee now believes that the total exposure time to the radiographer to be 2 minutes and 30 seconds. The licensee was also able to use the radiographer's cell phone records as the radiographer was talking on their phone while setting up the shot. The distance for the radiographers TEDE dose was determined to be 12 inches. The licensee now estimates that the TEDE dose for the radiographer was 8.1 rem.
"The radiographer has provided three blood samples for evaluation. All three samples were determined to be normal. The radiographer's doctor is consulting with [name redacted] REAC/TS. Additional blood samples are scheduled in the future.
"The licensee determined that the power breaker to the alarming area radiation monitor was opened by a coworker who believed the breaker only supplied power to a ventilation fan. The operation of the alarm had been verified at the beginning of the start of that shift."
Notified R4DO (Deese) and FSME EO (O'Sullivan). |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 47680 | Rep Org: IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Licensee: AGRI-INDUSTRIAL PLASTICS COMPANY
Region: 3
City: FAIRFIELD State: IA
County:
License #: 3111151SEM
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: RANDAL DAHLIN
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE | Notification Date: 02/21/2012
Notification Time: 09:13 [ET]
Event Date: 11/30/2011
Event Time: [CST]
Last Update Date: 02/21/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
DAVE PASSEHL (R3DO)
DARYL JOHNSON (ILTA)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOSS OF ONE STATIC ELIMINATOR
The following information was received from the State of Iowa via email:
"Agri-Industrial Plastics Company, a general license registrant, reported the loss of one static eliminator, NRD model P-2021-8201, serial number A2HL930, containing 10 millicuries of Polonium-210. The device was used to eliminate static on plastic particles from the trimming of plastic parts. The device was last used on November 30, 2011. The registrant has spent several hours looking for the device. The registrant will be eliminating all remaining static eliminators and returning them to the manufacturer.
"Source/Radioactive Material: Sealed source ionizing
Manufacturer: NRD, INC.
Model Number: P-2021-8201
Serial Number: A2HL930
Radionuclide: PO-210, .010 Ci, 0.37 GBq
"Device Name: Static elimination device
Manufacturer: NRD, INC.
Model Number: P-2021-8201
Serial Number: A2HL930"
The state indicated the cause of the loss was due to inattention to detail.
Iowa Event Number IA120002
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: 47688 | Facility: PALO VERDE
Region: 4 State: AZ
Unit: [1] [2] [3]
RX Type: [1] CE,[2] CE,[3] CE
NRC Notified By: ALLAN BRIESE
HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL | Notification Date: 02/23/2012
Notification Time: 00:45 [ET]
Event Date: 02/22/2012
Event Time: 18:45 [MST]
Last Update Date: 02/24/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
RICK DEESE (R4DO)
|
| 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 | | 3 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE DISCOVERED ON SITE
"The following event description is based on information currently available. If through subsequent reviews of this event additional information is identified that is pertinent to this event or alters the information being provided at this time a follow-up notification will be made via the ENS or under the reporting requirements of 10CFR50.73
"At 1852 hours, Palo Verde Unit 1 was notified of a suspicious package located in the Owner Controlled Area outside the Protected Area. Maricopa County Sheriff's Office was contacted for assistance with a bomb disposal unit. Local media has become aware of this event and expressed interest by dispatching helicopters and television crews.
"There are no safety systems impacted by the package and operations personnel are not hampered in their ability to operate safety related equipment. There is no release of radioactivity to the environment as a result of this package and it has not adversely affected the safe operation of the plant or health and safety of the public. All three Palo Verde units are being maintained stable at approximately 100% power.
"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."
* * * UPDATE FROM DELBERT ELKINTON TO VINCE KLCO ON 2/24/12 AT 1619 EST * * *
"The Maricopa County Sherriff's Office bomb disposal unit responded and inspected the package. The suspicious package contained a granular absorbent material, similar to that used to clean liquid spills. The event was terminated at 23:02 AZ MST [on 2/22/12]. The NRC Resident Inspector has been updated."
Notified the R4DO (Deese). |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 47696 | Facility: FORT CALHOUN
Region: 4 State: NE
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: (1) CE
NRC Notified By: DAVID SPARGO
HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL | Notification Date: 02/24/2012
Notification Time: 04:24 [ET]
Event Date: 02/23/2012
Event Time: 22:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 02/24/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
RICK DEESE (R4DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | N | 0 | Cold Shutdown | 0 | Cold Shutdown | Event Text LOSS OF 21 OUT OF 101 EMERGENCY SIRENS
"Communications has been lost to 21 sirens out of 101. The loss of communications does not allow the activation of the sirens. Almost all of Harrison County and Pottawattamie County in Iowa are without communications to the sirens. There are compensatory measures in place to ensure notification by local law enforcement in case of an actual emergency to inform the public in these areas.
"This is being reported per 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(xiii) for 'Any event that results in a major loss of emergency assessment capability, off site response capability, or communications capability'.
"An attempt is being made to reboot the siren's communication system in order to restore the sirens. During the reboot, sirens in Washington County, Nebraska, will also lose communications and therefore will not be functional. Local Law Enforcement has been notified in Washington County to perform compensatory measures in case of an emergency."
The NRC Resident Inspector has been informed.
* * * UPDATE FROM DAVID SPARGO TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 0621 EST ON 2/24/2012 * * *
"As of 0518 CST, communications has been reestablished and all sirens were returned to service."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident inspector.
Notified R4DO (Deese). |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 47697 | Facility: BRUNSWICK
Region: 2 State: NC
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: STEWART BYRD
HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL | Notification Date: 02/24/2012
Notification Time: 07:42 [ET]
Event Date: 02/24/2012
Event Time: 00:37 [EST]
Last Update Date: 02/24/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) - VALID SPECIF SYS ACTUATION
| Person (Organization):
MIKE ERNSTES (R2DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | A | N | 0 | Cold Shutdown | 0 | Cold Shutdown | Event Text VALID REACTOR PROTECTION SYSTEM ACTUATION DURING NEUTRON INSTRUMENT TESTING
"On 2/24/2012 at 0037 EST, Unit 1 was in Mode 4 when an unplanned Reactor Protection System (RPS) actuation occurred. The trip occurred while operators were returning the Mode Switch to the 'Shutdown' position during restoration from Neutron Instrumentation testing. Jumpers had not been installed to bypass this actuation signal at the time the Mode Switch was operated, resulting in a valid signal of the RPS.
"The RPS actuation is reportable in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A).
"The safety significance of this event was minimal. Plant equipment performed as expected. All control rods were inserted prior to the RPS actuation and remain inserted.
"The RPS actuation was reset and the plant remains in Mode 4."
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 47699 | Facility: CALVERT CLIFFS
Region: 1 State: MD
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] CE,[2] CE
NRC Notified By: KENT MILLS
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO | Notification Date: 02/26/2012
Notification Time: 20:15 [ET]
Event Date: 02/26/2012
Event Time: 15:46 [EST]
Last Update Date: 02/26/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
MEL GRAY (R1DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | N | 0 | Refueling | 0 | Refueling | | 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text LOSS OF PLANT ASSESSMENT CAPABILITIES DUE TO AN OUT OF SERVICE PLANT PROCESS COMPUTER
"Calvert Cliffs will be performing planned maintenance to the U-1 Plant Process Computer to install isolation transformers. This maintenance window was expected to start at 2100 [EST] today, 2/26/2012, but the U-1 Plant Process Computer failed at 1546 this afternoon and it was decided to commence the planned maintenance window at that time versus spending resources to attempt recovery of the computer for just a short time period. The planned maintenance window is expected to be 54 hours long and end February 28, around 2300. This will impact the Unit 1 data dissemination to the Safety Parameter Display System (SPDS), TSC Computer. PI [Plant Trending Software] and ERDS will also be out of service for both Unit-1 and Unit-2. Should an emergency be declared during this period, the Control Room will continue to have the capability to retrieve plant data inputs to assess plant conditions and perform core damage assessment. Control Room Emergency Response Organization personnel will use backup methods already captured in emergency response procedures to disseminate plant parameter data to the effected Emergency Response Facilities and NRC during the plant data network outage. MIDAS (Meteorological Data) will continue to be operational at the site.
"Applicable Reporting Requirement: 10 CFR 50.72 (b) (3) (xiii); 8 Hour report."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. | |