| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
06/15/2012 - 06/18/2012 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | Agreement State | Event Number: 47933 | Rep Org: ND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: MIDWEST INDUSTRIAL X-RAY, INC
Region: 4
City: DICKENSON State: ND
County:
License #: 33-14907-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: LEWIS VIGEN
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ | Notification Date: 05/18/2012
Notification Time: 10:19 [ET]
Event Date: 05/16/2012
Event Time: [MDT]
Last Update Date: 06/15/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
DALE POWERS (R4DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - RADIOGRAPHY CAMERA CRANKOUT GEARS LOCKED WITH SOURCE EXPOSED
"On Wednesday May 16, 2012 at 1900 MDT, two Midwest Industrial X-Ray, Inc. radiographers had a reportable incident involving a radioactive material exposure device. The exposure device involved was a SPEC 150 SN:386 loaded with an Ir-192 sealed source model G-60 SN: TC1301. The activity level on 5/16/12 was 56 Ci (2072 GBqs). A SPEC Double Gear Control Assembly with red conduit was used for the drive cable.
"The radiographers had made previous exposures during the day without incurring any equipment malfunction. At approximately 1900, the radiographers had 'cranked out' the source to make an exposure and upon retraction were unable to retract the source. The radiographers removed the cover plate of the control assembly and manually pulled the drive cables in order to retract the source back into the locked and shielded position. The sealed source was exposed for approximately 3 minutes. Caution Radiation Area cones were posted at 95 ft. from the source and no persons were inside the 2mR/hr zone. The drive cable was disconnected and no further exposures were made that day. The exposure device was inspected and was found to be in good working condition.
"Corrective Actions: A set of SPEC single gear control assembly, yellow conduit drive cables were brought to the radiographers to replace the malfunctioning drive cables. The set of malfunctioning drive cables will be sent back to SPEC and traded in for a set of single gear control assembly/yellow conduit drive cables."
* * * UPDATE FROM STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA VIA EMAIL AT 1046 EDT ON 6/15/12 * * *
Source Production & Equipment Company (SPEC) was unable to replicate the failure using the returned gears. They did note that the gears offered a large amount of resistance, had impurities and that the drive cable was out-of-tolerance.
Notified R4DO (Lantz) and FSME Events via email. |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 48003 | Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY-SACRAMENTO
Region: 4
City: SACRAMENTO State: CA
County: SACRAMENTO
License #: 0703-34
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KEN FUREY
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO | Notification Date: 06/07/2012
Notification Time: 14:18 [ET]
Event Date: 05/07/2012
Event Time: [PDT]
Last Update Date: 06/07/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
HEATHER GEPFORD (R4DO)
FSME VIA EMAIL ()
MEXICO VIA FAX ()
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST TRITIUM SIGNS
The following information was received by facsimile:
"A biannual tritium sign inspection during the week of 5/7/2012 disclosed four tritium signs had been removed during a renovation of Mendocine Hall during the third week of January 2012 by the contractor. All attempts to locate the signs have been exhausted.
"The missing signs are as follows:
Serial # 263374 Model # BX1711OWHSGN 7.5 curies
Serial # 263373 Model # BX1711OWHSGN 7.5 curies
Serial # 263387 Model # BX1711OWHSGN 7.5 curies
Serial # 263388 Model # BX1711OWHSGN 7.5 curies
"Date of manufacture for all signs is 5/2/2004."
California 5010 Number: 060712
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: 48008 | Rep Org: MISSISSIPPI DIV OF RAD HEALTH
Licensee: E.I. DUPONT DE NEMOURS & COMPANY
Region: 4
City: PASS CHRISTIAN State: MS
County:
License #: MS-409-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JAYSON MOAK
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO | Notification Date: 06/08/2012
Notification Time: 18:23 [ET]
Event Date: 05/10/2012
Event Time: 12:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 06/08/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
HEATHER GEPFORD (R4DO)
FSME VIA EMAIL ()
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - SOURCE SHUTTER NOT FULLY CLOSING
The following information was received by e-mail:
"Licensee notified DRH [Mississippi Department of Radiological Health] about a Ronan X92 Continuous Level Gauge, Serial No. 9479GG with source Holder Model SA1-F37. Licensee suspects the source shutter may not be closing 100% due to elevated readings of 7 mR/hr with the shutter in the closed position."
Mississippi Incident Number: MS-12002
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
Note: This device is assigned an IAEA Category 3 value based on the actual radioactivity of the source, not on the device type. (Reference IAEA RG-G-1.9) |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 48028 | Rep Org: VIRGINIA RAD MATERIALS PROGRAM
Licensee: HONEYWELL RESINS & CHEMICALS
Region: 1
City: CHESTER State: VA
County:
License #: 041-344-2
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: CHARLES COLEMAN
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER | Notification Date: 06/15/2012
Notification Time: 11:44 [ET]
Event Date: 06/15/2012
Event Time: [EDT]
Last Update Date: 06/15/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
HAROLD GRAY (R1DO)
FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (EMAI)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - FIXED GAUGE SHUTTER FAILURE
The Commonwealth of Virginia submitted the following report via facsimile:
"On June 14, 2012 the licensee reported that the shutter of one of its fixed gauges could not be closed as designed. The gauge is a Ronan Model SA-1 used on a process vessel as a level indicator. It contains a 438 millicurie (decay corrected) cesium-137 source. The problem was discovered during a routine test of the shutter mechanism. The individual who performed the test indicated that forcing the shutter closed, if possible, could damage the control mechanism. The gauge is normally in the open position during operations and the licensee has take extra steps to ensure no entry into the vessel. Ronan Engineering Company, the gauge manufacturer, has been contacted by the licensee and has scheduled a site visit during the week of June 18, 2012."
VA Event Report ID: VA-12-002
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 |
| Non-Agreement State | Event Number: 48029 | Rep Org: HOOSIER ENERGY
Licensee: HOOSIER ENERGY
Region: 3
City: SULLIVAN State: IN
County:
License #: 13-18945-01
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JACQUELYN BUSH
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN | Notification Date: 06/15/2012
Notification Time: 15:19 [ET]
Event Date: 06/15/2012
Event Time: [EDT]
Last Update Date: 06/15/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
30.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE
| Person (Organization):
BILLY DICKSON (R3DO)
FSME EVENT RESOURCE (EMAI)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text FIXED NUCLEAR GAUGE FELL FROM MOUNTING BRACKET DUE TO RUSTED THROUGH MOUNTING BOLTS
On the morning of 6/15/12, a fixed level monitoring gauge at the licensee's Merom Generating Station (coal fired facility), fell from its mounting bracket into a cable tray. The gauge, a Kay-Ray Model 7062P, S/N 9242Q, containing an estimated 50 mCi Cs-137 source (original activity - 100 mCi approx. 30 years ago) was not in service at the time, i.e., its shutter was closed, did not result in any personnel exposures. The licensee intends to have the instrument reinstalled using an outside contractor licensed to perform the work.
The licensee contacted R3DO (Dickson).
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: 48030 | Facility: OCONEE
Region: 2 State: SC
Unit: [1] [2] [3]
RX Type: [1] B&W-L-LP,[2] B&W-L-LP,[3] B&W-L-LP
NRC Notified By: COREY GRAY
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER | Notification Date: 06/15/2012
Notification Time: 16:00 [ET]
Event Date: 04/22/2012
Event Time: 19:58 [EST]
Last Update Date: 06/15/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.73(a)(1) - INVALID SPECIF SYSTEM ACTUATION
| Person (Organization):
DAVID AYRES (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 | | 3 | N | N | 0 | Refueling | 0 | Refueling | Event Text KEOWEE HYDRO POWER STATION AUTOMATICALLY STARTED BASED ON AN INVALID SIGNAL
"At 1958 [EDT] on 4/22/2012, Oconee emergency power (Keowee Hydro Station Units 1 and 2) automatically started based upon an invalid signal. In progress at the time was the Unit 3 Keowee Emergency Start Channel B Isolations section of the Unit 3 Engineered Safety Features Actuation System Replacement Modification procedure. A step in this procedure provided direction for a jumper to be connected between links B-13 and B-14. However, this jumper was placed between links A-13 and A-14, which caused the start of the Keowee units. During the period the jumpers were inadvertently installed, the Keowee units remained operable and available to supply emergency power to Units 1, 2, and/or 3. Both Keowee units were shutdown from the inadvertent emergency start actuation and the emergency start signal was reset per procedure at 0156 [EDT] hours on 4/23/2012.
"The cause for the misplaced jumper was determined to be a human performance error by the technicians.
"As required per NUREG 1022, Rev.2 the following information is provided:
"(a) The specific train(s) and system(s) that were actuated: In this event, both Keowee Hydro Units 1 and 2 actuated because of the emergency start signal being generated by Channel A.
"(b) Whether each train actuation was complete or partial: The automatic actuation of the Keowee units was completed.
"(c) Whether or not the system started and functioned successfully: No problems or issues were identified with the performance of the Keowee Hydro Units in response to the emergency start.
"Therefore this condition is being reported for Oconee 1, 2, and 3 as an invalid actuation under 10 CFR 50.73 (a)(2)(iv)(A), which allows NRC notification via telephone per 10 CFR 50.73(a)(1).
"Corrective Actions:
"- Work was stopped on the Unit 3 Engineered Safety Features Actuation System Replacement Modification procedure;
"- Immediate investigation was conducted to determine the impact of the jumper activity as well as development of a recovery plan; and
"- The jumper was removed from links A-13 and A-14 and the Keowee units were shutdown."
The NRC Resident Inspector was informed. |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 48031 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: NUCOR STEEL TEXAS DIVISION
Region: 4
City: JEWETT State: TX
County:
License #: 02504
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ART TUCKER
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN | Notification Date: 06/15/2012
Notification Time: 17:37 [ET]
Event Date: 06/14/2012
Event Time: 09:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 06/15/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
RYAN LANTZ (R4DO)
FSME EVENT RESOURCE (EMAI)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT INVOLVING FIVE DAMAGED NUCLEAR GAUGE HOUSINGS
The following information was provided by the State of Texas via email:
"On June 15, 2012, the Agency [Texas Dept. of Health] was notified by a licensee that the shutters on five Berthold Technologies Model LB300ML nuclear gauges were stuck in the open position. Open is the normal operating position for the shutters. The sources were manufactured in December of 2011 and each contained an original activity of 4.0 millicuries of cobalt - 60. The licensee was not able to provide serial numbers for the gauges or sources. The gauges are used in a steel mold and protected inside of the mold housing. An electrical power failure at the facility caused molten steel to pour on the gauge protective housing and leak into the area around the gauges. The licensee contacted a service provider who inspected the gauges on June 15, 2012. The service provider stated that the shutters would not operate, but the sources did not appear to be affected. The licensee stated that there was no increased risk of exposure to their workers due to the failed shutters. The licensee stated that the sources would be leak tested on June 15, 2012. The licensee intends to replace the gauge housing and reuse the sources from the gauges. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA 300."
Texas Incident No.: I-8960
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
Note: This device is assigned an IAEA Category 3 value based on the actual radioactivity of the source, not on the device type. (Reference IAEA RG-G-1.9) |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 48032 | Facility: BRUNSWICK
Region: 2 State: NC
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: STUART BYRD
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER | Notification Date: 06/17/2012
Notification Time: 13:13 [ET]
Event Date: 06/17/2012
Event Time: 13:30 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 06/17/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
DAVID AYRES (R2DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 63 | Power Operation | 63 | Power Operation | | 2 | N | Y | 98 | Power Operation | 98 | Power Operation | Event Text PLANNED OUTAGE OF ERFIS, SPDS, ERDS, AND PPC
"On June 17, 2012, at approximately 1400 hours EDT, the Brunswick Nuclear Plant will be restoring the normal power supply configuration to the Emergency Response Facility Information System (ERFIS) uninterruptable power supply electrical bus 'A.' This will result in a temporary loss of the site ERFIS, Safety Parameter Display System (SPDS), Emergency Response Data System (ERDS), and Plant Process Computer (PPC) functions for both Unit 1 and Unit 2. Brunswick Units 1 and 2 had established an alternate power supply to the ERFIS UPS electrical bus 'A' on June 13, 2012 (i.e., EN 48019).
"During the loss of these functions, manual data transfer will be available to the NRC.
"This event is being reported in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii), for a loss of emergency preparedness capability. A follow-up notification will be made when the ERFIS, SPDS, ERDS, and PPC functions are restored.
"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified of these actions."
* * * UPDATE FROM STUART BYRD TO PETE SNYDER AT 1757 EDT ON 6/17/12 * * *
Units 1 and 2 ERFIS, SPDS and ERDS have been returned to service. The PPC is expected to be returned to service at approximately 1900 EDT.
The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R2DO (Ayers). | |