| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
06/20/2012 - 06/21/2012 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | Non-Agreement State | Event Number: 48015 | Rep Org: CARIBBEAN MARINE CONTRACTORS, CORP
Licensee: CARIBBEAN MARINE CONTRACTORS, CORP
Region: 1
City: TRUJILLO ALTO State: PR
County:
License #:
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ALFONSO DIAZ
HQ OPS Officer: DONG HWA PARK | Notification Date: 06/12/2012
Notification Time: 08:33 [ET]
Event Date: 06/05/2012
Event Time: [EDT]
Last Update Date: 06/12/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
20.2201(a)(1)(ii) - LOST/STOLEN LNM>10X
| Person (Organization):
HAROLD GRAY (R1DO)
DARYL JOHNSON (ILTA)
FSME Events Resource ()
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text PREVIOUSLY STOLEN SOURCE HOLDER LOCATED IN A SCRAP YARD
The following information was received by facsimile:
"On June 5, 2012, US NRC Region I communicated with [Caribbean Marine Contractors, Corp] to notify that Ronan Measurement RLL-1 SN #206762A registered on behalf of Caribbean Marine Contractors had been found in a scrap yard in Taiwan. Immediately, we started doing our investigations to verify whether the RLL-1 found in Taiwan was ours. We proceeded to look in our storage container for the RLL-1. Noticing the absence of RLL-1, we talked to company personnel who regularly entered the storage container and everyone questioned arrived at this conclusion.
"Approximately two years ago, Caribbean Marine was doing work of dredging in the town of Guayama, PR. We stopped the work of dredging and we were doing preventive maintenance to the marine equipment (washing with fresh water, removing rust, paint, etc.). [A manager] who at that time was in charge of the project gave the order to take the RLL-1 that was not working out of the dredge and store it in the storage container of the project. Weeks later, thieves broke in the container and stole the metals that were inside. Usually metals lead them to recycling centers and sold by weight. These recycling centers in turn sold the material to Taiwan or India. That [is the] way we understand that you found the RLL-1 #206762A in Taiwan.
"The Ronan ultra-low level series of source holders (RLL) use very small quantities of radioactive materials. The RLL-1 is permitted to contain to a maximum of 900 microCuries of cesium-137 or 200 microCuries cobalt-60. The radioactive material is completely encapsulated in a stainless steel capsule, which is then heli-arc or laser welded closed. Due to high structural integrity, these source capsules qualify as special material form; virtually eliminating the possibility of the spread of radioactive contaminant. The sealed capsules are loaded into the RLL-1 device. This is a stainless steel tube that is welded shut at both ends and installed inside a shielded, steel housing. The general licensee is not permitted to repair, modify, or otherwise tamper with the device or its shielding. The combination of high structural integrity and low source quantity permits the general licensee to install and commission the device without special training or certification. The general licensee is required to install and operate the gage in accordance with the instructions provided by Ronan Engineering. The RLL-1 device is not required to be wipe tested and there is no shutter or moving parts that have to be periodically inspected or maintained. Important Exception The RLL-1 device is required to be tested every three years if it contains a single wipe capsule in excess of 100 microCuries. If a leak test is required, to stainless steel tag will be permanently affixed to the device stating. 'Leak Test Required'.
"Iso distance curves are provided in this manual for various applications as specified in the table below:
Application Drawing Number
Weight Gages C-16307-K and C-16310-K
Continuous Level Gages B-16306-K and C-16309-K
Density / Point Level Gages B-16305-K and B-16308-K
"These curves indicate that the maximum dose rate, at one foot, from any device is less than 0.5 mR/h. Most of these devices require (as a conservative estimate) less than 1 hour of handling to install. Based upon these low dose rates and the short period of time required for handling/installation it is unlikely that any personnel would receive a significant exposure. In fact, it can be safely assumed that working personnel will receive considerably less than 10 percent (10%) of the dose limits specified in column IV of 10 CFR 32.24, for the appropriate organs, and less than ten percent of the dose limits specified in 10 CFR 20.1201(a)."
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
THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "NOT RECORDED" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 48017 | Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: UC BERKELEY
Region: 4
City: BERKELEY State: CA
County:
License #: 1330-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KENT PENDERGAST
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ | Notification Date: 06/12/2012
Notification Time: 14:49 [ET]
Event Date: 06/05/2012
Event Time: [PDT]
Last Update Date: 06/12/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
RYAN LANTZ (R4DO)
FSME (E-MAIL) ()
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LAB AREA CONTAMINATED
The following report was received via fax:
"On 06/06/12, the ARSO [Assistant Radiation Safety Officer] at UC Berkeley contacted the RHB [Radiological Health Branch] to report an event that occurred on 06/05/12. This event involved contamination caused by a Cs-137 source that is not a sealed source per manufacturer's statement. This source has a very thin window to permit transmission of betas. This source was used in a vacuum chamber and the contamination occurred and was detected when researchers were changing the flange. The licensee cordoned off a 6' x 10' area within a much larger lab. No floor contamination was detected, however, the bench and some equipment within the cordoned off area are still being cleaned. Access to this area was restricted for over 24 hours. The current activity of the source is 950 microCuries. Applying conservative assumptions to convert the detected contamination counts into activity, the licensee has come up with a total activity on the order of 10 microCuries (summed over the contaminated spots).
"The licensee notified the RHB within 24 hours, since the area was cordoned off for more than 24 hours, however, the activity detected is minimal per 30295(b)(1)(B) where the involved quantity is less than 5 times the lowest ALI specified in Appendix B 10 CFR 20 incorporated by reference in section 30253. Also, since this is not a sealed source, the reporting criteria for leakage of more than 0.005 microCuries does not apply. Based on these criteria, no reporting is required."
California incident: 060612
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 |
| Fuel Cycle Facility | Event Number: 48038 | 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: ERIC SIMPSON | Notification Date: 06/20/2012
Notification Time: 15:30 [ET]
Event Date: 06/19/2012
Event Time: 17:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 06/20/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
PART 70 APP A (b)(2) - LOSS OR DEGRADED SAFETY ITEMS
| Person (Organization):
ALAN BLAMEY (R2DO)
EARL EASTON (NMSS)
| Event Text DEGRADATION OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT
"It was discovered at approximately 1700 EDT on 6/19/2012 that the moderation control in the gadolinia pellet press operation had been degraded. An operator error allowed a can containing approximately 14 kg of uranium powder to be processed without the required material move transaction, a process control that ensures the container and material type are allowed at the designated location.
"This resulted in a temporary degraded item relied on for safety (IROFS) condition involving a criticality control. The press moderation control is one of four IROFS to prevent a criticality accident. The gadolinia press station material control system functioned as designed and prompted the operator of an error. The other criticality controls on geometry were maintained at all times.
"At no time was an unsafe condition present. The gadolinia pellet press operation has been shut down and additional corrective actions, extent of condition, and extent of cause are being evaluated.
"This event is being conservatively reported pursuant to 10 CFR 70, Appendix A (b) (2)." |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 48039 | Facility: TURKEY POINT
Region: 2 State: FL
Unit: [3] [4] [ ]
RX Type: [3] W-3-LP,[4] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: CHRISTOPHER TRENT
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD | Notification Date: 06/20/2012
Notification Time: 17:24 [ET]
Event Date: 06/20/2012
Event Time: 08:57 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 06/20/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
26.719 - FITNESS FOR DUTY
| Person (Organization):
ALAN BLAMEY (R2DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 3 | N | N | 0 | Refueling | 0 | Refueling | | 4 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text FITNESS FOR DUTY EVENT
A non-licensed contract employee supervisor had a confirmed positive for illegal drugs during a random fitness-for-duty test. The employee's access to the plant has been terminated. Contact the Headquarters Operations Officer for additional details. |
| Non-Agreement State | Event Number: 48040 | Rep Org: ACUREN INSPECTIONS
Licensee: ACUREN INSPECTIONS
Region: 4
City: NORTH SLOPE State: AK
County:
License #: 42-32443-01
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: GAYLE STATON
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE | Notification Date: 06/20/2012
Notification Time: 18:15 [ET]
Event Date: 05/20/2012
Event Time: [YDT]
Last Update Date: 06/20/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
20.2202(a)(1) - PERS OVEREXPOSURE/TEDE >= 25 REM
| Person (Organization):
GEOFFREY MILLER (R4DO)
BRIAN MCDERMOTT (FSME)
| Event Text POSSIBLE PERSONNEL OVEREXPOSURE GREATER THAN 25 REM
The RSO from the licensee's corporate headquarters called to report a possible overexposure of a radiographer working on the North Slope of Alaska. Landauer reported that for the month of May, an individual's badge read 144 Rem. | |