U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Operations Center Event Reports For 01/07/2013 - 01/08/2013 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** | Agreement State | Event Number: 48630 | Rep Org: LOUISIANA RADIATION PROTECTION DIV Licensee: PHILLIPS 66 Region: 4 City: WESTLAKE State: LA County: License #: LA-2149-L01 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: JOE NOBLE HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 12/28/2012 Notification Time: 15:26 [ET] Event Date: 11/09/2012 Event Time: [CST] Last Update Date: 12/28/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE | Person (Organization): HEATHER GEPFORD (R4DO) FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (E-MA) | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STUCK SHUTTER ON PROCESS GAUGE The following information was received from the Louisiana Department of Environment Quality via facsimile: "On 11/09/2012, the RSO for Phillips 66 called in a preliminary report about [stuck] shutters on fixed level gauges utilized in their processes in the chemical plant. There was no possible exposure to the plant workers because the gauges were still installed on a process [tank in a remote location] and the shutters remaining open was not a problem. . . . The gauges are Omart and Ronan Engineering devices. [A manufacturer service technician] was contacted to evaluate the source holders and determined which devices could be repaired and which ones needed to be replaced. All of the source holders, with the exception of two were able to be freed up for continual use. . . . Two source holders were damaged during the evaluation process. . . .These two sources in their holders will be replaced during the next turn-a-round to reduce down time. . . . The gauges have been in the elements for a prolonged period of time and the shutters malfunctioned due to corrosion in the mechanism of the source holder. All of the sources were evaluated and inspected . . .. The manufacturer's service tech stated that it appears the be from being in the elements. The manufacturer stated that they were looking into finding a modification to shield the shutter mechanism from the elements. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality considers this item closed and the records will be reviewed during the next inspection." The gauges involved are: 1) Omart SHLG2-45 2) Omart SR 2 3) Ronan SA1-F37 Louisiana Incident Number T145023 | Agreement State | Event Number: 48631 | Rep Org: LOUISIANA RADIATION PROTECTION DIV Licensee: BASF CORPORATION Region: 4 City: GEISMAR State: LA County: License #: LA-2304-L01 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: JOE NOBLE HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 12/28/2012 Notification Time: 15:14 [ET] Event Date: 11/27/2012 Event Time: [CST] Last Update Date: 12/28/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE | Person (Organization): HEATHER GEPFORD (R4DO) FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (E-MA) | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STUCK SHUTTER ON PROCESS GAUGE The following information was received from the Louisiana Department of Environment Quality via facsimile: "On 11/27/2012, the RSO for BASF called in a preliminary report about a shutter on a fixed level gauge utilized in their processes in the chemical plant. There is no possible exposure to the plant workers because the gauge [is] installed on a remote process [tank inaccessible by plant personnel] and, [consequently], the shutter remaining open and operating [should not be] a problem. . . . The gauge is a Berthold, model #LB-7440D loaded with 150 mCi of Cs-137. [A manufacturer service technician] has been contacted to repair the level gauge. The manufacturer's service tech stated that [the stuck shutter] appears [to be the result of exposure to] the elements. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality considers this item closed and the records will be reviewed during the next inspection." Louisianan Incident Number: T145017 | Agreement State | Event Number: 48632 | Rep Org: LOUISIANA RADIATION PROTECTION DIV Licensee: ROCK TENN CP, LLC Region: 4 City: HODGE State: LA County: License #: LA-2230-LO1 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: JOE NOBLE HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 12/28/2012 Notification Time: 15:24 [ET] Event Date: 11/01/2012 Event Time: [CST] Last Update Date: 12/28/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE | Person (Organization): HEATHER GEPFORD (R4DO) FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (E-MA) | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STUCK SHUTTER ON PROCESS GAUGE The following information was received from the Louisiana Department of Environment Quality via facsimile: "On 11/01/2012, the RSO for Rock Tenn called to report a stuck shutter on a [density] gauge utilized on a process [line] in the paper mill refinery. There was no possible exposure to the mill workers because the gauge is installed on a process [line in a remote location] and, [consequently,] the shutter remaining [open] is not a problem. The gauge is a Berthold, Model LB 7400 Series, loaded with a 50 mCi Cs-137 [source]. The gauge has been in the elements for a prolonged period of time and the shutter malfunctioned due to corrosion in the mechanism of the source holder. All of the sources were evaluated and inspected and only one needed repair. The manufacturer stated that it appeared to be from being in the elements. The manufacturer stated that they were looking into finding a modification to shield the shutter mechanism from the elements. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality considers this item closed." Louisiana Incident Number: T144358 | Agreement State | Event Number: 48633 | Rep Org: WA DIVISION OF RADIATION PROTECTION Licensee: PACIFIC NORTHWEST NATIONAL LABS Region: 4 City: RICHLAND State: WA County: License #: Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: SEAN MURPHY HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 12/28/2012 Notification Time: 17:27 [ET] Event Date: 12/04/2012 Event Time: [PST] Last Update Date: 12/28/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE | Person (Organization): HEATHER GEPFORD (R4DO) FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (E-MA) JACK GUTTMANN (NMSS) | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - OPEN TRANSPORT VEHICLE WITH RAD LEVELS EXCEEDING LIMITS The following information was received from the Washington State Division of Radiation Protection via e-mail: "A shipment of waste from the 325 building on the Hanford reservation, prepared for shipment by Pacific Northwest National Laboratories, was received at Perma-Fix Northwest waste (PFNW) -Richland. During the unloading evolution, PFNW noted that the dose rate on the bottom of 2 drums exceeded the manifested value, and one drum exceeded 200 mr/hr on contact. (See limits in 49CFR173.221 (b)). PFNW notified Washington Department of Health (WDOH). A [WDOH] inspector came to the site on December 6, 2012 and measured the dose rate with an Ludlum M-9 and measured 350 mr/hr. [WDOH] has routinely used an Eberline RO2 type of meter to determine compliance - this reading be taken again with an RO2. PFNW had an RO20 which measured 220 mr/hr. This is the reading that was used as the 'actual' dose rate. [WDOH] is attempting to get a measurement with an RO2. The dose rate value may change, as [WDOH] takes additional reading with other instruments after the new year. "The dose rate at the drivers area and the outside of the shipment vehicle were within the limits for transportation. No material was detected to have leaked from the containers. There is not expected overexposure caused by this incident. "Actions taken by State: Suspend all shipment to PFNW by PNNL "Sr90 (in drums with errant dose rates.) Total activity in 2 drums: 2.4 e 5 MBq." | Agreement State | Event Number: 48634 | Rep Org: WA DIVISION OF RADIATION PROTECTION Licensee: GE HEALTHCARE Region: 4 City: ARLINGTON HEIGHTS State: WA County: License #: Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: SEAN MURPHY HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 12/28/2012 Notification Time: 17:27 [ET] Event Date: 12/13/2012 Event Time: [PST] Last Update Date: 12/28/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE | Person (Organization): HEATHER GEPFORD (R4DO) FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (E-MA) JACK GUTTMANN (NMSS) | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - OPEN TRANSPORT VEHICLE WITH RAD LEVELS EXCEEDING LIMITS The following information was received from the Washington State Division of Radiation Protection via e-mail: "Shipment number GE-IL-120712-USEW arrived at the US Ecology waste site on the morning of December 11, 2012. The shipment manifest listed Zn-65 and Co60 as the isotopes. The material is NARM material. Total activity 3.02E6 MBq. Total volume 6.07 m3. Total weight 15,082 Kg. Waste class A- stable. The drums were accelerator targets from GE Healthcare in Illinois and New Jersey, loaded in boxes, which were again loaded in drums and cemented in place. The outer drums were DOT 7A containers. The entity signing the shippers certification on the manifest was GE Healthcare in Illinois. "US Ecology staff conducted surveys of the shipping vehicle, and reported to Washington State Department of Health that the dose rate on the bottom of the truck was greater than 200 mr/hr with a side wall GM detector. Washington State Department of Health inspector used an Eberline RO2 ion chamber to get a more accurate measurement, and found that the dose rate measured with the meter bottom flush with the bottom of the floor I beams was 250 mr/hr. "The shipment shifted in transportation, and was not braced to withstand conditions of normal transportation. The shipment contained drums strapped to small pallets. Upon inspecting the shipment, the drums were not tightly contained in the trailer, noted by gaps between the toe boards and the drums, loose straps in the rear of the drums, and large spaces between the load locks and the drums. The driver was asked if his trip was normal, without any abnormal stops, turns, stops or bumps, and he said it was a very smooth ride, all on interstate, but he picked the load up in Iowa after the 1st truck had mechanical issues. One large drum in the center of the shipment had lead shielding blankets underneath the pallet it was on, and this drum could be rocked back and forth a few inches, while it was still strapped in the truck. "A more detailed inspection of the packages occurred on the December 12th and 13th, including using the RO2 on the bottom of drums that exhibited higher than manifested dose rates. Two drums were found to have external, on contact dose rates of 1.5 R/hr. "One drum's lid was not correctly installed. While there was no evidence of leakage, nor did the lid come off, it was not properly installed. The shipment required the use of 7A containers. "One drum could not be correlated to the manifest, as there was a transposition error in the drum number. A call to the generator corrected the problem. "The dose rate at the drivers area and the outside of the shipment vehicle were within the limits for transportation. No material was detected to have leaked from the containers. There is no suspected overexposures caused by this incident." Washington State Report WA-12-081 | Power Reactor | Event Number: 48654 | Facility: FITZPATRICK Region: 1 State: NY Unit: [1] [ ] [ ] RX Type: [1] GE-4 NRC Notified By: DAVE RICHARDSON HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 01/07/2013 Notification Time: 14:59 [ET] Event Date: 01/08/2013 Event Time: 04:00 [EST] Last Update Date: 01/07/2013 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE | Person (Organization): CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT (R1DO) | Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text TECHNICAL SUPPORT CENTER VENTILATION WILL BE RENDERED NON-FUNCTIONAL FOR PLANNED MAINTENANCE "A planned work package (52232185-01) at the James A. FitzPatrick (JAF) Nuclear Power Plant will be performed for inspection and verification of 72AOD-171 (Admin Building Ventilation AHU-4 Fresh Air Supply Isolation Damper). The isolations necessary to perform this evolution will require tagging out 72AHU-4 (Admin Building Office Area Air Handling Unit) and breaking the boundary into the Technical Support Center (TSC) ventilation system. Therefore, the TSC ventilation system will be rendered non-functional during the duration of this work activity. The TSC ventilation is expected to be out of service for approximately 10 hours. "If an emergency is declared requiring TSC activation during this period, the TSC will be staffed and activated using existing emergency planning procedures unless the TSC becomes uninhabitable due to ambient temperature, radiological, or other conditions. If relocation of the TSC becomes necessary, the station Emergency Plant Manager will relocate the TSC staff to an alternate TSC location in accordance with applicable site procedures giving first consideration to the Control Room. TSC facility leads have been made aware of this contingency. "This notification Is being made in accordance with 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(xiii) due to the potential loss of an emergency response facility (ERF). An update will be provided once the TSC ventilation has been restored to normal operation. "The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified." | Power Reactor | Event Number: 48656 | Facility: COLUMBIA GENERATING STATION Region: 4 State: WA Unit: [2] [ ] [ ] RX Type: [2] GE-5 NRC Notified By: RYAN OAKES HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 01/07/2013 Notification Time: 19:29 [ET] Event Date: 01/07/2013 Event Time: 14:27 [PST] Last Update Date: 01/07/2013 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(3)(v)(C) - POT UNCNTRL RAD REL 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) - ACCIDENT MITIGATION | Person (Organization): VINCENT GADDY (R4DO) | Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text SECONDARY CONTAINMENT MOMENTARILY INOPERABLE "Technical Specification 3.6.4.1 (Secondary Containment) requires that the secondary containment be operable. Surveillance requirement 3.6.4.1.3 requires verifying each secondary containment access inner door or each secondary containment access outer door in each access opening is closed. "Maintenance personnel were moving scaffolding through Reactor Building outer security door (R-304) when an equipment operator opened inner door (R-305) to exit the Reactor Building. This resulted in both the Reactor Building inner and outer access doors being simultaneously open for a short duration. Normally, the doors are interlocked in which the inner door would not be able to be opened prior to the outer security door being closed. "The equipment operator immediately closed the door and notified the Main Control Room. The outer security door (R-304) has been key-locked closed, until corrective actions can be determined. "Columbia Generating Station is investigating why the interlock feature failed. "There were no radiological releases associated with this event. "No safety system actuations or isolations occurred." The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. Note: See similar event reported by licensee on 12/30/12, EN #48639, involving containment door interlock failure on doors R-204 and R-205. | |