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Event Notification Report for May 16, 2013

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

EVENT REPORTS FOR
05/15/2013 - 05/16/2013

EVENT NUMBERS
4904649042

Agreement State
Event Number: 49046
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: THERMO PROCESS INSTRUMENTS LP
Region: 4
City: SUGAR LAND   State: TX
County:
License #: 03524
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ART TUCKER
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER
Notification Date: 05/16/2013
Notification Time: 17:56 [ET]
Event Date: 05/16/2013
Event Time: 15:25 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 05/16/2013
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
WAYNE WALKER (R4DO)
FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (EMAI)
DAN SCHROEDER (R1DO)
Event Text
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - CONTAMINATION EVENT REQUIRES AREA TO BE RESTRICTED FOR GREATER THAN 24 HOURS

The following information was obtained from the State of Texas via E-mail:

"On May 16, 2013 at 1525 [CDT], the licensee contacted the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] to report a contamination event which required access to an area to be restricted for more than 24 hours due to an unplanned contamination event. The licensee had received a drum containing 18 nuclear gauges from a facility licensed in the State of North Carolina (NC). The Texas licensee was to dismantle the gauges and dispose of the sources. The Texas licensee stated the gauges had been leak tested by the NC licensee and the leak test results were below regulatory levels. The Texas licensee stated they performed a contamination survey of the drum before they began removing the gauges. A licensee's worker removed the first gauge in preparation to remove the source. The gauge was a Berthold model LB 7400 gauge containing a Cs-137 source. When the worker opened the shutter of the gauge to remove the source, they found a piece of lead inside the gauge cavity between the gauge shutter and the source. As the worker removed the piece of lead they noted the background radiation readings where increasing. The worker stopped work and notified his supervisor. A contamination survey found that the workers hands, shirt sleeves, the table top, the floor in the immediate work area, and the worker's personal dosimetry were contaminated. The workers contaminated shirt and dosimetry were removed and his hands were decontaminated. The worker's face was surveyed for contamination, none was detected. The licensee's Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) stated that worker was decontaminated within 15 minutes of the event occurring. The RSO stated that the individual had not exceeded any exposure limits based on their electronic dosimeter reading. The licensee attempted to decontaminate the table top and the floor in the work area, but some areas remain contaminated. Access to the area remains restricted. The Texas licensee has contacted the NC licensee and notified them of the event. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."

Texas Incident #: I-9080


Power Reactor
Event Number: 49042
Facility: MILLSTONE
Region: 1     State: CT
Unit: [] [2] []
RX Type: [1] GE-3,[2] CE,[3] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: MICHAEL WEISE
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER
Notification Date: 05/16/2013
Notification Time: 12:52 [ET]
Event Date: 05/16/2013
Event Time: 09:25 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 05/16/2013
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
Person (Organization):
DAN SCHROEDER (R1DO)
Power Reactor Unit Info
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
STACK RADIATION MONITOR OUT OF SERVICE FOR PLANNED MAINTENANCE

At 0925 EDT on 5/16/13, Stack Radiation Monitor RM-8169 was removed from service for pre-planned maintenance. There are no automatic actuations or initiations associated with this radiation monitor. The radiation monitor will be restored to service following completion of maintenance.

The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector and the state and local authorities.