| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
05/06/2014 - 05/07/2014 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | Agreement State | Event Number: 50064 | Rep Org: NE DIV OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
Licensee: ELEKTA, INC.
Region: 1
City: NORCROSS State: GA
County:
License #: GA 1153-2
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: HOWARD SHUMAN
HQ OPS Officer: DONG HWA PARK | Notification Date: 04/28/2014
Notification Time: 10:20 [ET]
Event Date: 04/24/2014
Event Time: [EDT]
Last Update Date: 04/28/2014 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
WILLIAM COOK (R1DO)
MARK HAIRE (R4DO)
FSME EVENTS RESOURSE (EMAI)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - FAILURE OF SOURCE TO RETRACT
The following information was received via E-mail:
"On the evening of April 24, 2014 Elekta, (Georgia license - GA 1153-2) working under a Nebraska reciprocity general license, was installing the initial source (9.98 curies of lr-192) into the new Flexitron unit at Saint Francis Medical Center (Nebraska Radioactive Material License # 08-09-01) in Grand Island, Nebraska. During the upload procedure, the source did not completely retract into the safe and became hung-up on the in-drive. The device gave an error stating the source was detached from the cable. Following the manufacturer's recommended emergency procedures, the engineer entered the room to investigate the issue and determined the source cable needed to be cut to remove it from the stuck source drive. The Field Service Engineer (FSE) then quickly cut the exposed source cable and, using pliers, manually inserted the source into the transport container. However, due to the fact that the source cable was short, he could not get it completely into the center of the shielded transport container. The exposure rate at one meter from the transport container was 200 mR/hour. The facility physicist and FSE insured the door to the treatment room was sealed and marked so no one could enter overnight.
"The following morning, April 25, 2014, work began to construct temporary shielding made of lead bricks on a trolley in order to transport the container to the facility hot lab. Additionally, arrangements were made with Elekta's source manufacturer to acquire a type A container of the proper size to house and ship the source transport container to their facility, thus removing it from St. Francis premises.
"Elekta's Radiation Safety Officer failed to notify the State of Nebraska Radioactive Material's Program in a timely manner. The incident occurred after business hours and Friday April 25, 2014 was a State holiday (Arbor Day). No call was made to the emergency call number for the State and the information was only obtained by the Nebraska Program Manager by a series of e-mails and a voicemail after 0800 CDT on Monday, April 28, 2014."
Item Number: NE14003 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 50065 | Rep Org: COLORADO DEPT OF HEALTH
Licensee: PROTECHNICS
Region: 4
City: FRUITA State: CO
County:
License #: CO 545-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JAMES JARVIS
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD | Notification Date: 04/28/2014
Notification Time: 16:15 [ET]
Event Date: 04/04/2014
Event Time: 14:30 [MDT]
Last Update Date: 04/28/2014 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
MARK HAIRE (R4DO)
FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (EMAI)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - SCRAP FACILITY GATE ALARM
"On 04/04/14 at approximately 1430 MDT, the Colorado Radiation Program received phone notification of a scrap load that had been rejected at a recycling facility in Englewood, CO due to a gate radiation alarm. Scrap facility personnel performed surveys around the container using hand held survey instruments. Surveys indicated readings up to a maximum of 120 microrem/hour (Ludlum Model 3). Recycling facility staff indicated that the load would not be returned to the shipper until the following week and that the load/roll-off container was segregated onsite. The Colorado Radiation Program issued a DOT special permit and the scrap metal was returned to the originator, Baker-Hughes (Colorado License No. 678-01; 285 County Road 27, Brighton, CO 80603) on or about 04/11/14.
"Preliminary communications with Baker-Hughes personnel indicated that it performed well fracking work in mid-March 2014 and worked with another Colorado licensee - well logging tracer company, Protechnics (Colorado License No. 545-01; 703 Greenway Drive, Fruita, CO 81521). Baker-Hughes is not authorized for tracer material use. Baker-Hughes requested that Protechnics perform surveys on the rejected scrap load to determine whether the contamination was naturally occurring radioactive material, or tracer material. Protechnics performed radiological surveys on or about 04/15/14 at the Baker-Hughes facility and determined that a small amount of tracer material remained in one component (a manifold removed from the pumping truck) of the scrap load. Protechnics identified the tracer material as Iridium-192. The tracer material combined with approximately 10 lbs. of fracking sand was removed/decontaminated from the scrap component and was packaged by Protechnics and returned to their facility in Fruita, CO for decay in storage. Protechnics estimated the activity of Ir-192 tracer material in the component to be approximately 0.015 mCi. After receiving a preliminary written report from Protechnics on 04/16/14, Colorado Radiation Program staff performed phone interviews of Baker-Hughes personnel and Protechnics personnel.
"Colorado Radiation Program staff performed on-site verification surveys of the scrap load (post-decontamination) on 04/21/14. Surveys indicated that no radiation levels above instrument background were detected on the remaining decontaminated scrap.
"The Colorado Radiation Program is continuing to investigate the incident to determine further actions." |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 50066 | Rep Org: ARIZONA RADIATION REGULATORY AGENCY
Licensee: QUALITY TESTING, LLC
Region: 4
City: GILBERT State: AZ
County:
License #: AZ 07-491
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: AUBREY GODWIN
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD | Notification Date: 04/28/2014
Notification Time: 18:52 [ET]
Event Date: 04/28/2014
Event Time: [MST]
Last Update Date: 05/02/2014 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
MARK HAIRE (R4DO)
FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (EMAI)
MEXICO (EMAI)
ILTAB (EMAI)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3 " level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
"On April 28, the Agency [Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency] was contacted by the licensee. The licensee indicated that an employee had a moisture density gauge stolen at a Motel in Goodyear, AZ. The gauge is a Humboldt Model 5001, Serial Number 1140 containing 10 millicuries of Cesium-137 and 40 millicuries of Am-241. The device was stolen from a pickup truck at the Towne Place Suites, 13971 West Celebrate Life Way, Goodyear, AZ, 85338. The device was in a steel box bolted to the truck bed. The lock or bolts were cut. A secondary lock was also cut and the device was removed.
"The investigation into this event is ongoing. The AZ Governor's Office, US NRC, FBI, and the states of CA, CO, NV, and NM are being notified of this event. Mexico is also being notified."
AZ First Notice: 14-009
* * * UPDATE PROVIDED BY AUBREY GODWIN TO JEFF ROTTON AT 1736 EDT ON 05/02/2014 * * *
The following information was provided via email from the State of Arizona:
"On May 1, 2014 the AZ Department of Public Safety [AZDPS] received a report that someone had found some HAZMAT including radioactive material. The semi-homeless individual released the gauge he claimed to have found in a garbage dumpster to AZDPS. AZDPS released the gauge to the Agency on May 2, 2014. After leak testing and testing for contamination the licensee was contacted to arrange return of the gauge.
"The State of Arizona investigation into this event is closed."
Notified R4DO (Haire), FSME Events Resource, Country of Mexico, and ILTAB via email.
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 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 50067 | Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: TWINING LABORATORIES OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, INC.
Region: 4
City: SAN BERNARDINO State: CA
County: SAN BERNARDINO
License #: 7780-37
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DONALD OESTERLE
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER | Notification Date: 04/28/2014
Notification Time: 15:28 [ET]
Event Date: 04/28/2014
Event Time: [PDT]
Last Update Date: 04/28/2014 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
MARK HAIRE (R4DO)
FSME EVENT RESOURCE (EMAI)
MEXICO (EMAI)
ILTAB (EMAI)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3 " level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
"On April 28, 2014, at approximately 0845 AM [PDT], [the licensee pending ARSO], an authorized user of radioactive gauges of Twining Laboratories of Southern California, Inc., RML [California Radioactive Materials License] #7780-37 located in San Bernardino, CA, contacted RHB Brea [Radiation Health Branch located in Brea, CA] concerning the moisture/density gauge, CPN model, MC-1, serial number MD10606201 (Cs-137, 0.370 GBq, Am-241, 1.85 GBq) that had been stolen from a temporary storage/construction site in San Bernardino County on the I-15 North freeway at the top of the Cajon Pass at the Oak Hills Road exit.
"[The licensee pending ARSO] arrived at the temporary storage area to begin work on Monday morning and noticed that the construction facility had been broken into and that other tools and equipment had been taken as well as the radioactive gauge, which was charging while locked in a gang box which was removed in it's entirety once the construction fence and locked cargo container were breached. [The licensee pending ARSO] has contacted the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department which has filled out a theft report which will be copied and sent to RHB Brea as part of this report.
"The RSO of Twining Laboratories of Southern California, Inc., is currently on vacation and [the licensee pending ARSO] is receiving assistance and recommendations from another RSO of Twining Laboratories of Southern California, Inc., RML #6872-19 located in Long Beach, CA. [The licensee pending ARSO] is contacting pawn shops and landfills in the area to determine if he can locate the stolen radioactive gauge in advance of utilizing local papers to attempt to retrieve the stolen gauge. The investigation will continue to determine if the radioactive gauge can be recovered in a reasonable time frame."
CA 5010 Number: 042814
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 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 50069 | Rep Org: COLORADO DEPT OF HEALTH
Licensee: WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Region: 4
City: State: CO
County: WELD
License #: CO 1116-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JAMES JARVIS
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD | Notification Date: 04/29/2014
Notification Time: 12:12 [ET]
Event Date: 04/29/2014
Event Time: 08:25 [MDT]
Last Update Date: 04/29/2014 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
MARK HAIRE (R4DO)
FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (EMAI)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - RECOVERY OPERATIONS FOR WELL LOGGING SOURCE
The following information was received via E-mail:
"At approximately 0825 MDT on 04/29/14, the Colorado Radiation Program received notification from Weatherford International, LLC (Colorado license 1116-01), a well logging licensee, regarding a source recovery operation taking place on a well located in Weld County, Colorado (well - 'Razor #261,' operated by Whiting Oil Company). During well logging operations (which involved a 5 Ci Am241:Be source, and a 1.5 Ci Cs-137 source) on 04/28/14, an 'unintentional pull off' occurred sometime around 2200 MDT at a depth of approximately 3500 feet below the surface. A source recovery ('fishing') company was called in to perform source recovery operations and the sources became unstuck around 0230 MDT on 04/29/14. Recovery operations are underway at this time. Fluids are being monitored to verify the sources remain intact during the recovery operations. At this time, the sources are estimated at being 1000 feet below surface, and are continuing to move toward the surface.
"The Radiation Program remains in contact with the licensee and continues to monitor the situation."
* * * UPDATE FROM JAMES JARVIS TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 1312 EDT ON 4/29/2014 * * *
"At 1030 MDT on 4/29/14, the licensee reported that the sources have been recovered, are intact, and have been returned to their storage containers at the temporary jobsite. Surveys of the fluids, sources, work area, and drilling platform areas do not indicate the presence of contamination. The licensee reported that visual inspection of the tools in which the sources were used indicated no significant damage. The sources used on the job will be returned to the Weatherford location in Casper Wyoming where they will be formally leak tested. In addition to the Colorado license, Weatherford also holds an NRC license (NRC 42-26891-01). According to the Colorado RSO, the well logging operation was being conducted under the Colorado license, and involved crew members from both the Colorado and Wyoming locations. The sources were brought from the Casper, Wyoming office."
Notified R4DO (Haire) and FSME Events Resource. |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 50070 | Rep Org: MA RADIATION CONTROL PROGRAM
Licensee:
Region: 1
City: AUBURN State: MA
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DOUG CULLEN
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER | Notification Date: 04/29/2014
Notification Time: 15:48 [ET]
Event Date: 04/25/2014
Event Time: 11:15 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 04/29/2014 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
WILLIAM COOK (R1DO)
FSME EVENT RESOURCE (EMAI)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - RECOVERED SOURCE
"A DOT special permit was issued by our Agency to allow the transport of unidentified radioactive material [RAM] from one waste transfer station to the originating transfer station. Subsequently, a contractor (Atlantic Nuclear) was hired by the waste services operator to isolate the RAM, identify it, label it accordingly, and store it in a secure onsite location. The contractor was not able to definitively identify the RAM. The contractor employed portable multi-channel analyzer's in the effort (both an ICS-4000, and LMJ-702), but no positive identification of the isotope(s) could be made. The material in question is encapsulated in what appears to be a metal enclosure, and the contractor postulated that the material might be Ra-226 due to the number of gamma energy lines measured. It was also postulated that metal encapsulation may be providing interferences, and further testing is required to establish the identity of the isotope. The dose rate measurements conducted by the contractor revealed: At contact 35-40 mR/hr; at 12 inches approx. 3 mR/hr.
"The contractor, Atlantic Nuclear (MA Lic. No. 56-0477), is planning to pick up the materials for storage pending disposal in accordance with their specific license. The Agency [Massachusetts Radiation Control Program] investigation remains open." |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 50071 | Rep Org: ARIZONA RADIATION REGULATORY AGENCY
Licensee: FOREE & VANN, INC
Region: 4
City: PHOENIX State: AZ
County:
License #: AZ 07-263
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: AUBREY GODWIN
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD | Notification Date: 04/29/2014
Notification Time: 16:56 [ET]
Event Date: 04/29/2014
Event Time: 15:30 [MST]
Last Update Date: 04/29/2014 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
MARK HAIRE (R4DO)
FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (EMAI)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE SHUTTER FAILED TO CLOSE
The following information was received via email:
"On March 26, 2014, during an inspection, the inspector noted that a moisture density gauge being returned to storage was overdue for a leak test. Further investigation indicated that the shutter would not close when moved to the closed position. The gauge is a Troxler Model 3430B, Serial Number 35809 containing 9 millicuries of Cesium-137 and 45 millicuries of Am-241. The licensee promptly had the shutter cleaned and a leak test performed. The sources were not leaking and the shutter worked as designed.
"The investigation into this event is ongoing pending the licensee response to inspection findings."
Arizona First Notice: 14-003 |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 50089 | Facility: PEACH BOTTOM
Region: 1 State: PA
Unit: [2] [3] [ ]
RX Type: [2] GE-4,[3] GE-4
NRC Notified By: DAN DULLUM
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD | Notification Date: 05/06/2014
Notification Time: 12:50 [ET]
Event Date: 03/09/2014
Event Time: 16:13 [EST]
Last Update Date: 05/06/2014 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.73(a)(1) - INVALID SPECIF SYSTEM ACTUATION
| Person (Organization):
JOHNATHAN LILLIENDAH (R1DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | | 3 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text 60-DAY OPTIONAL TELEPHONIC NOTIFICATION FOR AN INVALID ACTUATION OF AN EMERGENCY SERVICE WATER SYSTEM
"This 60-day report, as allowed by 10CFR 50.73(a)(1), is being made pursuant to 10CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A) to describe an unplanned, invalid actuation of an emergency service water system.
"On 3/9/14, at approximately 1536 EST, the E2 Emergency Diesel Generator (EDG) was started for a post maintenance operability test. The 'A' safety-related Emergency Service Water (ESW) pump was being used to provide cooling to the EDG. At approximately 1613 EST and 1622 EST, unexpected automatic starts of the 'B' ESW pump and the non-safety related single train Emergency Cooling Water (ECW) pump occurred. The EDG run was terminated at 1622 EST to investigate the cause of the unexpected starts.
"It was determined that a failed angle drive adaptor resulted in invalid input to the speed switch, which resulted in the unplanned starts of the 'B' ESW pump and the ECW pump. Except for the failure of the angle drive adaptor, all systems and equipment operated as expected.
"The NRC resident has been informed of this notification." |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 50090 | Facility: BROWNS FERRY
Region: 2 State: AL
Unit: [ ] [ ] [3]
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4,[3] GE-4
NRC Notified By: MARK MOEBES
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER | Notification Date: 05/06/2014
Notification Time: 13:27 [ET]
Event Date: 05/06/2014
Event Time: 08:30 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 05/06/2014 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL
50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) - VALID SPECIF SYS ACTUATION
| Person (Organization):
BRIAN BONSER (R2DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 3 | A/R | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 0 | Hot Shutdown | Event Text AUTOMATIC REACTOR SCRAM DUE TO LOW REACTOR WATER LEVEL DURING INSTRUMENT TESTING
"At 0830 [CDT] on 05/06/2014, the Unit 3 reactor automatically scrammed due to low reactor water level as a result of a trip of both recirculation pumps. Main Steam Isolation Valves remained open with main turbine bypass valves controlling reactor pressure. Reactor feedwater pumps are in service to control reactor water level.
"Primary Containment Isolation System Groups 2, 3, 6, and 8 containment isolation and initiation signals were received. Upon receipt of these signals all required components actuated as required. The Reactor Feedwater System controlled and maintained water level above the level 2 initiation setpoint.
"Prior to the Scram, the reactor was operating at 100% power. A Core and Containment Cooling Systems Analog Trip Unit Functional Test was in progress. The cause of the recirculation pump trip is under investigation.
"This event is reportable within 4 hours per 10CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) 'any event or condition that results in actuation of the reactor protection system (RPS) when the reactor is critical except when the actuation results from and is part of a pre-planned sequence during testing or reactor operation.' It is also reportable within 8 hours per 10CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) and requires an LER within 60 days per 10CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A).
"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."
U1 and U2 remained at 100% power and were unaffected. | |