| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
11/03/2014 - 11/04/2014 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | Agreement State | Event Number: 50564 | Rep Org: ILLINOIS EMERGENCY MGMT. AGENCY
Licensee: CASTLE METALS
Region: 3
City: FRANKLIN PARK State: IL
County:
License #: 9223619
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DAREN PERRERO
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER | Notification Date: 10/24/2014
Notification Time: 12:28 [ET]
Event Date: 10/03/2014
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 10/24/2014 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
PATTY PELKE (R3DO)
FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (EMAI)
ILTAB (EMAI)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3 " level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST PORTABLE FLUORESCENCE ANALYZER
"During a routine request for an annual inventory audit by the Agency [Illinois Emergency Management Agency], the generally licensed registrant was unable to locate their hand held thin metal alloy analyzer. The unit was a 'triple head' unit containing 3 sources. It was replaced by a newer x-ray producing unit a few years ago but was retained as a back up. Current and past employees were questioned during the investigation and the registrant will continue its search although they believe it unlikely to be fruitful. When it went unused, it was believed to be discarded with other equipment and junked. At this time, the radioactive iron and cadmium sources are decayed to less than milliCurie quantities and have a negligible radiation profile associated with them and they pose no threat to public health and safety were they some how removed from the device. The americium source however remains and if disposed as described, the device would show no elevated radiation levels from its surface. Based on similar equipment information in the sealed source device registry, if the internal shutter mechanism were somehow to be rotated open with the Am-241 source in the analyze position, the only measurable radiation would be found at the front of the device and would be less than 2 millirem/h at a foot. Pending additional developments, the Agency is considering this matter closed."
Device Name: FLUORESCENCE ANALYZER.
Model Number: XL 309-831S.
Manufacturer: NITON.
Serial Number: U3052 6125LY.
Containing the following sources;
Sealed Source: .014 Ci, AM-241.
Manufacturer: AMERSHAM.
Model Number: AMC.P4.
Serial Number: 1076CW
Sealed Source: .0007 Ci, CD-109.
Manufacturer: AMERSHAM
Model Number: IEC.A1.
Serial Number: 8819LG.
Sealed Source: .000007 Ci, CD-109.
Manufacturer: AMERSHAM.
Model Number: CUCP.1.
Serial Number: 6125LY.
Cause: Human Error.
Illinois Item Number: IL14020.
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: 50570 | Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: TWINING, INC.
Region: 4
City: SACRAMENTO State: CA
County:
License #: 7782
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: GENE FORRER
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON | Notification Date: 10/27/2014
Notification Time: 17:29 [ET]
Event Date: 10/17/2014
Event Time: 05:45 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 10/27/2014 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
JACK WHITTEN (R4DO)
JACK GUTTMANN (NMSS)
FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (EMAI)
ILTAB (EMAI)
MEXICO (EMAI)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3 " level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN TROXLER MOISTURE/DENSITY GAUGE
The following information was provided by the State of California via email:
"Twining, Inc. notified RHB [California Radiation Health Branch] that at approximately 0545 [PDT on 10/17/2014], a Troxler 4640 moisture/density gauge, containing 10 mCi of Cs-137 and 50 mCi of Am-241, was stolen from an employee's vehicle while he was in his hotel room [located in Oakdale, CA]."
Oakdale Police Department Report Number: 14-3399
California Event Report Number: 10172014
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 |
| Fuel Cycle Facility | Event Number: 50577 | Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC.
RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION
Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY
NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE
LEU SCRAP RECOVERY
Region: 2
City: ERWIN State: TN
County: UNICOI
License #: SNM-124
Agreement: Y
Docket: 07000143
NRC Notified By: RANDY SHACKELFORD
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH | Notification Date: 10/29/2014
Notification Time: 17:32 [ET]
Event Date: 10/29/2014
Event Time: 03:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/29/2014 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
PART 70 APP A (b)(1) - UNANALYZED CONDITION
| Person (Organization):
MARVIN SYKES (R2DO)
JACK GUTTMANN (NMSS)
FUELS GROUP (EMAI)
| Event Text UNANALYZED CONDITION DUE TO MATERIAL IN A THERMOCOUPLE HOUSING
"While performing troubleshooting on a thermocouple, uranium-bearing material was found inside the sealed housing containing the wiring block for the thermocouple. A very small amount (less than one ounce) of wet paste-like material was removed from the housing for analysis. The leak appears to be low concentration material that has penetrated the enclosed thermocouple well. The material was contained within the housing; however, the electrical conduit exiting the housing connects to an electrical panel that is an unfavorable geometry.
"Potential health and safety consequences: "No actual safety consequences occurred due to this event. The potential consequences would result if a sufficient volume of HEU solution were to leak through the thermocouple well and drain through the electrical conduit into an unfavorable geometry electrical panel, which could under worst case conditions lead to a criticality accident. The leaked material was contained within the instrument housing and no personnel exposures resulted.
"Sequence of occurrences leading to the event: "The integrity of a thermocouple well failed allowing a very small quantity of low concentration material to enter the housing containing the thermocouple connections. The leak was identified during troubleshooting operational issues with the system. At this point, the failure mechanism of the thermocouple well is unknown.
"Additional actions taken in response to the event: Similar systems are being inspected to determine if additional failures are present. Also, corrective actions to include modification of the unfavorable geometry electrical panels that have not been previously modified are underway to eliminate this failure pathway.
"What is the safety significance of the event? Low safety significance due to limited quantity as well as geometry of container.
"The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector." |
| Fuel Cycle Facility | Event Number: 50589 | Facility: AREVA NP INC RICHLAND
RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION
Comments: LEU CONVERSION
FABRICATION & SCRAP
COMMERCIAL LWR FUEL
Region: 2
City: RICHLAND State: WA
County: PENTON
License #: SNM-1227
Agreement: Y
Docket: 07001257
NRC Notified By: CALVIN MANNING
HQ OPS Officer: DANIEL MILLS | Notification Date: 11/03/2014
Notification Time: 11:12 [ET]
Event Date: 11/02/2014
Event Time: 12:45 [PST]
Last Update Date: 11/03/2014 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
PART 70 APP A (c) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION/NEWS REL
| Person (Organization):
ALAN BLAMEY (R2DO)
ALADAR CSONTOS (NMSS)
| Event Text OFFSITE NOTIFICATION DUE TO WORKER INJURY
"On Sunday, November 2, 2014 at 1245 PST, a process operator driving a motorized transport cart sans any load was making a turn and lost his balance and put his foot on the floor. The cart caught his ankle under the standing platform for the driver. The process operator broke his ankle as a result.
"The process operator was surveyed by Health and Safety Technicians, found to be free of any radioactive contamination. The process operator was then transported to the local hospital by ambulance.
"This industrial accident is reportable to the Washington State labor and Industries and the OSHA toll free hotline was also called."
"The NRC is being informed of this event under the requirements of 10CFR70 Appendix A criterion (C).
'Any event or situation, related to the health and safety of the public or onsite personnel, or protection of the environment, for which a new release is planned or notification of other government agencies has been or will be made, shall be reported to the NRC Operations Center concurrent to the news release or other notification.'"
The NRC Regional Office was notified by the licensee. |
| Fuel Cycle Facility | Event Number: 50591 | Facility: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
RX Type: URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE PRODUCTION
Comments: UF6 CONVERSION (DRY PROCESS)
Region: 2
City: METROPOLIS State: IL
County: MASSAC
License #: SUB-526
Agreement: Y
Docket: 04003392
NRC Notified By: ROSS LINBERGH
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER | Notification Date: 11/03/2014
Notification Time: 16:56 [ET]
Event Date: 11/03/2014
Event Time: 08:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 11/03/2014 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
40.60(b)(3) - MED TREAT INVOLVING CONTAM
| Person (Organization):
ALAN BLAMEY (R2DO)
ALADAR CSONTOS (NMSS)
| Event Text UNPLANNED MEDICAL TREATMENT OF A CONTAMINATED INDIVIDUAL
"An employee with an injured hand and knee reported to the on-site dispensary this morning after slipping and falling in a gravel area. First aid was administered. A whole body radiological survey of the employee and plant clothing was performed; the maximum amount of contamination present was on the upper back of the employee's plant issued coveralls, 1,700 dpm/100cm2. Upon the completion of first aid activities, the employee routinely exit monitored from the facility and reported to an off-site medical facility for further evaluation."
No additional contamination found on the employee.
The licensee has notified NRC Region II (Hartland). | |