Event Notification Report for December 29, 2014
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
12/28/2014 - 12/29/2014
EVENT NUMBERS
50709507065070750833
Agreement State
Event Number: 50709
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
Licensee: TSI LABS INC.
Region: 4
City: VICTORIA State: TX
County:
License #: 04767
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ART TUCKER
HQ OPS Officer: DANIEL MILLS
Licensee: TSI LABS INC.
Region: 4
City: VICTORIA State: TX
County:
License #: 04767
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ART TUCKER
HQ OPS Officer: DANIEL MILLS
Notification Date: 12/30/2014
Notification Time: 18:14 [ET]
Event Date: 12/29/2014
Event Time: 18:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 12/31/2014
Notification Time: 18:14 [ET]
Event Date: 12/29/2014
Event Time: 18:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 12/31/2014
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
MICHAEL HAY (R4DO)
NMSS EVENTS NOTIFICA (EMAI)
MEXICO (FAX)
MICHAEL HAY (R4DO)
NMSS EVENTS NOTIFICA (EMAI)
MEXICO (FAX)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE:
The following was received from the State of Texas via email:
"On December 30, 2014, at 1630 [CST] the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] was notified by the licensee [TSI Labs, Inc.] that a Humboldt model 5001-c gauge containing a 40 millicurie source and a 10 millicurie source was stolen out of the back of a company pickup truck [in San Antonio, TX]. The licensee stated the technician had parked the truck at a movie theater and entered the theater to be with family. The licensee stated the gauge was unattended for one hour and forty five minutes. The licensee stated when the technician returned to the truck he found the chains securing the gauge to the truck were cut and the gauge and locks were missing. The licensee stated marks on the portion of the chain still in the truck showed it took several attempts to cut the chains. The technician notified a sheriff standing in the area of the theft. The technician searched for the gauge, but did not find it. The licensee will continue searching the area for the gauge. The licensee stated they are contemplating offering a reward for the gauges return. The licensee stated it believed the locks were still on the gauge hasps at the time of the theft, but the operating rod for the cesium source was probably not locked. The licensee stated the outside of the box was labeled with the radiation symbol. The licensee is continuing its investigation. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."
The licensee reported the theft to local law enforcement.
Texas Incident # I - 9264
* * * UPDATE PROVIDED BY ARTHUR TUCKER TO JEFF ROTTON AT 1028 EST ON 12/31/2014 * * *
The following information was provided by the State of Texas via email:
"The licensee reported that they are offering a $400.00 reward for the return of the gauge. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Customs and Border Patrol, and the Texas Association of Pawnbroker's have been notified of the theft."
Notified R4DO (Hay), NMSS Events Notification (email), and Mexico (fax).
* * * UPDATE PROVIDED BY ARTHUR TUCKER TO VINCE KLCO AT 1925 EST ON 1//19/2015 * * *
The following information was provided by the State of Texas via email:
"On January 19, 2015, the Agency was notified by a regional inspector that they had been contacted by an individual who stated they had found the missing gauge. The inspector received the gauge from the individual and verified the gauge and source serial numbers matched the serial numbers reported by the licensee as being stolen. The inspector returned the gauge to the licensee that later same night. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."
Notified R4DO (Proulx), NMSS Events Notification (email), and Mexico (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
The following was received from the State of Texas via email:
"On December 30, 2014, at 1630 [CST] the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] was notified by the licensee [TSI Labs, Inc.] that a Humboldt model 5001-c gauge containing a 40 millicurie source and a 10 millicurie source was stolen out of the back of a company pickup truck [in San Antonio, TX]. The licensee stated the technician had parked the truck at a movie theater and entered the theater to be with family. The licensee stated the gauge was unattended for one hour and forty five minutes. The licensee stated when the technician returned to the truck he found the chains securing the gauge to the truck were cut and the gauge and locks were missing. The licensee stated marks on the portion of the chain still in the truck showed it took several attempts to cut the chains. The technician notified a sheriff standing in the area of the theft. The technician searched for the gauge, but did not find it. The licensee will continue searching the area for the gauge. The licensee stated they are contemplating offering a reward for the gauges return. The licensee stated it believed the locks were still on the gauge hasps at the time of the theft, but the operating rod for the cesium source was probably not locked. The licensee stated the outside of the box was labeled with the radiation symbol. The licensee is continuing its investigation. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."
The licensee reported the theft to local law enforcement.
Texas Incident # I - 9264
* * * UPDATE PROVIDED BY ARTHUR TUCKER TO JEFF ROTTON AT 1028 EST ON 12/31/2014 * * *
The following information was provided by the State of Texas via email:
"The licensee reported that they are offering a $400.00 reward for the return of the gauge. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Customs and Border Patrol, and the Texas Association of Pawnbroker's have been notified of the theft."
Notified R4DO (Hay), NMSS Events Notification (email), and Mexico (fax).
* * * UPDATE PROVIDED BY ARTHUR TUCKER TO VINCE KLCO AT 1925 EST ON 1//19/2015 * * *
The following information was provided by the State of Texas via email:
"On January 19, 2015, the Agency was notified by a regional inspector that they had been contacted by an individual who stated they had found the missing gauge. The inspector received the gauge from the individual and verified the gauge and source serial numbers matched the serial numbers reported by the licensee as being stolen. The inspector returned the gauge to the licensee that later same night. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."
Notified R4DO (Proulx), NMSS Events Notification (email), and Mexico (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
Non-Agreement State
Event Number: 50706
Rep Org: HEMLOCK SEMICONDUCTOR
Licensee: HEMLOCK SEMICONDUCTOR
Region: 3
City: HEMLOCK State: MI
County:
License #: 21-32682-01
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: CHRISTOPHER VAN HAMPLER
HQ OPS Officer: DANIEL MILLS
Licensee: HEMLOCK SEMICONDUCTOR
Region: 3
City: HEMLOCK State: MI
County:
License #: 21-32682-01
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: CHRISTOPHER VAN HAMPLER
HQ OPS Officer: DANIEL MILLS
Notification Date: 12/29/2014
Notification Time: 17:33 [ET]
Event Date: 12/29/2014
Event Time: 15:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/29/2014
Notification Time: 17:33 [ET]
Event Date: 12/29/2014
Event Time: 15:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/29/2014
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
30.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE
10 CFR Section:
30.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE
Person (Organization):
JAMNES CAMERON (R3DO)
NMSS EVENTS NOTIFICA
JAMNES CAMERON (R3DO)
NMSS EVENTS NOTIFICA
FIXED GAUGE SHUTTER STICKING WHEN MOVED
At approximately 1500 EST on December 29, 2014, an operator attempted to open the shutter on a fixed gauge Vega America source holder and determined that the shutter was sticking. The shutter was locked in the closed position and tagged out. The licensee performed a radiation survey and confirmed that the shutter was in the closed position. The licensee previously reported a stuck shutter on a nearby device (EN 50667). The licensee will contact the vendor to repair both devices.
Fixed gauge: Vega America Source Holder Model SHF 2-B with Cs-137 800 millicurie source.
At approximately 1500 EST on December 29, 2014, an operator attempted to open the shutter on a fixed gauge Vega America source holder and determined that the shutter was sticking. The shutter was locked in the closed position and tagged out. The licensee performed a radiation survey and confirmed that the shutter was in the closed position. The licensee previously reported a stuck shutter on a nearby device (EN 50667). The licensee will contact the vendor to repair both devices.
Fixed gauge: Vega America Source Holder Model SHF 2-B with Cs-137 800 millicurie source.
Power Reactor
Event Number: 50707
Facility: LASALLE
Region: 3 State: IL
Unit: [] [2] []
RX Type: [1] GE-5,[2] GE-5
NRC Notified By: MARK SMITH
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON
Region: 3 State: IL
Unit: [] [2] []
RX Type: [1] GE-5,[2] GE-5
NRC Notified By: MARK SMITH
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON
Notification Date: 12/30/2014
Notification Time: 03:51 [ET]
Event Date: 12/29/2014
Event Time: 23:30 [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/30/2014
Notification Time: 03:51 [ET]
Event Date: 12/29/2014
Event Time: 23:30 [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/30/2014
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) - ACCIDENT MITIGATION
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) - ACCIDENT MITIGATION
Person (Organization):
JAMNES CAMERON (R3DO)
JAMNES CAMERON (R3DO)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation |
HIGH PRESSURE CORE SPRAY DECLARED INOPERABLE DUE TO LEAK ON DIVISION 3 DIESEL GENERATOR COOLING WATER PUMP
"This report is being made pursuant to 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(v)(D), Event or Condition that could have prevented fulfillment of a Safety Function needed to Mitigate the Consequences of an Accident. During routine surveillance testing of the Unit 2 Division 3 Emergency Diesel Generator (LOS-DG-M3) a small pinhole leak was identified in the pump casing of the Division 3 Diesel Generator Cooling Water Pump. This condition has been evaluated and the Division 3 Diesel Generator Cooling Water Pump has been declared inoperable. The Division 3 Diesel Generator Cooling Water Pump is a support system for the Division 3 Emergency Diesel Generator and the High Pressure Core Spray System (HPCS). The required actions of Technical Specification (TS) 3.5.1 were entered on 12/29/14 at 2330 [CST] when the HPCS system was determined to be inoperable. This condition could have prevented the High Pressure Core Spray System (HPCS), a single train safety system, from performing its design function."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
"This report is being made pursuant to 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(v)(D), Event or Condition that could have prevented fulfillment of a Safety Function needed to Mitigate the Consequences of an Accident. During routine surveillance testing of the Unit 2 Division 3 Emergency Diesel Generator (LOS-DG-M3) a small pinhole leak was identified in the pump casing of the Division 3 Diesel Generator Cooling Water Pump. This condition has been evaluated and the Division 3 Diesel Generator Cooling Water Pump has been declared inoperable. The Division 3 Diesel Generator Cooling Water Pump is a support system for the Division 3 Emergency Diesel Generator and the High Pressure Core Spray System (HPCS). The required actions of Technical Specification (TS) 3.5.1 were entered on 12/29/14 at 2330 [CST] when the HPCS system was determined to be inoperable. This condition could have prevented the High Pressure Core Spray System (HPCS), a single train safety system, from performing its design function."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
Non-Agreement State
Event Number: 50833
Rep Org: DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Licensee: DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Region: 4
City: NORTH LITTLE ROCK State: AR
County:
License #: 03-23853-01VA
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: THOMAS HUSTON
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON
Licensee: DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Region: 4
City: NORTH LITTLE ROCK State: AR
County:
License #: 03-23853-01VA
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: THOMAS HUSTON
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON
Notification Date: 02/19/2015
Notification Time: 15:40 [ET]
Event Date: 12/29/2014
Event Time: 00:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 02/19/2015
Notification Time: 15:40 [ET]
Event Date: 12/29/2014
Event Time: 00:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 02/19/2015
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
35.3045(a)(1) - DOSE <> PRESCRIBED DOSAGE
10 CFR Section:
35.3045(a)(1) - DOSE <> PRESCRIBED DOSAGE
Person (Organization):
DAVID HILLS (R3DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFIC (EMAI)
DAVID HILLS (R3DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFIC (EMAI)
MEDICAL EVENT - UNDERDOSE
"This is a notification, pursuant to 10 CFR 35.3045(a)(1), of a medical event that occurred at the VA Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
"On December 29, 2014, a dosage of 1.569 millicuries of I-131 sodium iodide was administered to a patient for a diagnostic whole body scan, and the prescribed dosage on the written directive was 2 millicuries.
"The basis for identifying this as a medical event is that the administered dosage differed from the prescribed dosage by more than 20 percent and the absorbed dose is estimated to differ from that dose that would have resulted from the prescribed dose by more than 50 rem to remnant thyroid tissue.
"The medical event was discovered today (February 19, 2015) during a routine audit by the facility Radiation Safety Officer. The facility has notified the referring physician and the patient of the medical event. No biological harm to the patient is expected from this under-dosing event.
"The NHPP [National Health Physics Program] plans to perform a reactive inspection regarding the medical event within the next 10 working days. A 15-day written report for the medical event will be submitted to NRC Region III. National Health Physics Program notified NRC Region III (Patricia Pelke, Chief, Materials Licensing Branch Chief) of the medical event by telephone.
"Additional information: The Department of Veterans Affairs holds NRC License No. 03-23853-01VA, a master materials license. Permits are issued under the license to Veterans Health Administration facilities. The VHA permit number for the facility involved in this medical event is 32-01134-01. National Health Physics Program makes required notifications to NRC."
A Medical Event may indicate potential problems in a medical facility's use of radioactive materials. It does not necessarily result in harm to the patient.
"This is a notification, pursuant to 10 CFR 35.3045(a)(1), of a medical event that occurred at the VA Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
"On December 29, 2014, a dosage of 1.569 millicuries of I-131 sodium iodide was administered to a patient for a diagnostic whole body scan, and the prescribed dosage on the written directive was 2 millicuries.
"The basis for identifying this as a medical event is that the administered dosage differed from the prescribed dosage by more than 20 percent and the absorbed dose is estimated to differ from that dose that would have resulted from the prescribed dose by more than 50 rem to remnant thyroid tissue.
"The medical event was discovered today (February 19, 2015) during a routine audit by the facility Radiation Safety Officer. The facility has notified the referring physician and the patient of the medical event. No biological harm to the patient is expected from this under-dosing event.
"The NHPP [National Health Physics Program] plans to perform a reactive inspection regarding the medical event within the next 10 working days. A 15-day written report for the medical event will be submitted to NRC Region III. National Health Physics Program notified NRC Region III (Patricia Pelke, Chief, Materials Licensing Branch Chief) of the medical event by telephone.
"Additional information: The Department of Veterans Affairs holds NRC License No. 03-23853-01VA, a master materials license. Permits are issued under the license to Veterans Health Administration facilities. The VHA permit number for the facility involved in this medical event is 32-01134-01. National Health Physics Program makes required notifications to NRC."
A Medical Event may indicate potential problems in a medical facility's use of radioactive materials. It does not necessarily result in harm to the patient.