| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
03/03/2016 - 03/04/2016 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | Agreement State | Event Number: 51752 | Rep Org: ILLINOIS EMERGENCY MGMT. AGENCY
Licensee: EVONIK CORPORATION
Region: 3
City: MAPLETON State: IL
County:
License #: IL-02078-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DAREN PERRERO
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN | Notification Date: 02/24/2016
Notification Time: 12:46 [ET]
Event Date: 02/23/2016
Event Time: [CST]
Last Update Date: 02/24/2016 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
ANN MARIE STONE (R3DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFIC (EMAI)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - SOURCE DISCONNECT ON FIXED GAUGE
The following information was received from the State of Illinois via email:
"On February 23, the licensee's radiation safety officer (RSO) called to advise that a sealed source of Cs-137 became separated from its handling rod within a fixed gauge and was now resting at the bottom of a seven foot 'well tube' within a nine foot conical reaction process vessel on their property. The well tube is centered on the vertical axis of the vessel and provides a protected environment for the source holder and rod. Previously the vessel had been emptied for routine maintenance and was being returned to service when the event took place. The current configuration is similar to that of its routine operating configuration other than the gauge is now 'always on' and cannot be returned to its normal shielded position, should the need exist. The plant plans on returning the vessel to service and refilling the vessel with reactants. This material should provide additional shielding such that accessible surface dose rates of the vessel are less than 1 mR/h.
"The licensee is making arrangements with the manufacturer to come to the site and recover/dispose of the gauge and the source. Until that time, on site safety personnel and the process operating engineers have been advised of the situation and of the necessary precautions to observe should it become necessary to empty the vessel under emergency conditions. Under no circumstances will individuals be allowed access to the interior of the vessel without otherwise receiving explicit approval for the activity.
"Pending recovery of the source by the manufacturer and receipt of the formal written report from the licensee, this matter remains open. No investigation by the Agency [Illinois Emergency Management Agency] is planned at this time."
Fixed Gauge Manufacturer: Kay-Ray/Sensall
Model Number: 7065
Serial Number: 28219
Source: Cs-137
Activity: 0.027 Ci
Illinois Incident #: IL16001 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 51753 | Rep Org: PA BUREAU OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: UNKNOWN
Region: 1
City: BEAVER FALLS State: PA
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JOE MELNIC
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN | Notification Date: 02/24/2016
Notification Time: 15:10 [ET]
Event Date: 02/22/2016
Event Time: [EST]
Last Update Date: 02/24/2016 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
MARC FERDAS (R1DO)
ANN MARIE STONE (R3DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (NMSS)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFIC (EMAI)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - UNPLANNED CONTAMINATION AT METAL RECYCLING FACILITY
The following information was provided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania via fax:
"Notifications: The non-licensee discovered the event on February 23, 2016 and notified the Ohio Department of Health, who then notified our Department [PA Bureau of Radiation Protection] after normal business hours on the same evening. It is reportable per 10 CFR 30.50(b)(1)(i) and 20.2201(a)(i).
"Event Description: On Monday, February 22, 2016, a large orphan radium-226 (Ra-226) source of unknown total activity or origin was shredded at the PSC Metals facility in Beaver Falls, PA. The recycled material was then shipped to two different Ohio facilities where it was discovered during an inbound radiation scan on February 23, 2016.
"Cause of the Event: The Pennsylvania facility was [apparently] not performing outbound gamma radiation surveys on recycled materials.
"Actions: The contaminated shredder, with gamma radiation levels of over 400 mrem/hr, has been isolated. The locker room, clothes, vehicles and workers have been surveyed and no contamination has been found. The gloves of two workers were found to have contamination. A reactive inspection occurred the evening of the 23rd to survey the entrance/gate area of the Beaver Falls facility, and a full emergency response occurred the morning of February 24, 2016. PA and OH Radiation Control Programs are onsite in their respective states and communicating findings. Surveys of employees, vehicles and equipment are ongoing. The response will continue until isolation and containment of Ra-226 is ensured. A local health physics service provider has also been contracted by PSC to assist with the decontamination operation. More information will be provided upon receipt.
"Media Attention: None at this time, but OH may issue a Press Release.
"Event Report ID No: PA160007" | |