Event Notification Report for July 5, 2017

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
07/03/2017 - 07/05/2017

** EVENT NUMBERS **


52822 52823 52824 52839

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Agreement State Event Number: 52822
Rep Org: NC DIV OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: HOSPIRA, INC
Region: 1
City: ROCKY MOUNT State: NC
County:
License #: 064-0969-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: TRAVIS CARTOSKI
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO
Notification Date: 06/23/2017
Notification Time: 11:37 [ET]
Event Date: 06/22/2017
Event Time: 11:30 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 06/23/2017
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
FRANK ARNER (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - IRRADIATOR EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTION

The following information was received from the State of North Carolina via email:

"On June 22, 2017 at [1130 EDT], North Carolina Radiation Protection Section (RPS) was informed by the Radiation Safety Officer for Hospira, Inc. (Pfizer), Rocky Mount, NC (License 064-0969-1) that they were experiencing an issue involving their Wet Shielded Irradiator (Nordion Model JS-8900, Serial Number IR-183, approved for 4,800,000.00 Ci of Co-60). RSO stated that during routine maintenance checks the Source 1 Rack of the irradiator would not trip the down switch to confirm the source rack was in the down position on the control panel and that they were following emergency procedures. Nordion was then contacted by the licensee to obtain assistance. RPS inspectors were immediately dispatched to the licensee's site.

"Once on site, RSO informed RPS that visual confirmation was made of source position via hydraulic cylinders that were fully extended, comparison of cable tightness on roof was observed, and that no indication of radiation in the vault was detected; all leading to the unconfirmed indication that the source rack had moved to the down position. With the assistance from Nordion, Hospira staff were able to initiate bypass procedures and gain access to the vault where confirmation was made that the source racks were in the down position.

"Nordion advised that a faulty down position switch was the cause for the failure. Switch was repaired on site by Hospira engineers, same day. Following repair, Hospira personnel cycled the sources which were brought up into position for one sterilization cycle and then the sources were brought down to test the position sensor. The test was successful, as indicated by the down position indicator lamps and screen on the operator's panel. Nordion staff was informed of the successful test and Hospira staff continued procedural tests to confirm full functionality. After confirming cycling up and down of the source racks, Hospira personnel performed full monthly QA check before resuming operations. 30-Day report is pending to RPS."

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Agreement State Event Number: 52823
Rep Org: MA RADIATION CONTROL PROGRAM
Licensee: HEURESIS CORPORTATION
Region: 1
City: NEWTON State: MA
County:
License #: 55-0702
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JOSHUA DAEHLER
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO
Notification Date: 06/23/2017
Notification Time: 16:13 [ET]
Event Date: 06/21/2017
Event Time: [EDT]
Last Update Date: 06/23/2017
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
FRANK ARNER (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LEAKING SEALED SOURCE

The following information was received from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts via email:

"The licensee reported on June 23, 2017 that licensee learned from its licensed leak test service provider on June 21, 2017 that one 6 millicurie, cobalt-57 sealed source out of 25 sources received in a package on June 16, 2017 from the source manufacturer, Eckert & Ziegler Isotope Products, tested positive for leakage. The leakage was reported as being 4.2 times the limit of 0.005 microCuries (0.021 microCuries). The other 24 sources showed no contamination.

"The leaking sealed source is an Eckert & Ziegler Isotope Products Model 3901-2 source, serial number P6-883.

"The licensee reported that the leaking source was contained and secured in an individual zip lock type plastic bag; that there is no facility contamination based on area surveys performed; that the external surfaces of the package received, that had contained all of the 25 source, had been wipe tested and that the package was not contaminated; and that the sources were not used pending leak test results.

"The licensee reported that it notified the source manufacturer on June 21, 2017, received a return authorization number from the manufacturer, and shipped the source back to the manufacturer on June 22, 2017.

"The Agency [Massachusetts Radiation Control Program] considers this event to be open."

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Agreement State Event Number: 52824
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
Licensee: DESERT NDT LLC
Region: 4
City: ODESSA State: TX
County:
License #: 06462
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ARTHUR TUCKER
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD
Notification Date: 06/23/2017
Notification Time: 16:47 [ET]
Event Date: 06/23/2017
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 06/27/2017
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
VINCENT GADDY (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)
PATRICIA MILLIGAN (EMAI)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - POSSIBLE DOSE EXCEEDING LIMITS RECEIVED

The following information was received via E-mail:

This event occurred at a field site in or near Orla, Texas.

"On June 23, 2017, the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] was notified by the licensee's radiation safety officer (RSO) that an event had occurred involving one of their radiography crews. The RSO stated while performing radiography operations at a field site, a radiographer had approached a SPEC 150 exposure device (camera) containing an 81 Curie iridium-192 source to disconnect the guide tube. After reaching down to disconnect the guide tube, the radiographer noticed the guide tube was not completely attached to the camera and their exposure device (ND 2000 dose rate meter) was pegged high on the times ten scale. The source was then fully retracted to the fully shielded position. The radiographer stated his hand was in close proximity to the guide for about 10 seconds. The radiographer stated his self-reading dosimeter was reading 52 millirem after the event. The RSO stated the radiographers were on their way back to their office. The RSO stated the TLD badges for radiographers would be sent in for reading by their dosimetry processor. The RSO stated the radiographers would be interviewed and the licensee would inform the Agency on Monday, June 26, 2017, what their investigation revealed. The RSO did not have any additional information. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300.

Texas Incident #: I-9496

* * * UPDATE FROM ART TUCKER (VIA EMAIL) TO HOWIE CROUCH AT 1027 EDT ON 6/27/17 * * *

The following information was received via E-mail:

"On June 27, 2017, the Agency contacted the licensee and inquired on the status of the radiographer exposed during this event. The licensee's radiation safety officer (RSO) stated they have not seen any changes in the appearance of the radiographer's hands. The RSO stated the radiographer has not felt any discomfort in his hands. The RSO stated a blood sample will be sent to Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for analysis. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."

Notified R4DO (Vasquez), NMSS Events Notification and NSIR (Milligan) by email.

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Power Reactor Event Number: 52839
Facility: OYSTER CREEK
Region: 1 State: NJ
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-2
NRC Notified By: JOSH MCGUIRE
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ
Notification Date: 07/03/2017
Notification Time: 12:32 [ET]
Event Date: 07/03/2017
Event Time: 10:15 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/03/2017
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):
RAY POWELL (R1DO)

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
1 M/R Y 42 Power Operation 0 Hot Shutdown

Event Text

MANUAL REACTOR SCRAM ON LOW CONDENSER VACUUM

"At 1015 [EDT] a manual reactor scram was inserted due to degrading main condenser vacuum. All rods inserted into the core as expected and all systems functioned as expected during the scram.

"This event is reportable within 4 hours per 10 CFR 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.'

"At 1033 [EDT] an automatic reactor scram occurred on low reactor water level. Due to the previous manual reactor scram, all rods were [already] inserted.

"This event is reportable within 8 hours per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) 'any event or condition that results in valid actuation of any of the systems listed in paragraph (b)(3)(iv)(B) of this section, except when the actuation results from and is part of a preplanned sequence during testing or reactor operation. (1) Reactor protection system (RPS) including : Reactor scram and reactor trip.'"

Decay heat is being removed using main feedwater and the turbine bypass valves.

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

This event was characterized as a "configuration control event" where a valve misposition allowed the offgas line to flood.

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, March 24, 2021