Event Notification Report for August 02, 2017
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
08/01/2017 - 08/02/2017
Agreement State
Event Number: 52883
Rep Org: ARIZONA RADIATION REGULATORY AGENCY
Licensee: ATEK ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS, LLC
Region: 4
City: CHANDLER State: AZ
County:
License #: AZ 07-662
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: BRIAN D. GORETZKI
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN
Licensee: ATEK ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS, LLC
Region: 4
City: CHANDLER State: AZ
County:
License #: AZ 07-662
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: BRIAN D. GORETZKI
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN
Notification Date: 08/02/2017
Notification Time: 18:53 [ET]
Event Date: 08/02/2017
Event Time: 15:00 [MST]
Last Update Date: 08/02/2017
Notification Time: 18:53 [ET]
Event Date: 08/02/2017
Event Time: 15:00 [MST]
Last Update Date: 08/02/2017
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
RAY AZUA (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)
RAY AZUA (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - FAILED NUCLEAR MOISTURE/DENSITY GAUGE HANDLE LOCKING MECHANISM
The following information was received from the State of Arizona via email:
"During a routine inspection, the Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency discovered that the handle locking mechanism of a CPN MC-3 Portaprobe (Serial # M39068944) containing 370MBq (10mCi) of Cesium-137 and 1.85 GBq (50mCi) of Americium-241/Beryllium, failed to function as intended. While testing the locking mechanism, the inspector was able to lower the Cs-137 source out of its housing, exposing the source, while the handle and trigger were in the locked position. The licensee was notified and the gauge was immediately placed out of service. The utilization log for the gauge was checked and it was determined that the gauge had not been in use for the previous 6 months. None of the users had reported issues with the gauge prior to that time. The licensee committed to having the gauge serviced as soon as possible.
"The Agency [Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency] is continuing to investigate the event.
"The [Arizona] Governor's office and U.S. NRC are being notified of this event.
"[Arizona] First Notice: 17-011"
The following information was received from the State of Arizona via email:
"During a routine inspection, the Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency discovered that the handle locking mechanism of a CPN MC-3 Portaprobe (Serial # M39068944) containing 370MBq (10mCi) of Cesium-137 and 1.85 GBq (50mCi) of Americium-241/Beryllium, failed to function as intended. While testing the locking mechanism, the inspector was able to lower the Cs-137 source out of its housing, exposing the source, while the handle and trigger were in the locked position. The licensee was notified and the gauge was immediately placed out of service. The utilization log for the gauge was checked and it was determined that the gauge had not been in use for the previous 6 months. None of the users had reported issues with the gauge prior to that time. The licensee committed to having the gauge serviced as soon as possible.
"The Agency [Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency] is continuing to investigate the event.
"The [Arizona] Governor's office and U.S. NRC are being notified of this event.
"[Arizona] First Notice: 17-011"
Agreement State
Event Number: 52885
Rep Org: LOUISIANA RADIATION PROTECTION DIV
Licensee: EXXONMOBIL BATON ROUGE PLASTICS PLANT
Region: 4
City: BATON ROUGE State: LA
County:
License #: LA-2349-L01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: RUSSELL CLARK
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD
Licensee: EXXONMOBIL BATON ROUGE PLASTICS PLANT
Region: 4
City: BATON ROUGE State: LA
County:
License #: LA-2349-L01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: RUSSELL CLARK
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD
Notification Date: 08/03/2017
Notification Time: 14:47 [ET]
Event Date: 08/02/2017
Event Time: 14:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/03/2017
Notification Time: 14:47 [ET]
Event Date: 08/02/2017
Event Time: 14:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/03/2017
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
RAY AZUA (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)
RAY AZUA (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - FIXED GAUGE SOURCE STUCK IN DIP TUBE
The following information was received via E-mail:
"On August 2, 2017, at approximately 1400 CDT, [the] Radiation Safety Officer of ExxonMobil notified the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) of an equipment malfunction. A Model LB300 IS Berthold level/density gauge installed on G-Line High Pressure Separator Vessel, V5300 and possessing seven nominally 50 mCi Co-60 sealed sources, was undergoing a routine annual shutter test in which the sealed sources were being pulled upwards in their dip tubes via connecting cables to the top of the source holder. The source in dip tube No.1 became stuck in its dip tube and could not be pulled upward further. The source in dip tube No.1 could not be successfully returned to its normal operating position. The sources in dip tubes Nos. 3, 4, and 5 were successfully pulled up to the top of the source holder. According to [the RSO], the sources in dip tubes Nos. 2 and 6 had already become stuck in their dip tubes and not returned to the source holder during the previous shutter test conducted during June 2016, and that now there are three sources, source serial numbers, 1369-08-02, 1370-08-02 and 1374-08-02, respectively stuck within their dip tubes Nos. 1, 2, and 6. The licensee placed a service call to [a] Berthold contract service engineer on August 2, 2017, but was unable to contact him and left a voicemail message. [The Berthold contract service engineer] will conduct a maintenance inspection of the gauge as soon as possible. The above sources have gone through approximately 3.2 half-lives since installation and so the true activity of the above Co-60 sources is approximately 5.4 mCi. This is not an emergency situation. ExxonMobil Radiation Safety Office staff is monitoring the vessel condition and have the situation under control. There is not a potential for off-site exposure."
Louisiana Event Report ID No.: LA170011
The following information was received via E-mail:
"On August 2, 2017, at approximately 1400 CDT, [the] Radiation Safety Officer of ExxonMobil notified the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) of an equipment malfunction. A Model LB300 IS Berthold level/density gauge installed on G-Line High Pressure Separator Vessel, V5300 and possessing seven nominally 50 mCi Co-60 sealed sources, was undergoing a routine annual shutter test in which the sealed sources were being pulled upwards in their dip tubes via connecting cables to the top of the source holder. The source in dip tube No.1 became stuck in its dip tube and could not be pulled upward further. The source in dip tube No.1 could not be successfully returned to its normal operating position. The sources in dip tubes Nos. 3, 4, and 5 were successfully pulled up to the top of the source holder. According to [the RSO], the sources in dip tubes Nos. 2 and 6 had already become stuck in their dip tubes and not returned to the source holder during the previous shutter test conducted during June 2016, and that now there are three sources, source serial numbers, 1369-08-02, 1370-08-02 and 1374-08-02, respectively stuck within their dip tubes Nos. 1, 2, and 6. The licensee placed a service call to [a] Berthold contract service engineer on August 2, 2017, but was unable to contact him and left a voicemail message. [The Berthold contract service engineer] will conduct a maintenance inspection of the gauge as soon as possible. The above sources have gone through approximately 3.2 half-lives since installation and so the true activity of the above Co-60 sources is approximately 5.4 mCi. This is not an emergency situation. ExxonMobil Radiation Safety Office staff is monitoring the vessel condition and have the situation under control. There is not a potential for off-site exposure."
Louisiana Event Report ID No.: LA170011
Agreement State
Event Number: 54575
Rep Org: COLORADO DEPT OF HEALTH
Licensee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY - GOODRICH CORPARATION
Region: 4
City: Pueblo State: CO
County:
License #: GL000629
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KATHRYN MOTE
HQ OPS Officer: RICHARD SMITH
Licensee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY - GOODRICH CORPARATION
Region: 4
City: Pueblo State: CO
County:
License #: GL000629
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KATHRYN MOTE
HQ OPS Officer: RICHARD SMITH
Notification Date: 03/09/2020
Notification Time: 12:27 [ET]
Event Date: 08/02/2017
Event Time: 00:00 [MST]
Last Update Date: 03/09/2020
Notification Time: 12:27 [ET]
Event Date: 08/02/2017
Event Time: 00:00 [MST]
Last Update Date: 03/09/2020
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
DAVID PROULX (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
ILTAB (EMAIL)
DAVID PROULX (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
ILTAB (EMAIL)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST TRITIUM EXIT SIGNS
The following information was received from the State of Colorado via email:
"The licensee reported to the State of Colorado two exit signs missing after renovation.
"Initial date reported: 8/2/17
"Final Decision Material Lost date: 3/5/20"
The exit signs have an activity of 7.5 Ci each.
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 information was received from the State of Colorado via email:
"The licensee reported to the State of Colorado two exit signs missing after renovation.
"Initial date reported: 8/2/17
"Final Decision Material Lost date: 3/5/20"
The exit signs have an activity of 7.5 Ci each.
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