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Event Notification Report for September 8, 2017

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
09/07/2017 - 09/08/2017

** EVENT NUMBERS **


52939 52941 52942 52952

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Agreement State Event Number: 52939
Rep Org: WISCONSIN RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: CATALYST PAPER OPERATIONS INC.
Region: 3
City: BIRON State: WI
County:
License #: 141-2060-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KYLE WALTON
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ
Notification Date: 08/30/2017
Notification Time: 16:18 [ET]
Event Date: 08/30/2017
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/30/2017
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
ANN MARIE STONE (R3DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - SHUTTER FAILED OPEN

The following report was received via e-mail:

"On August 30, 2017, the licensee noticed that a shutter indicator light on a Pm-147 Honeywell-Measurex fixed gauge device, on a paper mill line, was not functioning correctly. The light was on and indicating that the shutter was closed, when the shutter was actually in the open position. However, the device shutter is still working and communicating as usual. The licensee utilized a survey meter to determine that even though the light was on, the shutter was open. The licensee roped off the area, instructed all operators to the status of the shutter, and re-instructed to always use a survey meter if they needed to approach the device and to assume the shutter is open. The licensee is continuing operations, but controlling access to the area while a fix is arranged. The licensee is in contact with the manufacturer to determine the next steps. The state is in contact with the licensee and will be continuing to follow the situation."

Wisconsin Event: WI 170013

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Non-Agreement State Event Number: 52941
Rep Org: MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Licensee: MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Region: 3
City: MARQUETTE State: MI
County:
License #: GL
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: GENE WOOD
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD
Notification Date: 08/31/2017
Notification Time: 12:40 [ET]
Event Date: 08/18/2017
Event Time: 14:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/31/2017
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
20.2201(a)(1)(i) - LOST/STOLEN LNM>1000X
Person (Organization):
ANN MARIE STONE (R3DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)

This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3 " level of radioactive material.

Event Text

STOLEN THEN IMPROPERLY DISPOSED OF TRITIUM EXIT SIGNS

A trustee prisoner was found to have removed 10 tritium 'bulbs' from 10 tritium exit signs at Marquette Branch Prison. The trustee prisoner was using the tritium bulbs as night lights. Eight of the 10 tritium bulbs were recovered. The trustee prisoner admitted to having broken two of the tritium bulbs and then flushed them down a toilet. The activity level of the tritium bulbs is unknown at this time.

The recovered eight tritium bulbs are currently in secure storage. These tritium bulbs will be disposed of by an approved/licensed contractor. The trustee prisoner has been removed from trustee status.

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

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Agreement State Event Number: 52942
Rep Org: CA DEPT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Licensee: EARTH-STRATA, INC.
Region: 4
City: TEMECULA State: CA
County:
License #: 7612-33
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DONALD OESTERLE
HQ OPS Officer: BETHANY CECERE
Notification Date: 08/31/2017
Notification Time: 13:32 [ET]
Event Date: 08/30/2017
Event Time: [PDT]
Last Update Date: 08/31/2017
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
30.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE
Person (Organization):
VINCENT GADDY (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DAMAGED MOISTURE/DENSITY GAUGE

The following report was received from the California Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch (CA RHB) by email:

"On August 30, 2017, the President and ARSO of Earth-Strata, Inc., contacted the CA RHB Brea office [at 1415 PDT] to report a moisture/density gauge had been run over by a bulldozer at a construction site in Santa Clarita, CA. The gauge is a CPN MC-3, S/N M36087027 (10 mCi Cs-137, 50 mCi Am:Be-241). [The licensee] stated that the gauge was on the ground with the Cs-137 source in the shielded position when it was struck by the bulldozer. The area around the gauge was isolated until the gauge operator was instructed by [the ARSO] to place the gauge in the transport case for transport to Maurer Technical Services to be inspected and to perform an emergency leak test. [The licensee] stated that the plastic cover of the gauge had been broken and the guide tube and source rod had broken off of the top of the source shield. [The licensee] stated that after the gauge was inspected by Maurer personnel, it was determined that the Cs-137 source remained in the shielded position and the Am:Be-241 source remained intact and was still attached to gauge. Maurer Technical Services will assist in the disposal of the gauge. The investigation will remain open and any citations will be deferred until the licensee provides the 30-day report."

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Power Reactor Event Number: 52952
Facility: TURKEY POINT
Region: 2 State: FL
Unit: [3] [4] [ ]
RX Type: [3] W-3-LP,[4] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: TIM JONES
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ
Notification Date: 09/08/2017
Notification Time: 00:06 [ET]
Event Date: 09/07/2017
Event Time: 23:14 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/08/2017
Emergency Class: UNUSUAL EVENT
10 CFR Section:
50.72(a) (1) (i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
Person (Organization):
ERIC MICHEL (R2DO)
JEFFERY GRANT (IRD)
CATHERINE HANEY (R2RA)
BRIAN HOLIAN (NRR)

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
3 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation
4 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation

Event Text

NOTIFICATION OF UNUSUAL EVENT - HURRICANE WARNING

"At 2300 today, the National Weather Service issued a hurricane warning for the area including Turkey Point Nuclear Units 3 & 4. On that basis, a Notice of Unusual Event was declared at 2314 [EDT]. In anticipation of severe weather, the site has completed proceduralized high wind preparations. Our plants have been specifically built to withstand natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, flooding and tidal surges. This approach will ensure the safety of operations and our employees and the communities surrounding our plants.

"Both units are currently stable at 100% power level.

"The NRC Resident Inspector has been informed."

No safety systems are out of service. The electrical grid is stable but grid risk is high.

Notified DHS, FEMA, NICC, and NNSA (e-mail).

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Thursday, March 25, 2021