Home NRC Library Document Collections Events, Reports Associated with Event Notification Reports 2019

Event Notification Report for March 27, 2019

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
3/26/2019 - 3/27/2019

** EVENT NUMBERS **

Agreement State	Event Number: 53943
Rep Org: NJ RAD PROT AND REL PREVENTION PGM Licensee: JOHN BLEWETT, INC Region: 1 City: HOWELL State: NJ County: License #: Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: RICHARD PEROS HQ OPS Officer: BETHANY CECERE	Notification Date: 03/18/2019 Notification Time: 14:09 [ET] Event Date: 03/05/2019 Event Time: 00:00 [EDT] Last Update Date: 03/18/2019
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE	Person (Organization): CHRISTOPHER CAHILL (R1DO) NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - SCRAP METAL WITH RADIUM DISCOVERED

The following was received from the state of New Jersey by email:

"The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection informed the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection that a load of scrap metal from the John Blewett company in Howell, New Jersey set off the radiation alarm at Sims Metal Management in Morrisville, Pennsylvania. Sims rejected the load and it was returned to Blewett in Howell via a U.S. DOT special permit. Once returned to Blewitt, the load was dumped and what appeared to be the instrument panel from a World War II era plane was found to be the cause of the elevated readings. Based on readings taken at the site, it is estimated that the panel contains 61 microCi of Ra-226. The highest reading seen was 12.5 mR/hr on contact. Some of the glass covering over a gauge was broken. A gross wipe test indicated removable contamination was present. Those individuals who had touched the panel were checked for contamination or advised to check. The area where the panel had been originally placed was also checked, with slightly elevated readings discovered. All surfaces were cleaned to background levels, as well as the area where the panel had been originally secured. The panel and all items involved in the clean-up were placed in a five-gallon bucket and will be secured pending proper disposition through a waste broker."

Agreement State	Event Number: 53945
Rep Org: PA BUREAU OF RADIATION PROTECTION Licensee: IPSCO KOPPEL TUBULARS, LLC Region: 1 City: BEAVER FALLS State: PA County: License #: PA-1049 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: JOHN CHIPPO HQ OPS Officer: THOMAS KENDZIA	Notification Date: 03/19/2019 Notification Time: 10:54 [ET] Event Date: 03/18/2019 Event Time: 00:00 [EDT] Last Update Date: 03/19/2019
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE	Person (Organization): CHRISTOPHER CAHILL (R1DO) NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE - EQUIPMENT DISABLED AND FAILED TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED

The following was received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania via fax:

"On March 19, 2019, the licensee informed the Department [PA Department, Bureau of Radiation Protection] of a fixed gauge becoming disabled during routine source movement. It is reportable per 10 CFR 30.50(b)(2). Event location is Koppel, PA.

"During the process of installing a Co-60 source rod and moving it from a transfer shield to a gauge and industrial process mold, the licensee observed difficulty in getting the source rod to insert into the mold. It is suspected that the rod is slightly bent. The rod was retracted into the fully shielded position in a spare transfer shield. The transfer shield containing the Co-60 rod was then taken to a designated storage area where it is secured from unauthorized access. A service provider has been contacted for possible repair or replacement. No exposures over regulatory limits occurred.

"Radionuclide: Co-60
Manufacturer: Berthold Technologies
Source Model: P 2608-100
Gauge Model: LB 300 ML
Source Serial Number: unknown at this time
Activity: approximately 12 milliCuries

"The rod has been securely stored and placed out of service until repairs or return can be accomplished by a licensed service provider. The Department has scheduled a reactive inspection. More information will be provided when available.

"PA Event Report ID No: PA190009"

Agreement State	Event Number: 53946
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES Licensee: CROSSBRIDGE COMPLIANCE LLC Region: 4 City: LONGVIEW State: TX County: License #: Licen-RAM-L06904 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: MATTHEW KENNINGTON HQ OPS Officer: BETHANY CECERE	Notification Date: 03/19/2019 Notification Time: 12:13 [ET] Event Date: 02/24/2019 Event Time: 00:00 [CST] Last Update Date: 03/19/2019
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE	Person (Organization): NEIL O'KEEFE (R4DO) NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - SOURCE NOT CONTROLLED WHILE VEHICLE IMPOUNDED

The following was received from the state of Texas by email:

"On February 25th, 2019, the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] was notified by a licensee that control was lost of a Spec 150 (SN: 2472) radiography camera containing a 49 Curie iridium-192 source (Source SN: ZL1103, model G-60 manufactured by SPEC) as the result of an employee arrested for driving while intoxicated [in Odessa, TX]. The vehicle containing the source was impounded. The keys to the vehicle were left with the impound yard. The vehicle was locked, alarm armed, in a fenced lot, behind a locked gate, and under video surveillance. Keys to the darkroom, where the source was stored, were located in the center console of the vehicle. No individuals accessed the vehicle while in the impound lot. The vehicle was retrieved by the licensee shortly after being notified of the arrest and impounding. The source was out of the licensee's control for approximately eleven hours. No exposures occurred as a result of this event."

TX Incident #: 9657

Power Reactor	Event Number: 53959
Facility: BROWNS FERRY Region: 2 State: AL Unit: [] [2] [] RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4,[3] GE-4 NRC Notified By: MATTHEW SLOUKA HQ OPS Officer: JEFFREY WHITED	Notification Date: 03/26/2019 Notification Time: 16:08 [ET] Event Date: 03/26/2019 Event Time: 10:30 [CDT] Last Update Date: 03/26/2019
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A) - DEGRADED CONDITION	Person (Organization): BRIAN BONSER (R2DO)

Unit

SCRAM Code

RX Crit

Initial PWR

Initial RX Mode

Current PWR

Current RX Mode

Refueling

Event Text

REPORT OF DEGRADED CONDITION DUE TO LEAKING VALVE

"On 3/26/2019 at 1030 CDT Engineering evaluation determined that Traversing lncore Probe (TIP) System test results related to Leak Rate Testing of 2-CKV-76-653, TIP Purge Header Check Valve, during the Unit 2 Refueling Outage resulted in a reportable condition. On 3/24/2019 at 1558 CDT, Leak Rate Testing identified a [local leak rate test] LLRT failure of 2-CKV-76-653. The gross leakage Leak Rate value exceeded the Technical Specification allowable value for Type C valves of less than 0.6 [allowable leakage] La.

"This constitutes an 8-hour NRC notification in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A) - Any event or condition that results in the condition of the nuclear power plant, including its principal safety barriers, being seriously degraded.

"There was no impact on the health and safety of the public or plant personnel. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."

The short-term corrective actions include repairing the valve such that it passes the test. The valve needs to be repaired before the unit can change modes.

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, March 24, 2021