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Event Notification Report for September 16, 2019

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
9/13/2019 - 9/16/2019

** EVENT NUMBERS **


54258542595426054261542765427754278


Agreement State Event Number: 54258
Rep Org: KENTUCKY DEPT OF RADIATION CONTROL
Licensee: MISTRAS GROUP
Region: 1
City: LOUISVILLE   State: KY
County:
License #: 201-736-05
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: AJ BHATTACHARYYA
HQ OPS Officer: CATY NOLAN 		Notification Date: 09/06/2019
Notification Time: 10:29 [ET]
Event Date: 08/30/2019
Event Time: 12:30 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/06/2019
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
ERIN CARFANG (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE - RADIOGRAPHY CAMERA SOURCE UNABLE TO RETRACT

The following was received from Kentucky Department of Health Radiation Branch (KY RHB) via email:

"KY RHB was notified by telephone on 9/3/19 that at approximately 1230 EDT on 8/30/19, while performing radiography in a pipe rack, radiographers were unable to retract a 38.7 Curie Ir-192 (AEA/QSA A424-9, Serial No. 82580G) source into the exposure device (QSA 880D Serial No. D11651) using the crank mechanism. During the retracting process the cover plate on the drive became loose, enabling the internal drive cable to depart the gear system in the handle of the drive cable mechanism.

"Since the issue with the drive cable could not be repaired, the incident became a retrieval situation, and the crew made appropriate notifications to the Radiation Safety Officer, manager and on-site contact. The crew established a new 2 mR boundary as required and confirmed that the area was secure. The drive cable was removed from the handle, and the source was manually retracted into the exposure device. The source was secured in the exposure device at 1435 EDT. During the 2-hours while the source was exposed, there were no overexposures to the public.

"The radiographer and assistant received exposures of 80 mR and 130 mR respectively and the manager received an exposure of 5 mR. It was determined that the root cause of the incident was that the crew did not properly inspect the equipment before commencing non-destructive testing activities. It was discovered that the drive cable handle was missing four of the six screws that secure the cover plate on. This caused the drive cable to slip off the gear and partially lift the cover plate. The drive cables were immediately taken out of service and replaced with properly functioning equipment."

Event Report ID No.: KY190009


Agreement State Event Number: 54259
Rep Org: FLORIDA BUREAU OF RADIATION CONTROL
Licensee: WESTROCK CP, LLC
Region: 1
City: FERNANDINA BEACH   State: FL
County:
License #: 4295-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: MATTHEW SENISON
HQ OPS Officer: ANDREW WAUGH 		Notification Date: 09/06/2019
Notification Time: 12:44 [ET]
Event Date: 08/29/2019
Event Time: 00:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/06/2019
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
ERIN CARFANG (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
ILTAB (EMAIL)
This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material.

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST SOURCE

The following report is a synopsis of an email received from the Florida Bureau of Radiation Control (BRC):

On September 6, 2019, Westrock CP, LLC called to notify the BRC of a lost Cs-137 source (serial number: S99J2804). The activity of the source as measured on approximately January 1, 1997, was 5 mCi. Westrock had planned to remove five sources during a semi-annual inventory survey, but they were unable to locate one of the sources. A more sensitive survey meter was then flown to the licensee, but it was unable to detect any activity in the area where the source was expected to be.

Florida Incident Number: FL19-111

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


Agreement State Event Number: 54260
Rep Org: FLORIDA BUREAU OF RADIATION CONTROL
Licensee: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
Region: 1
City: GAINESVILLE   State: FL
County:
License #: 0356-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: MATTHEW SENISON
HQ OPS Officer: ANDREW WAUGH 		Notification Date: 09/06/2019
Notification Time: 13:59 [ET]
Event Date: 08/02/2019
Event Time: 00:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/06/2019
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
ERIN CARFANG (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
ILTAB (EMAIL)
This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material.

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - IMPROPER DISPOSAL OF A SOURCE

The following report is a synopsis of an email received from the Florida Bureau of Radiation Control:

During an inventory conducted on August 2, 2019, the University of Florida discovered that a Ni-63 source was improperly sent to a scrap metal processor. The Ni-63 source (serial number: 3270) had an activity of 13.5 mCi.

Florida Incident Number: FL19-098

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


Agreement State Event Number: 54261
Rep Org: KENTUCKY DEPT OF RADIATION CONTROL
Licensee: BIG RIVERS ELECTRIC CORP
Region: 1
City: HENDERSON   State: KY
County:
License #: 201-277-56
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ANJAN BHATTACHARYYA
HQ OPS Officer: JEFFREY WHITED 		Notification Date: 09/06/2019
Notification Time: 15:35 [ET]
Event Date: 09/05/2019
Event Time: 14:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/06/2019
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
ERIN CARFANG (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE - SHUTTER CONTROL MECHANISM MALFUNCTION

The following was received from Kentucky Department of Health Radiation Branch (KY RHB) via email:

"KY RHB was notified on 9/6/2019 by a representative from a specifically licensed facility, Big Rivers Electric Corp., that at 1400 EDT on Thursday 09/05/2019, one fixed gauging device (Kay Ray Dual Model 7080, Serial Number 13321G), containing a 100 mCi Cs-137 source (serial No. 12376-V; assay date 6/1/1981) had developed a potential problem. An investigation showed that the shutter remained partially shut when the arm of the on-off shutter mechanism was moved to the fully open position. The gauge is located 25 feet above the floor between fly ash hoppers, and was left on the hopper with the shutter in the closed position. Pending removal of the source no access has been permitted to the two affected hoppers, and all maintenance activities will be delayed until the device has ben removed. No overexposures to the public or to plant workers have been reported. The licensee will be contacting a licensed service provider to remediate this situation."

Event Report ID No.: KY190010


Power Reactor Event Number: 54276
Facility: SEQUOYAH
Region: 2     State: TN
Unit: [1] [2] []
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: JOHN D LINDLEY
HQ OPS Officer: BRIAN P. SMITH 		Notification Date: 09/13/2019
Notification Time: 11:57 [ET]
Event Date: 09/13/2019
Event Time: 05:27 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/13/2019
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
Person (Organization):
FRANK EHRHARDT (R2DO)
Unit SCRAM Code RX Crit Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
1 N Y 75 Power Operation 75 Power Operation
2 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation

Event Text

EMERGENCY OPERATING FACILITY UNAVAILABLE DUE TO ACCESS ISSUES

"This is an eight-hour, non-emergency notification for a loss of Emergency Assessment Capability.

"A condition impacting access to the Emergency Operating Facility, Central Emergency Control Center (CECC), located in the TVA Chattanooga Office Complex occurred on September 13, 2019 at 0527 EDT. Fire suppression capabilities for the TVA Chattanooga Office Complex are currently impacted by a water main failure rendering access to the facility unsafe for personnel.

"If an emergency is declared requiring CECC activation during this period, other emergency response centers will be activated and staffed using existing emergency planning procedures and have the capability to perform the functions normally performed by the CECC.

"This is an eight-hour, non-emergency notification for a loss of Emergency Assessment Capability. This event is reportable in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii) because the condition affects the functionality of an emergency response facility.

"The condition does not affect the health and safety of the public.

"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."


Power Reactor Event Number: 54277
Facility: WATTS BAR
Region: 2     State: TN
Unit: [1] [2] []
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: JUSTIN GALLAGHER
HQ OPS Officer: BRIAN P. SMITH 		Notification Date: 09/13/2019
Notification Time: 12:21 [ET]
Event Date: 09/13/2019
Event Time: 05:27 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/13/2019
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
Person (Organization):
FRANK EHRHARDT (R2DO)
Unit SCRAM Code RX Crit Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
1 N Y 11 Power Operation 11 Power Operation
2 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation

Event Text

EMERGENCY OPERATING FACILITY UNAVAILABLE DUE TO ACCESS ISSUES

"This is an eight-hour, non-emergency notification for a loss of Emergency Assessment Capability.

"A condition impacting access to the Emergency Operating Facility, Central Emergency Control Center (CECC), located in the TVA Chattanooga Office Complex occurred on September 13, 2019 at 0527 EDT. Fire suppression capabilities for the TVA Chattanooga Office Complex are currently impacted by a water main failure rendering access to the facility unsafe for personnel.

"If an emergency is declared requiring CECC activation during this period, other emergency response centers will be activated and staffed using existing emergency planning procedures and have the capability to perform the functions normally performed by the CECC.

"This is an eight-hour, non-emergency notification for a loss of Emergency Assessment Capability. This event is reportable in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii) because the condition affects the functionality of an emergency response facility.

"The condition does not affect the health and safety of the public.

"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."


Power Reactor Event Number: 54278
Facility: BROWNS FERRY
Region: 2     State: AL
Unit: [1] [2] [3]
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4,[3] GE-4
NRC Notified By: BILL BALL
HQ OPS Officer: BRIAN P. SMITH 		Notification Date: 09/13/2019
Notification Time: 12:23 [ET]
Event Date: 09/13/2019
Event Time: 04:27 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 09/13/2019
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
Person (Organization):
FRANK EHRHARDT (R2DO)
Unit SCRAM Code RX Crit Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
1 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation
2 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation
3 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation

Event Text

EMERGENCY OPERATING FACILITY UNAVAILABLE DUE TO ACCESS ISSUES

"This is an eight-hour, non-emergency notification for a loss of Emergency Assessment Capability.

"A condition impacting access to the Emergency Operating Facility, Central Emergency Control Center (CECC), located in the TVA Chattanooga Office Complex occurred on September 13, 2019 at 0427 CDT. Fire suppression capabilities for the TVA Chattanooga Office Complex are currently impacted by a water main failure rendering access to the facility unsafe for personnel.

"If an emergency is declared requiring CECC activation during this period, other emergency response centers will be activated and staffed using existing emergency planning procedures and have the capability to perform the functions normally performed by the CECC.

"This is an eight-hour, non-emergency notification for a loss of Emergency Assessment Capability. This event is reportable in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii) because the condition affects the functionality of an emergency response facility.

"The condition does not affect the health and safety of the public.

"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, March 24, 2021