Alert

Due to a lapse in appropriations, the NRC has ceased normal operations. However, excepted and exempted activities necessary to maintain critical health and safety functions—as well as essential progress on designated critical activities, including those specified in Executive Order 14300—will continue, consistent with the OMB-Approved NRC Lapse Plan.

Event Notification Report for October 07, 2019

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
10/4/2019 - 10/7/2019

** EVENT NUMBERS **

Agreement State	Event Number: 54295
Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM Licensee: G3 QUALITY, INC. Region: 4 City: STATELINE State: NV County: License #: 7986-19 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: DONALD OESTERLE HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH	Notification Date: 09/26/2019 Notification Time: 14:47 [ET] Event Date: 09/26/2019 Event Time: 00:00 [PDT] Last Update Date: 10/04/2019
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE	Person (Organization): VINCENT GADDY (R4DO) NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL) - CNSNS (MEXICO) (EMAIL)

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

Event Text

EN Revision Imported Date : 10/7/2019

EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN MOISTURE / DENSITY GAUGE

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

"On September 26, 2019, the RSO [radiation safety officer] of Maurer Technical Services, (Maurer, CA RAM license 6163-30) a nuclear gauge service provider and authorized CPN/Instrotek dealer, contacted the Brea RAM/Radiologic Health Branch office to report the theft of one of their nuclear gauges that they had leased to G3 Quality, Inc. (G3). The gauge was a CPN Model MC-3, S/N M39028685 (10 mCi Cs-137 and [50 mCi] Am:Be-241). The gauge was stolen at the Hard Rock Hotel in Stateline, NV where the gauge operator was staying while working at a project in Lake Tahoe, CA. The gauge was locked to the bed of the vehicle (open bed), the alarm enabled, and left in the parking lot of the hotel on the evening of September 25, 2019 (around 2130 PDT). The gauge was discovered missing on the morning of September 26, 2019, with the handles broken off the transport case. The cab of the truck was also broken into with other items stolen, including a laptop and the front hood was broken into to defeat the vehicle alarm. A police report was taken (the specific law enforcement agency was not provided) and the loss was reported to the G3 office and then to [the Maurer RSO] who then contacted our [California Radiologic Health Branch] office. The incident is under investigation and corrective actions will be determined at a later date."

CA 5010 No.: 092619

* * * UPDATE AT 1334 EDT ON 10/4/19 FROM ANDREW TAYLOR TO JEFF HERRERA * * *

The following update was received from the California Department of Public Health via email:

"The gauge was recovered by Local Law Enforcement near Heavenly Village in South Lake Tahoe, CA and the gauge was returned to the license on September 27, 2019."

Notified the R4DO(Proulx), NMSS Events, CNSNS (Mexico).

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: 54296
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES Licensee: BLUE CUBE OPERATIONS, LLC Region: 4 City: FREEPORT State: TX County: License #: L06926 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: KAREN BLANCHARD HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH	Notification Date: 09/26/2019 Notification Time: 18:11 [ET] Event Date: 09/26/2019 Event Time: 00:00 [CDT] Last Update Date: 09/26/2019
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE	Person (Organization): VINCENT GADDY (R4DO) NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - SHUTTER FAILURE ON A FIXED NUCLEAR GAUGE

The following information was obtained from the State of Texas via email:

"On September 26, 2019, the licensee's radiation safety officer notified the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] that it had a shutter failure on one of its fixed nuclear gauges. The Ohmart SH-F1 gauge, containing 5 milliCuries of cesium-137 (SN: 2925 CG), is mounted on a vessel. The licensee had closed the shutter in order to do some work in the area. Upon completion of the work, the licensee was attempting to re-open the shutter when the screws holding the actuator to the shutter handle sheared. The shutter is in the fully closed position which was confirmed by survey. There were no exposures as result of this event. A service company has been scheduled to make repairs on September 27, 2019. An investigation into this event is ongoing. More information will be provided as it is obtained in accordance with SA-300."

Texas Incident No.: 9714

Power Reactor	Event Number: 54309
Facility: PALO VERDE Region: 4 State: AZ Unit: [1] [2] [3] RX Type: [1] CE,[2] CE,[3] CE NRC Notified By: LORRAINE WEAVER HQ OPS Officer: JEFF HERRERA	Notification Date: 10/04/2019 Notification Time: 15:45 [ET] Event Date: 03/03/2019 Event Time: 00:00 [MST] Last Update Date: 10/04/2019
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 21.21(d)(3)(i) - DEFECTS AND NONCOMPLIANCE	Person (Organization): DAVID PROULX (R4DO) - PART 21/50.55 REACTORS (EMAIL)

Unit

SCRAM Code

RX Crit

Initial PWR

Initial RX Mode

Current PWR

Current RX Mode

100

Power Operation

100

Power Operation

100

Power Operation

100

Power Operation

Event Text

PART 21 - GE HITACHI PRIMARY CONTACT FINGER SURFACE DEFECT

"On March 3, 2019, during overhaul activities of the medium voltage power (Magne-blast) circuit breakers, three General Electric Hitachi (GEH) Stationary Primary Contact Fingers Q0114C5382P002 were identified as having contact surfaces with a finish that was rough and unlike the typically smooth finish provided on electrical contact surfaces. These Stationary Primary Contact Fingers are the primary current carrying device for the circuit breaker.

"On October 1, 2019, Arizona Public Service Company (APS) completed an evaluation of a deviation, and concluded the condition represented a defect under 10 CFR 21.

"On October 4, 2019, the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Vice President, Nuclear Engineering, was notified of a defect of GEH Stationary Primary Contact Fingers which met the reporting criteria of 10 CFR 21.21.

"There are no medium voltage power (Magne-blast) circuit breakers with stationary primary contact fingers impacted by this condition installed in the plant. APS concluded this condition, if installed, could result in the breaker failing to perform its safety function and thus could create a substantial safety hazard.

"The NRC resident inspector has been informed."

Part 21	Event Number: 54311
Rep Org: AZZ NUCLEAR GROUP Licensee: NUCLEAR LOGISTICS INC Region: 4 City: FORT WORTH State: TX County: License #: Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: TRACY BOLT HQ OPS Officer: JEFF HERRERA	Notification Date: 10/04/2019 Notification Time: 17:54 [ET] Event Date: 10/04/2019 Event Time: 00:00 [CDT] Last Update Date: 10/04/2019
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 21.21(a)(2) - INTERIM EVAL OF DEVIATION	Person (Organization): ANNE DeFRANCISCO (R1DO) HIRONORI PETERSON (R3DO) - PART 21/50.55 REACTORS (EMAIL)

Event Text

PART 21 - F10 SERIES MCC CUBICLE CONNECTION STAB ALIGNMENT

The following is a summary from a part 21 report received via facsimile:

"Susquehanna identified a deviation with a phase to phase to ground short that was caused by misalignment of the cubicle stabs when racking in the cubicle. The cubicle was racked into the cell and 2 of the 3 phase stab fingers engaged properly with the bus. The A phase stab fingers missed the center of the bus, however an electrical connection was maintained. This condition was estimated to be present for 3 years before the failure occurred. The deviation was originally evaluated as an installation issue, however after further evaluation, the deviation has been determined to be a failure to comply with the specification requirements. The specification requirements were reviewed and it was determined that the design of the connection stabs did not fully comply with the requirements.

"The reported deviation will complete an electrical connection between the stab finger assembly and the bus, but at a possible reduced current carrying ability as only 1 side of the stab finger assembly is touching the bus. This causes less surface area contact between the stab finger and the bus, which causes less current carrying ability. The cubicle will likely function, however over time, if left uncorrected, it is possible that the connection could overheat, depending on the load of the cubicle, since the connection has a reduced surface area and/or has a higher resistance than what would be typical if the stab finger assembly was properly engaged.

"The issue could extend to all F10 series MCC cubicles supplied by NLI [Nuclear Logistics Inc.] with the current design of stab assembly P/N: 5600-SA3-1. This design has been provided to Susquehanna Station, Limerick Generating Station, and Perry Nuclear.

"Please contact me with any questions or comments:
Tracy Bolt, Director of Quality Assurance
AZZ Nuclear
7410 Pebble Drive
Ft. Worth, TX 76118"

Power Reactor	Event Number: 54312
Facility: ARKANSAS NUCLEAR Region: 4 State: AR Unit: [1] [] [] RX Type: [1] B&W-L-LP,[2] CE NRC Notified By: JARED WOODS HQ OPS Officer: JEFF HERRERA	Notification Date: 10/05/2019 Notification Time: 16:29 [ET] Event Date: 10/05/2019 Event Time: 08:50 [CDT] Last Update Date: 10/05/2019
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION 50.72(b)(3)(xii) - OFFSITE MEDICAL	Person (Organization): DAVID PROULX (R4DO) CHRIS MILLER (NRR EO) JEFFERY GRANT (IRD)

Unit

SCRAM Code

RX Crit

Initial PWR

Initial RX Mode

Current PWR

Current RX Mode

Hot Standby

Event Text

INDIVIDUAL TRANSPORTED TO OFFSITE MEDICAL DUE TO INJURY

"At 0850 CDT, on 10/5/2019, the control room was notified of a personnel injury in the Unit 1 containment building. The individual was considered potentially contaminated since a complete frisk could not be performed prior to transport to a local hospital. At 1234 CDT, a radiological survey determined that the individual and their clothing had trace amounts of activity that was easily removed. The employee did not sustain any life threatening injuries.

"This is reportable under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xii).

"Additionally, at 1135 CDT contact was made with the Arkansas Department of Health about transport of the potentially contaminated individual. This is reportable under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi) due to notification of an offsite agency.

"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 54313
Facility: GLOBAL NUCLEAR FUEL - AMERICAS RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: LEU CONVERSION (UF6 TO UO2) LEU FABRICATION LWR COMMERICAL FUEL Region: 2 City: WILMINGTON State: NC County: NEW HANOVER License #: SNM-1097 Docket: 07001113 NRC Notified By: PHILLIP OLLIS HQ OPS Officer: JEFF HERRERA	Notification Date: 10/06/2019 Notification Time: 16:16 [ET] Event Date: 10/06/2019 Event Time: 07:00 [EDT] Last Update Date: 10/06/2019
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (c) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION/NEWS REL	Person (Organization): ALAN BLAMEY (R2DO) NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL) - FUELS GROUP (EMAIL)

Event Text

OFFSITE NOTIFICATION DUE TO FIRE PUMP BEING TAKEN OFFLINE

"At 0700 (EDT) on October 6, 2019, the New Hanover County Deputy Fire Marshall was notified per state code requirements that the fire pump supporting the Fuel Manufacturing Operation (FMO) was being taken offline for NFPA [National Fire Protection Association] required testing. Compensatory measures were enacted. The fire pump was returned to operation at 1215 (EDT) on 10/6/2019. Because the New Hanover County Deputy Fire Marshall was notified, a concurrent notification to the NRC Operations Center is being made per 10 CFR 70, Appendix A(c)."

The NRC Region II office will be notified.

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, March 24, 2021