Event Notification Report for June 09, 2020

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
6/8/2020 - 6/9/2020

** EVENT NUMBERS **

 
54730 54732 54741 54742

Agreement State Event Number: 54730
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
Licensee: Desert NDT LLC dba Shawcor
Region: 4
City: Fredericksburg   State: TX
County:
License #: L06462
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Karen Blanchard
HQ OPS Officer: Brian Lin
Notification Date: 05/29/2020
Notification Time: 06:27 [ET]
Event Date: 05/28/2020
Event Time: 23:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 06/03/2020
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
GREG WERNER (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
JEFFERSON CLARK (ILTAB)
SILAS KENNEDY (IRD)
PATRICIA MILLIGAN (INES)
This material event contains a "Category 2" level of radioactive material.

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOSS OF CONTROL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

The following information was received from the Texas Department of State Health Services (the Agency) via E-mail:

"On May 29, 2020, at approximately 0130 [CDT], the licensee notified the Agency that at approximately 2300 [CDT] on May 28, 2020, one of its industrial radiography crews was crossing a river southeast of Fredericksburg, Texas, when their vehicle was washed off the road and into the river. Their SPEC 150 exposure device, containing a 47 curie Iridium-192 source, is secured in the vehicle locked inside a robust overpack container, which is held by locked metal brackets which are bolted to the truck. The two radiographers and two licensee staff who responded, aided by county law enforcement with a helicopter, are looking for the vehicle. The river is flowing full and swift and making their search difficult and the truck appears to be being carried downstream.

"The roof of the darkroom was seen by helicopter at approximately 0440 [CDT]. At this time, it is unlikely that an exposure could result to persons in unrestricted areas. More information will be provided as it is obtained in accordance with SA-300."

Notified DHS SWO, DOE Operations Center, FEMA Operations Center, HHS Operations Center, USDA Operations Center, EPA Emergency Operations Center, DHS CISA IOCC Watch Officer, FDA Emergency Operations Center (email), Nuclear SSA (email), FEMA National Watch Center (email) and DNDO Joint Analysis Center (email).

Texas Incident No.: I-9722

* * * UPDATE ON 5/30/2020 AT 1924 EDT FROM KAREN BLANCHARD TO BRIAN P. SMITH * * *

The following updated information was received from the Texas Department of State Health Services (the Agency) via E-mail:

"On May 29, 2020, the pickup was found almost totally submerged approximately 1 mile downstream from where it entered the [Pedernales River at Goehmann Lane southeast of Fredericksburg, Texas]. On May 30, 2020, the darkroom, which had separated, intact, from the vehicle, was found approximately 11 miles downstream from where it entered the river. Both were recovered May 30, 2020 by the licensee and will be transported to one of their licensed facilities on May 31, 2020. Neither the exposure device nor the overpack in which it was stored in the darkroom were in the vehicle or darkroom. The licensee has attempted to continue search operations to locate the device, but the river levels and water current are prohibitive at this time. They will continue the search as conditions permit, which will improve as the water recedes. Media and public attention are increasing. The Agency has released and the county will release statements (press releases). Exposure risk is still considered low at this time."

In the update email a correction has been made in that the device is an INC IR100 and not a SPEC 150 as previously reported. The source information remains the same.

Notified R4DO (Werner), ILTAB (Clark), IRD (Kennedy), INES (Milligan), NMSS (Williams), NMSS Events Notification (email), CNSNS (email)

* * * UPDATE ON 5/31/2020 AT 1933 EDT FROM KAREN BLANCHARD TO BRIAN P. SMITH * * *

The following updated information was received from the Texas Department of State Health Services (the Agency) via email:

"The device has been found on the riverbank and recovered by the licensee approximately 13 miles from where the truck entered the river. It was still secured inside the overpack container. No exposures to any member of the public."

Notified R4DO (Werner), ILTAB (Clark), IRD (Kennedy), INES (Milligan), NMSS (Williams), NMSS Events Notification (email), CNSNS (email), DHS SWO, DOE Operations Center, FEMA Operations Center, HHS Operations Center, USDA Operations Center, EPA Emergency Operations Center, DHS CISA IOCC Watch Officer, FDA Emergency Operations Center (email), Nuclear SSA (email), FEMA National Watch Center (email) and DNDO Joint Analysis Center (email).

* * * UPDATE ON 6/3/2020 AT 0904 EDT FROM KAREN BLANCHARD TO THOMAS KENDZIA * * *

The following updated information was received from the Texas Department of State Health Services (the Agency) via email:

"GPS coordinate mapping has provided more accurate information on the locations of the truck, darkroom, and industrial radiography device recovery locations. From the bridge where the truck entered the water: the truck was located within 1 mile, the radiography device was approximately 8.5 miles and the darkroom was approximately 9.9 miles."

Notified R4DO (Proulx), ILTAB (Clark), IRD (Gott), INES (Milligan), NMSS (Rivera-Capella), NMSS (Williams), NMSS Events Notification (email), CNSNS (email), DHS SWO, DOE Operations Center, FEMA Operations Center, HHS Operations Center, USDA Operations Center, EPA Emergency Operations Center, DHS CISA IOCC Watch Officer, FDA Emergency Operations Center (email), Nuclear SSA (email), FEMA National Watch Center (email) and DNDO Joint Analysis Center (email).

THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "CATEGORY 2" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

Category 2 sources, if not safely managed or securely protected, could cause permanent injury to a person who handled them, or were otherwise in contact with them, for a short time (minutes to hours). It could possibly be fatal to be close to this amount of unshielded radioactive material for a period of hours to days. These sources are typically used in practices such as industrial gamma radiography, high dose rate brachytherapy and medium dose rate brachytherapy. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf

Agreement State Event Number: 54732
Rep Org: ILLINOIS EMERGENCY MGMT. AGENCY
Licensee: Global Brass and Copper
Region: 3
City: East Alton   State: IL
County:
License #: IL-01069-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Gary Forsee
HQ OPS Officer: Thomas Herrity
Notification Date: 06/01/2020
Notification Time: 10:09 [ET]
Event Date: 05/30/2020
Event Time: 07:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 06/01/2020
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
LAURA KOZAK (R3DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DAMAGED GAUGE

The following information was received via E-mail:

"At approximately 1420 CDT on Saturday, May 30, 2020, the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) for Global Brass and Copper, Inc., d/b/a Olin Brass, IL-01069-01 contacted the Agency [Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA)] to advise that a SU-S3 fixed gauge containing 1 Ci of Am-241 was damaged on a process line. The source assembly was somehow separated from the fixed gauge housing and fell onto surrounding equipment in an unshielded position. Workers immediately withdrew and fire/safety and security staff cordoned off the area with Radioactive Material (RAM) signage. Reportedly, this incident happened at approximately 0700 CDT on the morning of May 30, 2020. The licensee was attempting to contact their consultant and the manufacturer for assistance.

"Agency staff responded to the facility to assist in securing the source, assess for removable contamination, and to evaluate any potential exposures to workers. IEMA arrived on site at approximately 1600 CDT on May 30, 2020. IEMA evaluated airflow, took surveys, and established a recovery plan with site security/safety and the RSO. Exposure rates were approximately 170 mR/hour at one foot. Exposure rates were approximately background at the RAM signage/cordon. Remote handling tools were used to place the source in a pig owned by the licensee. The source was then secured within the licensee's RAM storage safe. Exposure rates around the properly secured safe were approximately 20 microR/hour. Wipes were taken of the area, the damaged gauge housing, and the process equipment. No removable contamination was identified. Discussions concerning worker proximity and time in place after the source became dislodged indicate no exposures exceeding regulatory limits.

"IEMA is awaiting a return phone call on June 1, 2020 for additional source details, results of leak tests and availability of the manufacturer to respond and evaluate."

Event Report ID No.: IL200009

Power Reactor Event Number: 54741
Facility: Grand Gulf
Region: 4     State: MS
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] GE-6
NRC Notified By: Jason Overcash
HQ OPS Officer: Jeffrey Whited
Notification Date: 06/08/2020
Notification Time: 01:08 [ET]
Event Date: 06/07/2020
Event Time: 22:38 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 06/08/2020
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - Offsite Notification
Person (Organization):
DAVID PROULX (R4DO)
Unit SCRAM Code RX Crit Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
1 N Y 78 Power Operation 78 Power Operation

Event Text

OFFSITE NOTIFICATION - EMERGENCY SIREN FAILURE

"On June 7, 2020, at 2238 CDT Grand Gulf Nuclear Station (GGNS) was notified by Claiborne County that one Emergency Notification Siren located on US Hwy 61 South had actuated. Claiborne County was informed that no emergency exists at GGNS.

"The alarming siren has since been secured.

"Notification is being provided to the NRC in regards to the potential for media inquiry.

"The licensee informed the NRC Resident Inspector."

Power Reactor Event Number: 54742
Facility: Summer
Region: 2     State: SC
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] W-3-LP,[2] W-AP1000,[3] W-AP1000
NRC Notified By: Nick Okimosh
HQ OPS Officer: Howie Crouch
Notification Date: 06/08/2020
Notification Time: 18:52 [ET]
Event Date: 06/08/2020
Event Time: 13:55 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 06/08/2020
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - Offsite Notification
Person (Organization):
MARK MILLER (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

Event Text

OFFSITE NOTIFICATION - TRANSMISSION FLUID SPILL

"At 1725 EDT on 6/8/2020, V.C. Summer Nuclear Station reported a transmission fluid spill to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. The spill was the result of a hydraulic hose leak during equipment testing. This spill did not violate any NRC regulations or reporting criteria. This notification is being made solely as a four-hour, non-emergency notification for a Notification of Other Government Agency. This event is reportable in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi).

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

"The spill resulted in 1 - 2 ounces of transmission fluid being released into the Monticello Reservoir."

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, March 24, 2021