Event Notification Report for September 01, 2020

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Operations Center Event Reports For 8/31/2020 - 9/1/2020 ** EVENT NUMBERS **

 

54850

54851

54852

54853

54854

54867

54870

Non-Agreement State	Event Number: 54850
Rep Org: Uniformed Services University Licensee: Uniformed Services University Region: 1 City: Bethesda   State: MD County: License #: 19-23344-02 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: Brian Champaine HQ OPS Officer: Brian P. Smith	Notification Date: 08/21/2020 Notification Time: 13:03 [ET] Event Date: 08/18/2020 Event Time: 19:00 [EDT] Last Update Date: 08/21/2020
Emergency Class: Non Emergency 10 CFR Section: 20.2202(b)(1) - Pers Overexposure/Tede >= 5 Rem	Person (Organization): JONATHAN GREIVES (R1DO) KELLEE JAMERSON (NMSS DAY) NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)

Event Text

POTENTIAL OVEREXPOSURE RESULTING IN BURN The following is a summary from a phone call with the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) at Uniformed Services University of Health Services: At the Uniformed Services University of Health Services, a research individual, authorized to operate the self-shielded CO-60 irradiator, last operated the irradiator on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at 1900 EDT. On Wednesday, August 19, 2020, she experienced a burn on her left hand and went to the hospital believing it to be from a radiation overexposure. From information she received at the hospital, in order for her to have received that burn from a radiation overexposure the dose equivalent would have to be estimated to be 600R. The RSO does not believe that to be the case since the highest surveyed area both before and after the event where her hand could have come in contact was a thin pipe reading 150mR/hour on contact. The individual has been in contact with her physician, fingernail samples have been sent out for analysis, the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS) has been contacted by both the individual and the RSO, and her TLD has been sent out for analysis. The site has taken the machine out-of-service until more information can be collected. The RSO had been in contact with specialists in Region 1.

Agreement State	Event Number: 54851
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES Licensee: Orion Marine Construction Inc. Region: 4 City: Corpus Christi   State: TX County: License #: L 06473 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: Arthur Tucker HQ OPS Officer: Andrew Waugh	Notification Date: 08/21/2020 Notification Time: 15:08 [ET] Event Date: 08/21/2020 Event Time: 08:00 [CDT] Last Update Date: 08/27/2020
Emergency Class: Non Emergency 10 CFR Section: Agreement State	Person (Organization): NICK TAYLOR (R4DO) KELLEE JAMERSON (NMSS DAY) NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)

Event Text

EN Revision Imported Date : 8/28/2020 EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - NUCLEAR GAUGE ENGULFED DURING FIRE The following information was received from the Texas Department of State Health Services (the Agency) via email: "On August 21, 2020, at 1307 CDT the Agency was notified by the licensee consultant (LC) that a fire was burning on one of its dredges off the coast Corpus Christi, Texas. The LC stated the drudge had a 250 milliCurie (original activity) [Cs-137] source in a Berthold model 7440 nuclear gauge installed on a pipe for density measurement. The LC did not have any other information on the location, but knew the dredge was in between 40 and 50 feet of water. The LC stated that the personnel on board were fighting the fire. The LC stated they believed that the gauge would be engulfed by the fire. The LC stated they would supply additional information once the fire is out and they have a chance to inspect the equipment. "At 1553 CDT the LC contacted the Agency and stated the dredge workers were able to take dose rate reading about two feet from the gauge and the reading was 26 millirem per hour. The LC stated that the steel was still too hot to stay very long in the area. The LC stated (when asked) that they believe the fire is out. The LC stated the current priority on the drudge was locating several missing individuals. The LC stated they directed personnel on the drudge to take a contamination survey on the gauge as soon as possible. The LC stated the gauge source serial number was 0025-06. "A search of news sources in Corpus Christi, Texas by the Agency found that a barge had struck an underwater natural gas line at a facility in Corpus Christy, Texas. This information was verified by the licensee's LC. The news reports stated the event occurred at about 0800 CDT. The report stated that the Texas Division of Emergency Management and Texas Department of Public Safety personnel are on the ground to provide support, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is monitoring air quality in the area. The United States Coast Guard is assisting in the fire fighting and search for individuals. The name of the drudge involved was provided in several reports. The Agency contacted the LC verified the ship was owned by the licensee. This information was verified by the Agency by reviewing four different news sources. "Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300." Texas Incident Number: 9784 * * * UPDATE ON 8/21/20 AT 2337 EDT FROM ARTHUR TUCKER TO ANDREW WAUGH * * * The following information was received from the Texas Department of State Health Services (the Agency) via email: "On August 21, 2020, at 2200 CDT, the Agency was notified by the LC that the drudge has sunk. The drudge is believed to be in 45-50 feet of water on its starboard (stbd) side. The gauge is located on the stbd side of the vessel and the shutter was in the open position. The LC stated that after talking to the radiation safety officer who is at the location the LC stated the dose rate they were able to take earlier today and was reported as 26 mR/hr at 2 feet was 26 mR/hr at 6 feet. A request for the composition of the source material has been made to the manufacturer. The search for four missing persons continues and is the current priority." Notified R4DO (Taylor), NMSS (Jamerson), and NMSS Events Notifications (email). * * * UPDATE ON 8/22/20 AT 0915 EDT FROM ARTHUR TUCKER TO THOMAS KENDZIA * * * The following information was received from the Texas Department of State Health Services (the Agency) via email: "On August 22, 2020 the manufacturer confirmed the source involved in this event is made of ceramic source material and is double encapsulated." Follow-up phone call to the Agency confirmed that the fire is out and the LC and the RSO are working on a recovery plan. First priority remains the search for the four missing persons. Notified R4DO (Taylor), NMSS (Jamerson), and NMSS Events Notifications (email). * * * UPDATE ON 8/23/20 AT 1444 EDT FROM ARTHUR TUCKER TO ANDREW WAUGH * * * The following information was received from the Texas Department of State Health Services (the Agency) via email: "The Agency has contacted the licensee's radiation safety officer (RSO) and received the following information. The RSO stated that before the vessel sank a hazmat crew was able to get eyes on the gauge. The hazmat team stated the gauge did not appear to have been damaged by the fire. The area around the gauge also did not appear to have been damaged by the fire. The RSO stated the current plan is to raise the vessel, survey the gauge, and close the shutter. The RSO stated they would send a written report providing additional information." Notified R4DO (Taylor), NMSS (Jamerson), and NMSS Events Notifications (email). * * * UPDATE ON 8/24/20 AT 2209 EDT FROM ARTHUR TUCKER TO ANDREW WAUGH * * * The following information was received from the Texas Department of State Health Services (the Agency) via email: "The Agency contacted the licensee's consultant (LC) on August 24, 2020, and requested an update on the event. The consultant stated he had received a written report completed by the licensee's RSO for his review. The LC stated he is on vacation but hoped to forward it to the Agency today. As of the writing of this update the report has not been received by the Agency. The LC stated they had a contractor in place to retrieve the vessel. Once raised the plan is to inspect the gauge, perform surveys of the gauge, and close the shutter. The raising of the vessel is not scheduled to take place until next week or the week after that due to difficulties getting the needed equipment in place. In addition, the local weather may hamper recovery activities." Notified R4DO (Kellar) and NMSS Events Notifications (email). * * * UPDATE ON 8/25/20 AT 2046 EDT FROM ARTHUR TUCKER TO BRIAN LIN * * * The following information was received from the Texas Department of State Health Services (the Agency) via email: "On August 25, 2020, the Agency received the following information from the licensee's radiation safety officer: 'We do not have the equipment to do a deep-water survey of the radiation source. T&T our salvage contractor is ordering the equipment to do the survey of the source to insure the safety of their divers because the source has not had an up-close survey since the vessel sunk. We have taken a survey above the water and have not picked up any radioactivity.' The report from the licensee has been delayed while a review is completed. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300." Notified R4DO (Kellar) and NMSS Events Notifications (email). * * * UPDATE ON AUGUST 27, 2020 AT 1136 EDT FROM ART TUCKER TO BRIAN LIN * * * The following information was received from the Texas Department of State Health Services via email: "The licensee has confirmed that a member of a hazmat team who was able to inspect the gauge from a small boat next to the vessel prior to it sinking stated the gauge appeared undamaged, the wires leading to and from the gauge appeared to be undamaged, and that painted surfaces in the area of the gauge did not appear to be damaged by heat or the fire. The licensee stated they were unable to locate any pictures of the gauge prior to the vessel sinking. The licensee stated that their salvage contractor is ordering the equipment to do an underwater survey of the source to insure the safety of their divers because the source has not had an up-close survey since the vessel sunk. The licensee stated they have taken a survey in the water above the vessel and have not picked up any radioactivity. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300." Notified R4DO (Kellar) and NMSS Events Notifications (email).

Agreement State	Event Number: 54852
Rep Org: IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH Licensee: Sunflower Enterprises Region: 3 City: Dubuque   State: IA County: License #: 3389-1-31-FG Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: Randal S Dahlin HQ OPS Officer: Thomas Kendzia	Notification Date: 08/22/2020 Notification Time: 09:29 [ET] Event Date: 08/21/2020 Event Time: 00:00 [CDT] Last Update Date: 08/22/2020
Emergency Class: Non Emergency 10 CFR Section: Agreement State	Person (Organization): RICHARD SKOKOWSKI (R3DO) NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - BROKEN SHUTTER ON FIXED GAUGE The following was received from the Iowa Department of Public Health via email: "On Friday August 21, 2020 the registrant reported to the Iowa Department of Public Health that they had discovered, on that day, a broken shutter handle on a Berthold Technologies model LB 7440 fixed gauging device. The registrant also indicated that an outside vendor had been contacted to repair the handle. This device is located on a barge used for dredging the Mississippi River. There is no threat to the health and safety of the public. "This event will be updated in NMED once the required 30 day written report has been received."

Agreement State	Event Number: 54853
Rep Org: WA OFFICE OF RADIATION PROTECTION Licensee: Framatome Inc. Region: 4 City: Richland   State: WA County: License #: I062 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: Andrew Halloran HQ OPS Officer: Thomas Kendzia	Notification Date: 08/24/2020 Notification Time: 10:48 [ET] Event Date: 08/17/2020 Event Time: 00:00 [PDT] Last Update Date: 08/26/2020
Emergency Class: Non Emergency 10 CFR Section: Agreement State	Person (Organization): RAY KELLAR (R4DO) NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)

Event Text

EN Revision Imported Date : 8/27/2020 EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LEAKING CHECK SOURCE The following was received from the State of Washington via email: "Framatome notified the State of Washington of a leaking 5 microCi Cs-137 check source that was identified on 8/17/2020. A set of stack samples showed evidence of Cs-137 contamination, leading the Radiation Safety Officer for the licensee to contact the Radiological Safety Supervisor to investigate into the possibility of a leaking Cs-137 check source. A visibly damaged source was identified and a leak test of the source revealed 0.02 microCi of removable material. The source storage area was surveyed to determine if there was any additional contamination, but none above the licensee's limits for action was identified. The source was contained and placed in storage to be held for disposal." Washington Incident No.: WA-20-017 * * * UPDATE ON AUGUST 26, 2020 AT 1250 EDT FROM ANDREW HALLORAN TO BRIAN LIN * * * The following information was received from the State of Washington via email: "The leak test was performed in accordance with approved procedures using an instrument that was appropriate and in calibration. The source was part of a source jig used for routine instrument checks around the site. According to the Radiation Safety Officer, the source was likely damaged from impact against a hard surface during routine use." Notified R4DO (Kellar) and NMSS Events Notification (email).

Agreement State	Event Number: 54854
Rep Org: NJ RAD PROT AND REL PREVENTION PGM Licensee: Thermo Fisher Scientific Region: 1 City: Fair Lawn   State: NJ County: License #: GL Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: Richard Peros HQ OPS Officer: Andrew Waugh	Notification Date: 08/24/2020 Notification Time: 16:36 [ET] Event Date: 08/24/2020 Event Time: 00:00 [EDT] Last Update Date: 08/24/2020
Emergency Class: Non Emergency 10 CFR Section: Agreement State	Person (Organization): MATT YOUNG (R1DO) ILTAB (EMAIL) NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL) - CNSNS (MEXICO) (EMAIL)

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

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - TWO LOST SOURCES The following is a summary of information received via email: On August 24, 2020, the licensee notified the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection of two lost sealed sources. The sources had been sent from the licensee's Austin, Texas facility to their Fair Lawn, New Jersey facility, and are reported as missing by the shipper. The two sources were Ni-63 foil sources with an activity of 10 mCi each (S/N: AO-2484 and AO-5478). Each source was in a Life Technology Holdings, model Trace 1300, electron capture detector (S/N: 719420216 and 719420261). The shipper has been searching for the sources, but at this time considers them missing with little likelihood of recovery. The shipper's tracking system indicates that the sources were delivered to the licensee's Fair Lawn facility, but that location has stated they never received the sources. The address to which the sources were reportedly delivered does not exist and the person who reportedly signed for the package is unknown to the licensee. 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

Power Reactor	Event Number: 54867
Facility: Palisades Region: 3     State: MI Unit: [1] [] [] RX Type: [1] CE NRC Notified By: Barb Dotson HQ OPS Officer: Jeffrey Whited	Notification Date: 08/31/2020 Notification Time: 08:28 [ET] Event Date: 08/30/2020 Event Time: 20:40 [EDT] Last Update Date: 08/31/2020
Emergency Class: Non Emergency 10 CFR Section: 26.719 - Fitness For Duty	Person (Organization): RICHARD SKOKOWSKI (R3DO) FFD GROUP (EMAIL)

Unit

SCRAM Code

RX Crit

Initial PWR

Initial RX Mode

Current PWR

Current RX Mode

1

N

N

0

Hot Shutdown

0

Hot Shutdown

Event Text

FITNESS FOR DUTY (FFD) POLICY VIOLATION A contract employee supervisor had a confirmed positive for alcohol during a fitness-for-duty test. The employee's access to the plant has been terminated. The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

Power Reactor	Event Number: 54870
Facility: Watts Bar Region: 2     State: TN Unit: [1] [] [] RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP NRC Notified By: Mike Bruchey HQ OPS Officer: Brian Lin	Notification Date: 08/31/2020 Notification Time: 15:30 [ET] Event Date: 07/23/2020 Event Time: 09:56 [EDT] Last Update Date: 08/31/2020
Emergency Class: Non Emergency 10 CFR Section: 50.73(a)(1) - Invalid Specif System Actuation	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

60-DAY OPTIONAL TELEPHONIC NOTIFICATION FOR TWO INVALID CONTAINMENT VENTILATION ISOLATION ACTUATIONS "This 60-day telephone notification is being submitted in accordance with paragraphs 10 CFR 50.73(a)(1) and 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A) to report two invalid Containment Ventilation Isolation (CVI) actuations at Watts Bar Nuclear Plant (WBN) Unit 1. "On July 23, 2020, at 0956 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), the Train A CVI actuated due to an invalid high radiation signal from 1-RM-90-130, Containment Purge Air Exhaust Monitor. Upon investigation, the high radiation signal was caused by a failed power supply. Corrective action included replacing the power supply, 1-RM-90-130 detector, and restoring the system to service. "On August 7, 2020, at 2017 EDT, the Train A CVI actuated due to an invalid high radiation signal from 1-RM-90-130, Containment Purge Air Exhaust Monitor. Upon investigation, a small tear was identified in the foil covering the scintillation detector. This defect caused erratic indication and the system actuation. The foil was replaced and the system was restored to service. "Prior to and following the invalid high radiation alarms, all radiation monitors except 1-RM-90-130 were stable at their normal values; therefore, the CVI was invalid. Control room operators performed appropriate checks and confirmed that all required automatic actuations occurred as designed. These events were entered into the corrective action program as CR 1625135 and CR 1628904. "The NRC Resident Inspector was notified."