Event Notification Report for November 30, 2020
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
11/29/2020 - 11/30/2020
Agreement State
Event Number: 55018
Rep Org: WA OFFICE OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: Hayre McElory & Associates
Region: 4
City: Redmond State: WA
County:
License #: WN-I0566-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Steve Matthews
HQ OPS Officer: Solomon Sahle
Licensee: Hayre McElory & Associates
Region: 4
City: Redmond State: WA
County:
License #: WN-I0566-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Steve Matthews
HQ OPS Officer: Solomon Sahle
Notification Date: 12/02/2020
Notification Time: 17:48 [ET]
Event Date: 11/30/2020
Event Time: 00:00 [PST]
Last Update Date: 12/02/2020
Notification Time: 17:48 [ET]
Event Date: 11/30/2020
Event Time: 00:00 [PST]
Last Update Date: 12/02/2020
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
HEATHER GEPFORD (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
HEATHER GEPFORD (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - PORTABLE DENSITY GUAGE RUN OVER
The following was received from the State of Washington via email:
"On Monday, November 30, 2020, at a construction site at 2800 MLK Jr South, Seattle, WA, a density gauge was run over by a mini dozer. The source was extended and in use at the time. When the device was run over, the handle that is used to extend and retract the source rod broke off from the gauge completely, leading to concern that the source rod had also broken off. Personnel on site were evacuated and the area secured.
"Because of the concern that the source rod had broken off, it was necessary to wait until a licensed entity that had the ability to handle the unshielded source arrived on site to continue recovery operations. Also, shortly after the incident, Northwest Technical Services (NTS), was hired for remedial action.
"When NTS personnel arrived, they were able to determine that the source rod had not detached as feared. A leak test to check the integrity of the source revealed no leakage and the source rod was able to be retracted back into the shielded gauge. Radiation readings and additional leak tests in the area were conducted to ensure there were no remaining safety concerns. There were none.
"The damaged source was taken to Northwest Technical Services in Snohomish, WA and has been secured while awaiting disposal."
Washington Incident Number: WA-20-026.
The following was received from the State of Washington via email:
"On Monday, November 30, 2020, at a construction site at 2800 MLK Jr South, Seattle, WA, a density gauge was run over by a mini dozer. The source was extended and in use at the time. When the device was run over, the handle that is used to extend and retract the source rod broke off from the gauge completely, leading to concern that the source rod had also broken off. Personnel on site were evacuated and the area secured.
"Because of the concern that the source rod had broken off, it was necessary to wait until a licensed entity that had the ability to handle the unshielded source arrived on site to continue recovery operations. Also, shortly after the incident, Northwest Technical Services (NTS), was hired for remedial action.
"When NTS personnel arrived, they were able to determine that the source rod had not detached as feared. A leak test to check the integrity of the source revealed no leakage and the source rod was able to be retracted back into the shielded gauge. Radiation readings and additional leak tests in the area were conducted to ensure there were no remaining safety concerns. There were none.
"The damaged source was taken to Northwest Technical Services in Snohomish, WA and has been secured while awaiting disposal."
Washington Incident Number: WA-20-026.
Power Reactor
Event Number: 55012
Facility: River Bend
Region: 4 State: LA
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] GE-6
NRC Notified By: Kevin Doiron
HQ OPS Officer: Solomon Sahle
Region: 4 State: LA
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] GE-6
NRC Notified By: Kevin Doiron
HQ OPS Officer: Solomon Sahle
Notification Date: 11/30/2020
Notification Time: 14:16 [ET]
Event Date: 11/30/2020
Event Time: 07:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 11/30/2020
Notification Time: 14:16 [ET]
Event Date: 11/30/2020
Event Time: 07:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 11/30/2020
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
26.719 - Fitness For Duty
10 CFR Section:
26.719 - Fitness For Duty
Person (Organization):
HEATHER GEPFORD (R4DO)
FFD GROUP (EMAIL)
HEATHER GEPFORD (R4DO)
FFD GROUP (EMAIL)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation |
FITNESS FOR DUTY REPORT
A non-licensed employee supervisor had a confirmed positive for a controlled substance. The employee's access to the plant has been terminated.
The licensee informed the NRC Resident Inspector.
A non-licensed employee supervisor had a confirmed positive for a controlled substance. The employee's access to the plant has been terminated.
The licensee informed the NRC Resident Inspector.
Agreement State
Event Number: 55016
Rep Org: ILLINOIS EMERGENCY MGMT. AGENCY
Licensee: Sterigenics U.S., LLC
Region: 3
City: Schuamburg State: IL
County:
License #: IL-01220-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Robin Muzzalupo
HQ OPS Officer: Donald Norwood
Licensee: Sterigenics U.S., LLC
Region: 3
City: Schuamburg State: IL
County:
License #: IL-01220-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Robin Muzzalupo
HQ OPS Officer: Donald Norwood
Notification Date: 12/01/2020
Notification Time: 16:35 [ET]
Event Date: 11/30/2020
Event Time: 00:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/01/2020
Notification Time: 16:35 [ET]
Event Date: 11/30/2020
Event Time: 00:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/01/2020
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
BILLY DICKSON (R3DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
BILLY DICKSON (R3DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STUCK IRRADIATOR SOURCE RACK
The following information was received via E-mail:
"The Agency [Illinois Emergency Management Agency] was contacted on 12/1/20 by Sterigenics U.S., LLC to advise that one of their pool irradiator source racks at the Schaumburg location had become stuck in the unshielded position on 11/30/20. The source rack, containing approximately 1.3 MCi of Co-60, was successfully returned to the shielded position and no exposures to personnel or the public resulted. All safety interlocks functioned as designed. This event did not result in any compromises to source security or to any safety or security systems. There is no indication of intentional misuse, theft or diversion at this time.
"On 12/1/2020, the Agency was contacted by the Radiation Safety Officer for Sterigenics U.S., LLC, to advise that in the middle of performing scheduled routine safety checks on 11/30/2020, authorized engineers reported that the east source rack failed to return to the shielded position as designed upon completion of a check. The west source rack lowered as designed without incident. Sources contained in the east source rack remained unshielded from approximately 1400 CST until 1648 CST. The event was immediately reported to the Radiation Safety Officer by the two authorized engineers performing the safety checks that day. The Radiation Safety Officer immediately responded to the site to assist in assessment and formulation of an action plan. After consultation with the Corporate Radiation Safety Officer, the Radiation Safety Officer and staff engineers were able to use a hand winch to successfully lower the rack of sources into the shielded position within the pool. Safety and security systems remain operational and functioned as designed throughout the source lowering process. There is no immediate hazard to workers or members of the public as a result of this incident.
"This morning [12/1/2020], source modules were removed without incident from the east source rack and are currently shielded and in safe storage at the bottom of the pool. Sterigenics staff are continuing their investigation into the cause for the stuck rack. All interlocks and safety systems were reported as operational. An action plan was formulated in conjunction with Corporate staff to safely and slowly raise the empty east rack using a hand winch so that it can be adequately inspected. IEMA staff will follow up later this afternoon for an update.
"A reactive inspection by inspectors is planned for later this week."
Illinois Reference Number: IL200024
The following information was received via E-mail:
"The Agency [Illinois Emergency Management Agency] was contacted on 12/1/20 by Sterigenics U.S., LLC to advise that one of their pool irradiator source racks at the Schaumburg location had become stuck in the unshielded position on 11/30/20. The source rack, containing approximately 1.3 MCi of Co-60, was successfully returned to the shielded position and no exposures to personnel or the public resulted. All safety interlocks functioned as designed. This event did not result in any compromises to source security or to any safety or security systems. There is no indication of intentional misuse, theft or diversion at this time.
"On 12/1/2020, the Agency was contacted by the Radiation Safety Officer for Sterigenics U.S., LLC, to advise that in the middle of performing scheduled routine safety checks on 11/30/2020, authorized engineers reported that the east source rack failed to return to the shielded position as designed upon completion of a check. The west source rack lowered as designed without incident. Sources contained in the east source rack remained unshielded from approximately 1400 CST until 1648 CST. The event was immediately reported to the Radiation Safety Officer by the two authorized engineers performing the safety checks that day. The Radiation Safety Officer immediately responded to the site to assist in assessment and formulation of an action plan. After consultation with the Corporate Radiation Safety Officer, the Radiation Safety Officer and staff engineers were able to use a hand winch to successfully lower the rack of sources into the shielded position within the pool. Safety and security systems remain operational and functioned as designed throughout the source lowering process. There is no immediate hazard to workers or members of the public as a result of this incident.
"This morning [12/1/2020], source modules were removed without incident from the east source rack and are currently shielded and in safe storage at the bottom of the pool. Sterigenics staff are continuing their investigation into the cause for the stuck rack. All interlocks and safety systems were reported as operational. An action plan was formulated in conjunction with Corporate staff to safely and slowly raise the empty east rack using a hand winch so that it can be adequately inspected. IEMA staff will follow up later this afternoon for an update.
"A reactive inspection by inspectors is planned for later this week."
Illinois Reference Number: IL200024