Event Notification Report for August 31, 2021
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
08/30/2021 - 08/31/2021
Agreement State
Event Number: 55442
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
Licensee: Midwest NDT Services
Region: 4
City: Pharr State: TX
County:
License #: L 07043
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Arthur L Tucker
HQ OPS Officer: Joanna Bridge
Licensee: Midwest NDT Services
Region: 4
City: Pharr State: TX
County:
License #: L 07043
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Arthur L Tucker
HQ OPS Officer: Joanna Bridge
Notification Date: 08/31/2021
Notification Time: 17:53 [ET]
Event Date: 08/31/2021
Event Time: 00:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 09/02/2021
Notification Time: 17:53 [ET]
Event Date: 08/31/2021
Event Time: 00:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 09/02/2021
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
JOSEY, JEFFREY (R4)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION, (EMAIL)
JOSEY, JEFFREY (R4)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION, (EMAIL)
EN Revision Imported Date: 10/1/2021
EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE - UNABLE TO RETRACT SOURCE
The following was received from the State of Texas (the Agency) via e-mail:
"On August 31, 2021, the Agency was contacted by the licensee and informed that they could not retract a 70 Curie, iridium - 192 source into an INC IR100 exposure device. The licensee stated they were working at a fab shop and could not retract the source back into the camera. The licensee did not believe a disconnect had occurred. The licensee stated a 2 millirem barrier was in place. The licensee stated they did not have anyone on its license to retract the source and requested the Agency's assistance in location a qualified company to retrieve the source. The licensee stated it contacted the manufacturer and it stated they could not assist them. The Agency provided them with the contact information of another manufacturer. The licensee contacted the other manufacturer, but it did not offer immediate assistance. The licensee told the Agency that one of its radiographers had received the training for retracting sources but was never added to the license. The licensee was given the contact information for the Agency's licensing group to see if the individual could be added to the license for source retrieval. At 1515 [CDT] the licensee reported the licensing group was able to accept the radiographer's training and amended the license for the retrieval. The licensee stated the individual qualified to retrieve the source was leaving for the site to perform the retrieval. The licensee will contact the agency when the source is retrieved. Additional information has been requested. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA - 300.
Texas Incident No.: 9881
* * * UPDATE ON 8/31/21 AT 2237 EDT FROM ARTHUR TUCKER TO JOANNA BRIDGE * * *
The following was received from the State of Texas (the Agency) via e-mail:
"The licensee just reported the individual who will perform the recovery has just landed in Midland, Texas and will head to the site. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."
Notified R4DO (Josey) and NMSS via e-mail.
* * * UPDATE ON 8/31/21 AT 2351 EDT FROM ARTHUR TUCKER TO BRIAN P. SMITH * * *
The following was received from the State of Texas (the Agency) via e-mail:
"On August 31, 2021 at 2040 CDT the licensee reported that the source had been recovered to the fully shielded position. The individual who performed the recovery received 190 millirem. The licensee stated the exposure device and associated equipment will returned to the storage location and examined. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."
Notified R4DO (Josey) and NMSS via e-mail.
* * * UPDATE ON 9/2/21 AT 1548 EDT FROM ARTHUR TUCKER TO JOANNA BRIDGE * * *
The following was received from the State of Texas (the Agency) via e-mail:
"On September 2, 2021, the licensee contacted the Agency to find out where to send the written report. During the conversation the licensee stated, 'just for your information it appears that the connector spring was malfunctioning as the spring did not engage until about halfway depressed. [The licensee] talked with INC corporate [Radiation Safety Officer] (RSO) and the source will be sent to INC for failure analysis.' The Agency asked if that meant that the spring had disconnected and they stated that it had. The Agency stated that the initial report did not reflect that. [The licensee] stated he knew that and that he had misunderstood what the radiographer had told him over the phone. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."
Notified R4DO (Josey) and NMSS via e-mail.
EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE - UNABLE TO RETRACT SOURCE
The following was received from the State of Texas (the Agency) via e-mail:
"On August 31, 2021, the Agency was contacted by the licensee and informed that they could not retract a 70 Curie, iridium - 192 source into an INC IR100 exposure device. The licensee stated they were working at a fab shop and could not retract the source back into the camera. The licensee did not believe a disconnect had occurred. The licensee stated a 2 millirem barrier was in place. The licensee stated they did not have anyone on its license to retract the source and requested the Agency's assistance in location a qualified company to retrieve the source. The licensee stated it contacted the manufacturer and it stated they could not assist them. The Agency provided them with the contact information of another manufacturer. The licensee contacted the other manufacturer, but it did not offer immediate assistance. The licensee told the Agency that one of its radiographers had received the training for retracting sources but was never added to the license. The licensee was given the contact information for the Agency's licensing group to see if the individual could be added to the license for source retrieval. At 1515 [CDT] the licensee reported the licensing group was able to accept the radiographer's training and amended the license for the retrieval. The licensee stated the individual qualified to retrieve the source was leaving for the site to perform the retrieval. The licensee will contact the agency when the source is retrieved. Additional information has been requested. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA - 300.
Texas Incident No.: 9881
* * * UPDATE ON 8/31/21 AT 2237 EDT FROM ARTHUR TUCKER TO JOANNA BRIDGE * * *
The following was received from the State of Texas (the Agency) via e-mail:
"The licensee just reported the individual who will perform the recovery has just landed in Midland, Texas and will head to the site. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."
Notified R4DO (Josey) and NMSS via e-mail.
* * * UPDATE ON 8/31/21 AT 2351 EDT FROM ARTHUR TUCKER TO BRIAN P. SMITH * * *
The following was received from the State of Texas (the Agency) via e-mail:
"On August 31, 2021 at 2040 CDT the licensee reported that the source had been recovered to the fully shielded position. The individual who performed the recovery received 190 millirem. The licensee stated the exposure device and associated equipment will returned to the storage location and examined. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."
Notified R4DO (Josey) and NMSS via e-mail.
* * * UPDATE ON 9/2/21 AT 1548 EDT FROM ARTHUR TUCKER TO JOANNA BRIDGE * * *
The following was received from the State of Texas (the Agency) via e-mail:
"On September 2, 2021, the licensee contacted the Agency to find out where to send the written report. During the conversation the licensee stated, 'just for your information it appears that the connector spring was malfunctioning as the spring did not engage until about halfway depressed. [The licensee] talked with INC corporate [Radiation Safety Officer] (RSO) and the source will be sent to INC for failure analysis.' The Agency asked if that meant that the spring had disconnected and they stated that it had. The Agency stated that the initial report did not reflect that. [The licensee] stated he knew that and that he had misunderstood what the radiographer had told him over the phone. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."
Notified R4DO (Josey) and NMSS via e-mail.
Power Reactor
Event Number: 55443
Facility: Waterford
Region: 4 State: LA
Unit: [3] [] []
RX Type: [3] CE
NRC Notified By: John Lewis
HQ OPS Officer: Brian Lin
Region: 4 State: LA
Unit: [3] [] []
RX Type: [3] CE
NRC Notified By: John Lewis
HQ OPS Officer: Brian Lin
Notification Date: 08/31/2021
Notification Time: 20:52 [ET]
Event Date: 08/31/2021
Event Time: 13:40 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/31/2021
Notification Time: 20:52 [ET]
Event Date: 08/31/2021
Event Time: 13:40 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/31/2021
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - Loss Comm/Asmt/Response
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - Loss Comm/Asmt/Response
Person (Organization):
JOSEY, JEFFREY (R4)
JOSEY, JEFFREY (R4)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | N | N | 0 | Cold Shutdown | 0 | Cold Shutdown |
EN Revision Imported Date: 9/30/2021
EN Revision Text: LOSS OF COMMUNICATIONS CAPABILITY
At 1340 CDT on August 31, 2021, Waterford 3 Nuclear Generating Station discovered a condition impacting functionality of the ENS and commercial telephone lines. This issue was evaluated and determined to be a major loss of communications capability because the condition affected the ability to directly communicate between the NRC and the Control Room. Satellite phone capability was established at 1410 CDT. Additional communication capability was restored at 1609 CDT. Communication capability via the Emergency Notification System (ENS) was reestablished at 1923 CDT.
This condition does not affect the health and safety of the public or plant personnel.
The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified.
EN Revision Text: LOSS OF COMMUNICATIONS CAPABILITY
At 1340 CDT on August 31, 2021, Waterford 3 Nuclear Generating Station discovered a condition impacting functionality of the ENS and commercial telephone lines. This issue was evaluated and determined to be a major loss of communications capability because the condition affected the ability to directly communicate between the NRC and the Control Room. Satellite phone capability was established at 1410 CDT. Additional communication capability was restored at 1609 CDT. Communication capability via the Emergency Notification System (ENS) was reestablished at 1923 CDT.
This condition does not affect the health and safety of the public or plant personnel.
The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified.
Power Reactor
Event Number: 55444
Facility: Palo Verde
Region: 4 State: AZ
Unit: [1] [2] [3]
RX Type: [1] CE,[2] CE,[3] CE
NRC Notified By: Mark Bussell
HQ OPS Officer: Brian P. Smith
Region: 4 State: AZ
Unit: [1] [2] [3]
RX Type: [1] CE,[2] CE,[3] CE
NRC Notified By: Mark Bussell
HQ OPS Officer: Brian P. Smith
Notification Date: 09/01/2021
Notification Time: 03:07 [ET]
Event Date: 08/31/2021
Event Time: 20:50 [MST]
Last Update Date: 09/01/2021
Notification Time: 03:07 [ET]
Event Date: 08/31/2021
Event Time: 20:50 [MST]
Last Update Date: 09/01/2021
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - Loss Comm/Asmt/Response
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - Loss Comm/Asmt/Response
Person (Organization):
JOSEY, JEFFREY (R4)
JOSEY, JEFFREY (R4)
| 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 |
EN Revision Imported Date: 9/30/2021
EN Revision Text: LOSS OF SEISMIC MONITORING SYSTEM
"The following event description is based on information currently available. If through subsequent reviews of this event additional information is identified that is pertinent to this event or alters the information being provided at this time a follow-up notification will be made via the ENS or under the reporting requirements of 10 CFR 50.73.
"On 8/31/21 at 2050 [MST], the Seismic Monitoring System was discovered Non-Functional. This constitutes an unplanned loss of emergency assessment capability for an operational basis earthquake. There is currently no seismic activity in the area according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
"The NRC Resident Inspector was notified of the loss of seismic monitoring capability."
EN Revision Text: LOSS OF SEISMIC MONITORING SYSTEM
"The following event description is based on information currently available. If through subsequent reviews of this event additional information is identified that is pertinent to this event or alters the information being provided at this time a follow-up notification will be made via the ENS or under the reporting requirements of 10 CFR 50.73.
"On 8/31/21 at 2050 [MST], the Seismic Monitoring System was discovered Non-Functional. This constitutes an unplanned loss of emergency assessment capability for an operational basis earthquake. There is currently no seismic activity in the area according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
"The NRC Resident Inspector was notified of the loss of seismic monitoring capability."
Agreement State
Event Number: 55439
Rep Org: SC DEPT OF HEALTH & ENV CONTROL
Licensee: S&ME
Region: 1
City: Mt. Pleasant State: SC
County:
License #: 324
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Andrew M. Roxburgh
HQ OPS Officer: Joanna Bridge
Licensee: S&ME
Region: 1
City: Mt. Pleasant State: SC
County:
License #: 324
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Andrew M. Roxburgh
HQ OPS Officer: Joanna Bridge
Notification Date: 08/31/2021
Notification Time: 13:00 [ET]
Event Date: 08/31/2021
Event Time: 12:15 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/03/2021
Notification Time: 13:00 [ET]
Event Date: 08/31/2021
Event Time: 12:15 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/03/2021
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
DIMITRIADIS, ANTHONY (R1)
ILTAB, (EMAIL)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION, (EMAIL)
DIMITRIADIS, ANTHONY (R1)
ILTAB, (EMAIL)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION, (EMAIL)
EN Revision Imported Date: 10/1/2021
EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE - STOLEN TROXLER GAUGE
The following was received from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (the Department) via e-mail:
"On August 31, 2021, the Department was notified by the licensee's RSO at approximately 1230 EDT that one of its trucks containing a portable density gauge had been stolen from the side of the road on Meeting Street in Charleston, SC. The gauge was a Troxler Model 3440 s/n 38444 containing 8 mCi of Cs-137 and 40 mCi of Am-241:Be. The licensee stated the police have been to the scene and took a police report. The truck is equipped with GPS and an active investigation is underway."
* * * UPDATE ON 9/3/2021 AT 0730 EDT FROM ANDREW ROXBURGH TO HOWIE CROUCH * * *
The following information was received from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control via e-mail:
"On August 31, 2021 at 1555 EDT, officers apprehended the suspect that stole the licensee's truck containing Troxler Model 3440 s/n 38444. The gauge was recovered undamaged and a radiation surveys performed indicated that radiation readings were within the limits specified in the SSD [sealed source and device sheet] for this gauge.
"The Department's on-call duty officer performed an on-site investigation on September 1, 2021."
Notified R1DO (Dimitriadis), NMSS Events Resource and ILTAB via email.
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
EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE - STOLEN TROXLER GAUGE
The following was received from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (the Department) via e-mail:
"On August 31, 2021, the Department was notified by the licensee's RSO at approximately 1230 EDT that one of its trucks containing a portable density gauge had been stolen from the side of the road on Meeting Street in Charleston, SC. The gauge was a Troxler Model 3440 s/n 38444 containing 8 mCi of Cs-137 and 40 mCi of Am-241:Be. The licensee stated the police have been to the scene and took a police report. The truck is equipped with GPS and an active investigation is underway."
* * * UPDATE ON 9/3/2021 AT 0730 EDT FROM ANDREW ROXBURGH TO HOWIE CROUCH * * *
The following information was received from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control via e-mail:
"On August 31, 2021 at 1555 EDT, officers apprehended the suspect that stole the licensee's truck containing Troxler Model 3440 s/n 38444. The gauge was recovered undamaged and a radiation surveys performed indicated that radiation readings were within the limits specified in the SSD [sealed source and device sheet] for this gauge.
"The Department's on-call duty officer performed an on-site investigation on September 1, 2021."
Notified R1DO (Dimitriadis), NMSS Events Resource and ILTAB via email.
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