Event Notification Report for September 02, 2021
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
09/01/2021 - 09/02/2021
Non-Agreement State
Event Number: 55430
Rep Org: Agilent Technologies
Licensee: Agilent Technologies
Region: 1
City: Wilmington State: DE
County:
License #: 07-28762-01
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: David Bennett
HQ OPS Officer: Mike Stafford
Notification Date: 08/25/2021
Notification Time: 08:21 [ET]
Event Date: 08/24/2021
Event Time: 18:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/27/2021
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
20.2201(a)(1)(i) - Lost/Stolen LNM>1000x
Person (Organization):
GREIVES, JONATHAN (R1)
ILTAB, (EMAIL)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION, (EMAIL)
Event Text
EN Revision Imported Date: 9/2/2021
EN Revision Text: MISSING ELECTRON CAPTURE DETECTORS
The following is a summary of a phone call with the licensee:
A container in transit to the licensee was discovered to be missing from a warehouse in Elkton, Maryland. The package contained ten sealed electron capture detectors. Each detector contained 15 millicuries of Ni-63 for an aggregate amount of 150 millicuries. The licensee is in contact with the carrier and continuing to investigate.
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
* * * UPDATE ON 08/27/2021 AT 1522 EDT FROM ATNATIWOS MESHESHA TO OSSY FONT * * *
The following update was received from the Maryland Department of the Environment Radiological Health Program (MDE/RHP) via email:
"On August 26, 2021, at about 0825 EDT, the Maryland Department of the Environment Radiological Health Program (MDE/RHP) was contacted via telephone by the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) of Agilent Technologies, Inc., located at 2850 Centerville Road, Wilmington, Delaware 19808, stating that ten (10) radioactive materials were lost during transportation. The MDE/RHP spoke to the RSO who stated that Agilent Technologies, Inc. lost ten (10) Electron Capture Detectors (ECD), Model 2397 which contain nickel-63 sealed sources with estimated nominal activities of 15 millicuries. The ECDs are to be used in applications for chromatography, ion generators. The sources were manufactured on January 12, 2021, and the products are registered under NRC Sealed Source and Device Registry for the finished product, G2397A as Generally Licensed materials.
"The case has been reported to the NRC (Event Number 55430) by the RSO of the company. Agilent Technologies, Inc. is licensed by the NRC to conduct research and development as defined in 10 CFR 30.4, manufacture, test with authorized sources of H-3 and Ni-63 as per Materials License number 07-28762-01 and for distributions of Generally Licensed materials, Materials License number 07-28762-02G.
"Agilent Technologies suspected that the sources were lost on Friday, August 20, 2021, or even before, and most probably at common carrier transfer station, in Maryland. Agilent Technologies' imported shipment contained the lost ten (10) Ni-63 sources that were transported by land from Chicago to Wilmington, Delaware through Maryland. The shipment is managed by a company called Kintetsu World Express, USA and [carried out by a] common carrier.
"MDE/RHP will finalize a reactive investigation."
Maryland Event No. 5
Notified R1DO (Greives), ILTAB, and NMSS Event via email.
Agreement State
Event Number: 55432
Rep Org: KANSAS DEPT OF HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT
Licensee: BRADKEN-ATCHISON
Region: 4
City: Atchison State: KS
County:
License #: 21-B092-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: David Lawrenz
HQ OPS Officer: Lloyd Desotell
Notification Date: 08/26/2021
Notification Time: 13:16 [ET]
Event Date: 08/26/2021
Event Time: 11:15 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/26/2021
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
KOZAL, JASON (R4)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION, (EMAIL)
Event Text
EN Revision Imported Date: 9/2/2021
EN Revision Text:
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STUCK SOURCE
The following is a summary of information received from the State of Kansas:
The State of Kansas received notification from the licensee that a fixed gauge cobalt 60 radiographic source is not retracting into the camera for storage following a radiographic exposure. The source moves freely to a point but seems to be stopped during movement in the guide tube about halfway back to the camera. Neither the automatic or the manual retrieval systems were able to retract the source any more than about half way. The licensee indicated that at no time were any personnel exposed or in any danger. The source is located in a secured fixed radiographic booth.
The licensee has contacted the supplier of the equipment for assistance.
Agreement State
Event Number: 55433
Rep Org: ARIZONA DEPT OF HEALTH SERVICES
Licensee: Asarco Mission Complex
Region: 4
City: Sahuarita State: AZ
County:
License #: 10-017
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Brian D. Goretzki
HQ OPS Officer: Lloyd Desotell
Notification Date: 08/26/2021
Notification Time: 17:43 [ET]
Event Date: 08/17/2021
Event Time: 00:00 [MST]
Last Update Date: 08/26/2021
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
KOZAL, JASON (R4)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION, (EMAIL)
Event Text
EN Revision Imported Date: 9/2/2021
EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - BROKEN SOURCE HANDLE
The following was received by the Arizona Department of Health Services (the Department) via email:
"The Department received notification on August 26, 2021, from the licensee, that during an inspection on August 17, 2021, to close the source down for a day, the source handle was broken and the shutter was not able to be closed. The licensee taped off the area and called the vendor to come service the gauge. The gauge was removed from service on August 20, 2021. The gauge was a Berthold Density Gauge, Model #LB7440-D-CR, Serial Number B0514, with an activity of 150 mCi of Cs-137. The Department has requested additional information and continues to investigate the event.
"Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."
Arizona Incident No: 21-005
Power Reactor
Event Number: 55435
Facility: Waterford
Region: 4 State: LA
Unit: [3] [] []
RX Type: [3] CE
NRC Notified By: Samantha Smith
HQ OPS Officer: Ossy Font
Notification Date: 08/29/2021
Notification Time: 19:49 [ET]
Event Date: 08/29/2021
Event Time: 18:12 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 09/01/2021
Emergency Class: Unusual Event
10 CFR Section:
50.72(a) (1) (i) - Emergency Declared
Person (Organization):
KOZAL, JASON (R4)
MORRIS, SCOTT (R4)
VEIL, ANDREA (HQ)
GRANT, JEFFERY (IR)
Power Reactor Unit Info
| Unit |
SCRAM Code |
RX Crit |
Initial PWR |
Initial RX Mode |
Current PWR |
Current RX Mode |
| 3 |
N |
N |
0 |
Hot Shutdown |
0 |
Hot Shutdown |
Event Text
EN Revision Imported Date: 9/2/2021
EN Revision Text: NOTIFICATION OF UNUSUAL EVENT DUE TO LOSS OF OFFSITE POWER
Waterford 3 shut down the reactor in preparation for Hurricane Ida landfall prior to this event.
At 1812 CDT, Waterford 3 declared a notification of unusual event under EAL S.U. 1.1 due to a loss of offsite power as a result of hurricane Ida. Plant power is being provided via emergency diesel generators. The NRC Activated at 2016 EDT with Region IV in the lead.
Notified DHS SWO, DOE Ops Center, FEMA Ops Center, HHS Ops Center, CISA Central, USDA Ops Center, EPA Emergency Ops Center, DHS Nuclear SSA (email), FEMA NWC (email), and FEMA NRCC SASC (email).
* * * UPDATE ON 9/1/21 AT 0132 EDT FROM ALEX SANDOVAL TO BRIAN P. SMITH * * *
At 2345 CDT on 8/31/21, Waterford 3 terminated their notification of unusual event under EAL S.U. 1.1. Offsite power has been restored to both safety-related electrical buses. The NRC remains Activated with Region IV in the lead while reviewing additional criteria to exit Activation.
Notified DHS SWO, DOE Ops Center, FEMA Ops Center, HHS Ops Center, CISA Central, USDA Ops Center, EPA Emergency Ops Center, DHS Nuclear SSA (email), FEMA NWC (email), and FEMA NRCC SASC (email), R4DO (Josey), IR MOC (Kennedy), NRR EO (Miller), R4 (Lantz).
Power Reactor
Event Number: 55440
Facility: South Texas
Region: 4 State: TX
Unit: [1] [2] []
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: Keith Mink
HQ OPS Officer: Joanna Bridge
Notification Date: 08/31/2021
Notification Time: 16:00 [ET]
Event Date: 08/04/2021
Event Time: 12:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/31/2021
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
26.719 - Fitness For Duty
Person (Organization):
JOSEY, JEFFREY (R4)
FFD GROUP, (EMAIL)
Power Reactor Unit Info
| 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 |
Event Text
EN Revision Imported Date: 9/2/2021
EN Revision Text: LICENSED OPERATOR VIOLATED FFD POLICY
On August 4, 2021 a Licensed Reactor Operator violated the station's FFD policy. The employee's unescorted access to South Texas has been terminated. The event was determined to be reportable under 10 CFR 26.719(b)(2)(ii).
The NRC Resident Inspector will be been notified.
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
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
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - Loss Comm/Asmt/Response
Person (Organization):
JOSEY, JEFFREY (R4)
Power Reactor Unit Info
| Unit |
SCRAM Code |
RX Crit |
Initial PWR |
Initial RX Mode |
Current PWR |
Current RX Mode |
| 3 |
N |
N |
0 |
Cold Shutdown |
0 |
Cold Shutdown |
Event Text
EN Revision Imported Date: 9/2/2021
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.
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
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
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - Loss Comm/Asmt/Response
Person (Organization):
JOSEY, JEFFREY (R4)
Power Reactor Unit Info
| 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 |
Event Text
EN Revision Imported Date: 9/2/2021
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 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."