Event Notification Report for December 13, 2021

EN Revision Imported Date: 12/13/2021

EN Revision Text: OFFSITE NOTIFICATION

"At approximately 1826 EST on December 2, the New Hanover County Deputy Fire Marshall was notified that a roll up fire door located between a boiler room and the radioactive waste system malfunctioned in the open position. Compensatory measures were discussed with the Deputy Fire Marshall and then implemented. The door was manually closed at approximately 1350, December 3. Because the New Hanover County Deputy Fire Marshall was notified, a concurrent notification to the NRC Operations Center is being made per 10 CFR 70, Appendix A(c)."

The licensee will notify the State and NRC Region II.

EN Revision Imported Date: 12/13/2021

EN Revision Text: STOLEN / RECOVERED RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

The following is a summary of a phone call with the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) at Trijicon (licensee):

On December 2, 2021, the RSO was contacted by the FBI regarding scrap bags of radioactive material discovered in a raid that belong to the licensee. The FBI sent the licensee pictures of the material. The licensee believes the combined scrap bags of radioactive material contains 100 Curies of Tritium. The dates on the bags are from 2012 to 2017. The RSO is unsure how long the scrap bags of material have been missing. The licensee notified the NRC Region III Office.


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 Imported Date: 12/13/2021

EN Revision Text: DAMAGED DENSITY GAUGE

The following is a summary of a phone call with Jacobi Geotechnical Engineering (licensee):

On December 3, 2021, while on a jobsite in St. Peters, MO, the licensee's Humbolt 5001EZ density gauge was run over. The source rod was broken, but remained secured in the case. The Humbolt gauge serial number is 3141 and contains 10 mCi of Cs-137 and 40 mCi Am-241/Be.

The licensee requested assistance to secure and dispose the gauge. The gauge was secured and packaged in a transportation box. No overexposures were reported.

EN Revision Imported Date: 12/13/2021

EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE - LEAKING SEALED SOURCE

The following was received from the Massachusetts Radiation Control Program (the Agency) via email:

"On December 6, 2021 at 1435 EST the Massachusetts Radiation Control Program received a call from the [Radiation Safety Officer] RSO at Amherst College reporting a leaking sealed source. The source is an open-window reference source (RM Corp, s/n R8023) containing 0.001 milliCi of Am-241 and the RSO believes he accidentally wiped the window while collecting the leak test sample of the source, the analysis of which showed 0.0908 microCi of removable activity which is in excess of regulatory limits. The RSO collected the leak test sample on November 29, 2021 at 0930 EST and sent it the same day to RSCS, Inc. for analysis. The leak test results were transmitted to the RSO by email on December 2, 2021 but the RSO was on vacation from December 2 through December 3 and was unable to review the email. The RSO was back at work on December 6, 2021 and reviewed the email at 1230 EST due to previous work commitments in the morning. The area where the source was handled was surveyed and no contamination was found. The RSO assumes the source window was damaged due to being wiped therefore the source will be secured and properly disposed of in accordance with the regulations.

"The Agency considers this event open."

Massachusetts Event Number: TBD

EN Revision Imported Date: 12/13/2021

EN Revision Text: UNPLANNED MEDICAL TREATMENT OF A CONTAMINATED WORKER

"On December 8, 2021 at approximately 0745 PST, an instrument technician was contaminated with uranyl nitrate solution while working on process instrumentation [calibrating a pressure transmitter in the Scrap Uranium Recovery Facility]. The individual followed safety protocol by utilizing the emergency wash station and as a precaution was sent for medical evaluation [at Kadlec Regional Medical Center] due to skin exposure to nitric acid.

"Prior to leaving the site, Framatome Health and Safety Technicians decontaminated the individual to below release limits with the exception of their hands. The individual's hands were placed inside gloves which were secured to their wrists prior to being transported. The worker was transported to an offsite medical facility accompanied by plant health physics personnel.

"After being evaluated, the individual returned to Framatome where their hands were decontaminated to below release limits and returned to work. The process area where this work was being performed was cleaned and the equipment was secured. The event has been entered into the facility's corrective action system.

"Framatome is reporting this event consistent with the requirements of 10 CFR 70.50(b)(3)."

The licensee notified the Washington Department of Health and the NRC R2 Project Manager (Vukovinsky).

EN Revision Imported Date: 12/13/2021

EN Revision Text: AUTOMATIC REACTOR TRIP

"At 0049 EST, on December 10, 2021, with Unit 2 in Mode 1 at 73 percent power, the reactor automatically tripped due to an unknown condition. The trip was not complex, with all systems responding normally post-trip.

"Operations responded and stabilized the plant. Decay heat is being maintained by discharge steam to the main condenser using the turbine bypass valves. Units 1 and 3 are not affected. The cause of the trip is under investigation.

"Due to the Reactor Protection System actuation while critical, this event is being reported as a four-hour, non-emergency notification per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)iv)(B).

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

All rods inserted into the core during the trip. The plant is in its normal shutdown electrical lineup maintaining normal operating pressure and temperature.

MANUAL REACTOR TRIP

"On 12/10/2021, at 1024 EST, with Unit 1 at 100 percent power, the reactor was manually tripped due to lowering level in the steam generators. All systems responded as expected following the trip. The reactor is currently stable in Mode 3 and operators restored steam generator level utilizing main feedwater. The cause of the reduction in feedwater flow is under investigation.

"St. Lucie Unit 2 was not affected and remains at 100 percent power.

"This event is being reported pursuant to 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) for the reactor trip.

"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."

All rods inserted into the core during the trip. The plant is in its normal shutdown electrical lineup. Decay heat is being maintained by steam discharge to the main condenser using the turbine bypass valves.