Event Notification Report for January 12, 2023

EN Revision Imported Date: 1/12/2023

EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST STATIC METER

The following information was received from the State of Oklahoma via email:

"Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. has reported the loss of a 3M Model 703 Static Meter (S/N 411617). This device was possessed under Oklahoma GLD [generally licensed device] registration GLD0013. It was manufactured in 1977 and initially contained 250 mCi of tritium, which would have decayed to approximately 20 mCi today. Goodyear obtained the device in 2002 and used it for 2 or 3 years before placing it into storage. It was discovered missing earlier this month."

***UPDATE AT 1057 ON 1/11/2023 AT 1057 FROM OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY TO BILL GOTT ***

The following is a summary of the information received from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) via email:

The Oklahoma DEQ contacted the licensee Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) to verify the corrective actions established to ensure there is not a repeat event.

The RSO described that they perform inventories on other devices and that the majority of their devices are attached to large machinery and are used in their everyday production process. The licensee also has onsite support provided by OnCare Digital Assets who help manage their equipment.

Notified Cale Young (R4DO), and NMSS Events Notification 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

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STUCK SHUTTER AND INDICATOR FAILURE

The following information was provided by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (the Department) via email:

"The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control was notified via email at 1636 [EST] on 12/7/2022, that during a routine shutter check, a general licensed fixed gauging device was stuck in the closed position (fail-safe). The licensee reported that the general licensed fixed gauge device is a Kr-85 Thermo EGS Gauging Model SCL-77A (housing serial number 65675-2), with an activity of 37 gigabecquerels (1000 millicuries). Department inspectors were dispatched to the facility on 12/21/2022 to perform an on-site investigation. At the time of the visit, the licensee had already taken action by contacting a licensed vendor to repair the fixed gauge, and the gauge was placed back in service. The licensee also indicated that for the duration that the gauging device was stuck in the closed position, the production line was shut down, and the device was removed from service. Dose rate surveys of the fixed gauging device were performed by Department inspectors and indicated readings below the external radiation levels outlined in the sealed source and device registry.

"The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control was also notified on 01/04/2023, that a separate general licensed fixed gauge device indicator had failed on 09/26/2022. The licensee reported that the general licensed fixed gauge device is a Sr-90 NDC Technologies Model 301 (housing serial number 8778), with an activity of 0.37 gigabecquerels (10 millicuries). The licensee reported the device has been repaired."

South Carolina Event Report ID No: EN 56297

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DAMAGED MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE

The following report was received from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services via email:

"The Nebraska Radioactive Materials Program was notified on January 4, 2023, about 1700 [CST] by a representative of Olsson of a damaged InstroTek, Model 3500, portable moisture density gauge. An Authorized User (AU) from Olsson transported the nuclear density gauge to a job site near Plattsmouth, NE for compaction testing on backfill for a new grain bin. Upon arrival at the site, he assessed the work area for hazards and began gauge standardization away from the active work area. During the standard count, the AU returned to his work truck to grab testing equipment which was approximately 100 feet east of where the gauge was sitting. During that time, the AU witnessed a contractor on site that was driving a tele-handler run over the gauge and standard block, causing damage to the gauge. Emergency procedures from Olsson's Radiation Safety Program were immediately reviewed and put into action by the AU. The local and Corporate RSOs [Radiation Safety Officers] were contacted to help with the situation. All personnel were removed from the area and the area was blocked out with emergency tape. The local RSO arrived with survey equipment, took readings around the area, made phone calls with the corporate RSO and manufacturer, and determined it was safe to transport the gauge back to Olsson's permanent storage location at the field office. The AU was wearing his dosimetry badge and he does not believe that any other individual on site would have received any exposure."

Nebraska Event Number: NE-23-0001

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - POTENTIAL OVEREXPOSURE

The following information was provided by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (the Agency) via email:

"On December 28, 2022, the [Radiation Safety Officer] RSO for Vista Medical Center East (RML IL-01076-01, Waukegan IL) emailed a letter to the Agency indicating a nuclear medicine technologist received a whole body dose of approximately 11,307 millirem over the third quarter of 2022. The licensee initiated an investigation and does not believe the exposures indicated on the employee's badge represent a true dose to the nuclear medicine technologist. However, no clear evidence has been provided to the Agency that yet substantiates the licensee's position. As such, the Agency is currently treating this as a reportable occupational exposure. Based on the information available, this exposure does not appear to be related to contamination events, exposure to radiation-producing machines, or a single static exposure to a stationary source. The employee, reportedly, is not working at other licensed facilities. The last seven years of dosimetry for this employee consistently show total annual occupational exposures at or near 10% of the annual limits. Job duties have reportedly not changed.

"Agency inspectors will conduct a reactionary inspection on Monday, January 9, 2023. Inspectors will pursue any additional data which may support the licensee's claims that this was not an overexposure incident. The appropriateness of the technologists continued duties under the license, and sustained occupational exposures, will then be reviewed. Finally, inspectors will review noncompliance with Agency rules for timely reporting (32 Ill. Adm. Code 340.1230)."

Illinois Report Item Number: IL230001

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STUCK OPEN SHUTTER

The following information was provided by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) via email:

"The licensee informed ODH on Wednesday, 1/4/2023, that one of the IMS Model 5321 gauges at its plant in Canton, Ohio has a shutter stuck in the open position. The gauge contains nine [Cesium] Cs-137 sources with a maximum activity of 10 Curies each and each source has its own shutter. The other eight shutters are operating normally. The licensee tried cycling the stuck shutter and activating the air cut-off/bleed-off valve, but the shutter remained open. The manufacturer has a technician scheduled to come in Saturday, 1/7/2023, at the earliest to make the repair.

"The gauge is contained inside a caged area with a keycard lock mechanism and motion sensor. Since the gauge shutter cannot be closed, licensee management has sent a communication out to all badged employees who have access to the cage informing them to not enter until the manufacturer can come onsite and make the necessary repairs. The normal operating state for this device is with the shutter open. ODH has authorized the mill to continue operations until the manufacturer arrives to make repairs and standard radiation boundaries will continue to work for protection."

Ohio Event Item Number: OH230001

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION VIOLATION

The following information was provided by the licensee via email:

"During irradiated fuel movement, the exhaust fan stopped functioning. A staff member in the area saw it spark, smelled a slight acrid odor, and the fan shut down. As of 1429 [PST], the fuel element was returned to its original position and the reactor is secured. Maintenance staff is beginning work on the fan motor. Notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Project Manager."


The following additional information was obtained from the licensee in accordance with Headquarters Operations Officers Report Guidance:

This event violated technical specification 3.4 for ventilation.