The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is in the process of rescinding or revising guidance and policies posted on this webpage in accordance with Executive Order 14151 Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing, and Executive Order 14168 Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government. In the interim, any previously issued diversity, equity, inclusion, or gender-related guidance on this webpage should be considered rescinded that is inconsistent with these Executive Orders.

Event Notification Report for September 10, 2024

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

EVENT REPORTS FOR
09/09/2024 - 09/10/2024

EVENT NUMBERS
56800 57299 57300 57301
Fuel Cycle Facility
Event Number: 56800
Facility: BWX Technologies Inc.
RX Type: Uranium Fuel Fabrication
Comments: Heu Fabrication & Scrap
Region: 2
City: Lynchburg   State: VA
County: Campbell
License #: SNM-42
Docket: 070-27
NRC Notified By: Daniel L Ashworth
HQ OPS Officer: Lawrence Criscione
Notification Date: 10/17/2023
Notification Time: 09:51 [ET]
Event Date: 10/16/2023
Event Time: 10:15 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/09/2024
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
70.50(b)(2) - Safety Equipment Failure
Person (Organization):
Miller, Mark (R2DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
Fuels Group, - (EMAIL)
Event Text
EN Revision Imported Date: 9/9/2024

EN Revision Text: SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE

The following information was provided by the licensee via email:

"While performing a criticality process analysis, assumptions utilized in modeling the placement of criticality detectors, within the BWXT Nuclear Operations Group Inc. - Lynchburg, VA (BWXT NOG-L) facility, were questioned. Upon further examination of the base assumptions, it was identified that a limited number of process areas in the facility do not have adequate criticality detection capability, meeting the requirements of 10 CFR 70.24(a)(1).

"Compensatory measures are being systematically implemented; operations within the identified areas have been shut down and processing of special nuclear material in these areas has been halted until compensatory measures can be implemented. The likelihood of a criticality occurring at BWXT NOG-L remains highly unlikely, the performance requirements of 10 CFR 70.61 are still being met, and no Items Relied On For Safety (IROFS) have been affected - all IROFS credited in the prevention of a criticality accident are available and reliable.

"The Senior Resident Inspector has been notified."

* * * UPDATE - THIS EVENT IS BEING PUBLICALLY RELEASED AS OF 9/9/2024 BY HOWIE CROUCH AT 1542 EST * * *


Agreement State
Event Number: 57299
Rep Org: Texas Dept of State Health Services
Licensee: NexTier Completion Solutions Inc
Region: 4
City: Odessa   State: TX
County:
License #: L06662
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Art Tucker
HQ OPS Officer: Robert A. Thompson
Notification Date: 09/03/2024
Notification Time: 09:02 [ET]
Event Date: 09/01/2024
Event Time: 00:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 09/03/2024
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
Drake, James (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
Event Text
AGREEMENT STATE - STUCK OPEN GAUGE SHUTTER

The following information was provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services (the Department) via email:

"On September 2, 2024, the Department was notified by NexTier Completion Solutions Inc (the Licensee) that the handle on a Berthold model LB 8010 density gauge had broken off the gauge while at a well site. The gauge shutter was in the open position when the failure occurred and could not be closed. The gauge contains a 20 millicurie cesium-137 source. The gauge was removed from the truck, wrapped in lead blankets, placed in an overpack, and transported to the Licensee's storage area. The Licensee reported there were no overexposures due to this event. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."

Texas incident number: I-10125


Agreement State
Event Number: 57300
Rep Org: Colorado Dept of Health
Licensee: Particle Measuring Systems, Inc.
Region: 4
City: Boulder   State: CO
County:
License #: CO 1073-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Maggie Schnettler
HQ OPS Officer: Robert A. Thompson
Notification Date: 09/03/2024
Notification Time: 12:04 [ET]
Event Date: 07/26/2024
Event Time: 00:00 [MDT]
Last Update Date: 09/03/2024
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
Drake, James (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
ILTAB, (EMAIL) (EMAIL)
Event Text
AGREEMENT STATE - LOST ION MOBILITY SPECTROMETRY CELL

The following information was provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment via email:

"On August 16, 2024, the radiation safety officer at Particle Measuring Systems, Inc. notified the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment via email that an ion mobility spectrometry cell containing a 10 mCi nickel-63 source was discovered to be missing during the licensee's six-month inventory. The inventory was conducted on July 26, 2024, but the actual date of loss is unknown. The licensee believes that a transactional error occurred in their inventory as opposed to an actual loss, but does not have data to prove that a source was not lost."

Colorado event report ID number: CO 240021

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
Event Number: 57301
Rep Org: California Radiation Control Prgm
Licensee: NMG Geotechnical, Inc.
Region: 4
City: Irvine   State: CA
County:
License #: 6052-30
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Donald Oesterle
HQ OPS Officer: Kerby Scales
Notification Date: 09/03/2024
Notification Time: 18:31 [ET]
Event Date: 08/30/2024
Event Time: 00:00 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 09/03/2024
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
Drake, James (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
ILTAB, (EMAIL) (EMAIL)
Event Text
AGREEMENT STATE - STOLEN MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGES

The following information was provided by the California Radiologic Health Branch via email:

"The RSO and Vice President of NMG Geotechnical, Inc. notified the California Radiologic Health Branch that two moisture density gauges had been stolen over the weekend (August 30 - Sept 2, 2024) from a locked trailer at their jobsite. Other construction equipment was also stolen. Thieves removed security bars from a window to enter and exit the trailer. The two gauges were secured within separate locked cabinets inside the trailer, inside their locked transportation cases that has company name and contact number affixed.

"The Troxler model 3411, number 12325 contains 8 millicurie of Cs-137 and 40 millicurie of Am-241/Be sealed sources. The CPN MC-3 Elite contains 10 millicurie of Cs-137 and 50 millicurie of Am-241/Be sealed sources. A trigger lock on the CPN gauge was not engaged and the Troxler did not have a trigger padlock.

"Irvine Police Department was notified of the theft. Maurer Technical Services was also notified. NMG Geotechnical will post a reward for information leading to the return of the stolen equipment."

California 5010 Number: 090324

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