Event Notification Report for February 28, 2025

EN Revision Imported Date: 2/28/2025

EN Revision Text: LOSS OF ITEM RELIED ON FOR SAFETY

The following information was provided by the licensee via phone and email:

"Loss or degradation of items relied on for safety that results in failure to meet the performance requirement of 10 CFR 70.61.

"A temperature interlock, designated as item relied on for safety (IROFS), failed to actuate at setpoint.

"NRC Region II has been notified."

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

The licensee is troubleshooting the cause, and the system was placed in safe shutdown.

* * * RETRACTION ON 2/27/2025 AT 1526 EST FROM PAT JENNEY TO TROY JOHNSON * * *

"During further investigation, it was determined that the operators stopped the evolution prior to the applicability of the item relied on for safety (IROFS) in question, and the IROFS was never called upon to take action. Based on this investigation Global Laser Enrichment is retracting the event notification."

Notified R2DO (Penmetsa) and NMSS Events Notification (email).

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST EXIT SIGNS

The following is a summary of information received from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment via email:

Six exit signs, each containing 11.5 curies of tritium (69 curies total), were determined to be lost by the licensee.

Manufacturer: Safety Light Corporation
Model Number: SLX60

Colorado Event Number: CO250003


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 - STUCK OPEN SHUTTER

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

"On February 20, 2025, the Department was notified by the licensee that the shutter on a Vega SH-F2 nuclear gauge containing a 800 millicurie (original activity) Cs-137 source was found stuck in the open position during routine testing. Open is the normal position for the shutter. The licensee will try to close the shutter on February 21, 2025, when temperatures are above 32 degrees Fahrenheit to [determine whether] cold temperatures were a factor. It is a possibility that water was in the internals of the source holder, the water became ice, and then caused the shutter to not function as designed. If it is not a temperature issue, the licensee will pursue other options to repair or replace the source holder. The licensee stated there is no risk of additional radiation exposure to members of the general public or radiation workers, due to this shutter mechanism failure. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."

Texas Incident Number: 10170
Texas NMED number: TX250011

* * * UPDATE ON 02/21/25 AT 1508 EST FROM ART TUCKER TO KAREN COTTON * * *

"On February 21, 2025, the licensee stated the gauge shutter was tested and the shutter operated as designed. The licensee reported, 'There must have been ice inside the source holder.' The Department has requested additional information."

Notified R4DO(Dixon) and NMSS Events (email)

AGREEMENT STATE - STUCK OPEN SHUTTER

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

"On February 21, 2025, the Department was notified by the licensee that on February 20, 2025, the shutter of a Ronan SA-1 nuclear gauge containing a 20 millicurie (original activity) cesium-137 source was found stuck in the open position during routine testing. Open is the normal position of the shutter. The licensee stated there is no risk of additional radiation exposure to members of the general public or radiation workers, due to this shutter mechanism failure. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."

Texas Incident number: 10171
Texas NMED number: TX250012

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - UNPLANNED EXPLOSION AND CONTAMINATION

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

"On 2/19/2025, Agency staff conducted a routine inspection at Hot Shots NM, LLC. At the time of inspection, it was discovered that on 5/28/2024, a pharmacist used a standard hot plate in lieu of a heat block in order to tag 2 curies of Tc-99m to Sestamibi. The heating caused the glass vial to explode, resulting in a major spill. The event resulted in contamination of the clean room and contamination to (2) individual's face and hair.

"The matter was discussed the next day [2/20/2025] with supervisory staff, and it was determined that the licensee failed to report the event as required under [32 Illinois Administrative Code] 340.1220(c)4 and likely 340.1220(b)2, both requiring notification to the Agency within 24 hours. This matter is reportable to the U.S. NRC within 24 hours.

"Due to a lack of records or licensee evaluation of dose from absorption through skin required under 32 Illinois Administrative Code 340.220(d), there is no current estimate to the amount of occupational exposure to the contaminated workers. Inspectors are actively gathering survey readings, specific activity, and variables that may allow an estimation of potential dose to workers. No workers reported to the hospital as a result of the incident. The investigation is ongoing, and updates will be provided as they become available."

Illinois Reference Number: IL250009

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DAMAGED RADIOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT

The following information was provided by the California Department of Public Health via email:

"Mistras Group was performing radiography at a temporary job site outside of a water tank. The radiographer was using a manned lift to perform the radiography at the 50-foot level. The Industrial Nuclear Company (INC) IR 100 exposure device number 4435 with an Ir-192 model 32, serial number 003J with 37.3 curies was resting inside an I-beam trough and secured to the tank using magnets. The source crank assembly was 35 feet long. During the eighth exposure, the radiographer felt the magnets holding the exposure device to the tank pull off, and he immediately cranked the radiography source into the exposure device, which fell approximately 45 feet to the ground level. The radiographer returned to ground level and surveyed the exposure device with his survey meter and found that it was at the normal range.

"Upon examination of the radiography equipment, the radiation safety officer discovered that the swedge end of the Ir-192 source pigtail was damaged during the fall. The exposure device will not be used again and will be returned to the manufacturer, INC, for source removal and any needed repairs.

"There was no exposure to any radiography personnel or members of the public."

California 5010 Number: 022125

FITNESS FOR DUTY

The following information was provided by the licensee via phone and email:

A licensed operator had a confirmed positive for alcohol during a random fitness-for-duty test. The employee's access to the plant has been terminated.

The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified.

FITNESS FOR DUTY

The following information was provided by the licensee via phone and email:

A non-licensed supervisor had a confirmed positive for alcohol during a random fitness-for-duty test. The employee's access to the plant has been terminated.

The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified.