Event Notification Report for February 8, 2002

                         
                    U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
                              Operations Center

                              Event Reports For
                           02/07/2002 - 02/08/2002

                              ** EVENT NUMBERS **

38665  38677  38678  38679  38680  38681  38682  


Power Reactor                                    Event Number:   38665       

                         
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 FACILITY: WOLF CREEK               REGION:  4  NOTIFICATION DATE: 01/31/2002
    UNIT:  [1] [] []                 STATE:  KS NOTIFICATION TIME: 17:56[EST]
   RXTYPE: [1] W-4-LP                           EVENT DATE:        01/31/2002

 NRC NOTIFIED BY:  S. FERGUSON                  LAST UPDATE DATE:  02/07/2002
 

EMERGENCY CLASS:          NON EMERGENCY         CHARLES MARSCHALL    R4      
10 CFR SECTION:                                                              
ACOM 50.72(b)(3)(xiii)   LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE                             
APRE 50.72(b)(2)(xi)     OFFSITE NOTIFICATION                                
                                                                             
                                                                             

UNIT SCRAM CODERX CRITINIT PWR   INIT RX MODE  CURR PWR  CURR RX MODE   

1     N          Y       100      Power Operation  100      Power Operation  
                                                                             
                                                                             

                                   EVENT TEXT                                   

 LOSS OF 6 EMERGENCY SIRENS DUE TO ICE STORMS                                 
                                                                              
 AT 1345 it was determined that six of their eleven emergency plant sirens    
 were not operational.  An ice storm caused the loss of power to the sirens.  
 The county sheriffs office was contacted and in the event of an actual       
 emergency they will contact personnel in these areas directly (route         
 alerting).  The remaining five sirens will alert a majority of the           
 population in the effective ten mile zone.  The total ten mile zone is       
 approx. 6099 persons.                                                        
                                                                              
 The remote telemetry system used to identify siren failures did not function 
 correctly.  We determined that at least one siren was unavailable and this   
 information was unavailable from the normal monitoring method.  A backup     
 method was used to determine the extent of the problem.                      
                                                                              
 A news statement was issued to the public at approximately 1600 hours,       
 01/31/02, discusses the loss of the six emergency sirens.                    
                                                                              
 The NRC Resident Inspector was notified of this event by the licensee.       
                                                                              
 * * * UPDATE 1408EST ON 2/7/02 FROM RICK HUBBARD TO S. SANDIN * * *          
                                                                              
 The licensee provided the following information as an update:                
                                                                              
 "On 1/31/2002 @ 1656CST, the NRC Operations Center was contacted, EN #38665, 
 concerning a loss of E-Plan Sirens.  As of 1233CST 2/7/2002, all sirens have 
 been restored to operable status.  A news release has been prepared and will 
 be made following this notification."                                        
                                                                              
 The licensee informed state/local agencies, FEMA and the NRC Resident        
 Inspector.                                                                   



Power Reactor                                    Event Number:   38677       

                         
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 FACILITY: OYSTER CREEK             REGION:  1  NOTIFICATION DATE: 02/07/2002
    UNIT:  [1] [] []                 STATE:  NJ NOTIFICATION TIME: 12:46[EST]
   RXTYPE: [1] GE-2                             EVENT DATE:        02/07/2002

 NRC NOTIFIED BY:  DAVE PIETRUSKI               LAST UPDATE DATE:  02/07/2002
 

EMERGENCY CLASS:          NON EMERGENCY         LAWRENCE DOERFLEIN   R1      
10 CFR SECTION:                                 JOHN WHITE           IAT     
APRE 50.72(b)(2)(xi)     OFFSITE NOTIFICATION   RICHARD ROSANO       IAT     
                                                JOHN DAVIDSON        IAT     
                                                RICHARD WESSMAN      IRO     
                                                JORGE BELTRAN        OHS     

UNIT SCRAM CODERX CRITINIT PWR   INIT RX MODE  CURR PWR  CURR RX MODE   

1     N          Y       100      Power Operation  100      Power Operation  
                                                                             
                                                                             

                                   EVENT TEXT                                   

 OFFSITE NOTIFICATION INVOLVING QUARANTINE OF CAFETERIA                       
                                                                              
 "Today (02/07/02) @ 09:45 AM the Shift Manager was informed of a incident    
 that occurred in the plant cafeteria, which required notifications to other  
 government agencies( New Jersey State Police, the local Police Department).  
 10CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi) notification                                           
                                                                              
 "The incident that occurred in the cafeteria (which is located within the    
 Owner Controlled Area but outside the Protected Area) was the discovery of a 
 white powder substance in a roll of quarters. A worker who was opening the   
 roll to place the quarters in a cash register made the discovery of the      
 white powder. The area was secured and the security department was           
 contacted, the State Police and local Police Departments were contacted.     
                                                                              
 "The substance is being collected and will be tested by the appropriate      
 off-site agencies. The Plant cafeteria remains closed until further          
 information is known. There are no other areas of the station that are       
 closed down or were impacted."                                               
                                                                              
 The licensee anticipates making a press release and informed the NRC         
 Resident Inspector.                                                          



General Information or Other                     Event Number:   38678       

                         
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 REP ORG:  WA DIVISION OF RADIATION PROTECTION  NOTIFICATION DATE:
02/07/2002
LICENSEE:  STERICYCLE                           NOTIFICATION TIME: 13:33[EST]
    CITY:  MORTON                   REGION:  4  EVENT DATE:        02/07/2002
  COUNTY:                            STATE:  WA EVENT TIME:             [PST]
LICENSE#:                        AGREEMENT:  Y  LAST UPDATE DATE:  02/07/2002
  DOCKET:                                      
                                                PERSON          ORGANIZATION 
                                                PHIL HARRELL         R4      
                                                FRED BROWN           NMSS    

 NRC NOTIFIED BY:  TERRY FRAZEE                                              
  HQ OPS OFFICER:  STEVE SANDIN                                              

EMERGENCY CLASS:          NON EMERGENCY                                      
10 CFR SECTION:                                                              
NAGR                     AGREEMENT STATE                                     
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                                                             


                                   EVENT TEXT                                   

 AGREEMENT STATE REPORT INVOLVING RADIOACTIVE MEDICAL BYPRODUCT
MATERIAL      
                                                                              
 This is notification of an event in Washington state as investigated by the  
 WA Department of Health, Division of Radiation Protection.                   
                                                                              
 STATUS: new                                                                  
                                                                              
 NON-Licensee: Stericycle                                                     
 City and state: Morton, WA                                                   
 License number: NOT APPLICABLE                                               
 Type of license: NOT APPLICABLE                                              
                                                                              
 Date of event: January 23, 2002                                              
 Location of Event: Morton, WA                                                
                                                                              
 ABSTRACT: (where, when, how, why; cause, contributing factors, corrective    
 actions, consequences, DOH on-site investigation; media attention) A package 
 of medical waste sent to Stericycle for treatment set off the radiation      
 alarm.  Stericycle is not permitted to receive or treat radioactive waste.   
 The package was pulled from the conveyor line and measured at 2.5 mrem/hour  
 at one spot on the surface.  The package indicated it was from Northwest     
 Prostate Institute in Seattle.  Stericycle held the package in cold storage  
 until February 4 when a re-survey indicated the dose rate had not            
 diminished.  A Division of Radiation Protection inspector was dispatched to  
 verify the dose rate and check the gamma spectrum.  The gamma energies are   
 consistent with an I-125 source.  The state of Washington issued DOT         
 exemption 11406 (approval number WA-WA-02-01) allowing return shipment.  The 
 package will be received by the licensee (Northwest Hospital, Seattle) which 
 handles implant procedures for patients of the Northwest Prostate Institute. 
 It is believed an I-125 seed was passed in a urine sample during a           
 post-implant follow-up visit at the Institute.                               
                                                                              
 What is the notification or reporting criteria involved? WAC 246-221-260     
                                                                              
 Reports of overexposures and excessive levels and concentrations.            
                                                                              
 Activity and Isotope(s) involved: unknown quantity of I-125                  
                                                                              
 Event Report #WA-02-005                                                      



Power Reactor                                    Event Number:   38679       

                         
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 FACILITY: FITZPATRICK              REGION:  1  NOTIFICATION DATE: 02/07/2002
    UNIT:  [1] [] []                 STATE:  NY NOTIFICATION TIME: 14:26[EST]
   RXTYPE: [1] GE-4                             EVENT DATE:        02/07/2002

 NRC NOTIFIED BY:  SHAWN ALLEN                  LAST UPDATE DATE:  02/07/2002
 

EMERGENCY CLASS:          NON EMERGENCY         LAWRENCE DOERFLEIN   R1      
10 CFR SECTION:                                                              
AIND 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D)   ACCIDENT MITIGATION                                 
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                                                             

UNIT SCRAM CODERX CRITINIT PWR   INIT RX MODE  CURR PWR  CURR RX MODE   

1     N          Y       100      Power Operation  100      Power Operation  
                                                                             
                                                                             

                                   EVENT TEXT                                   

 HPCI DECLARED INOPERABLE FOLLOWING DISCOVERY OF UNKNOWN CONTAMINANT
IN OIL   
                                                                              
 "Declared High Pressure Coolant Injection System (HPCI) INOP due to unknown  
 contaminants in the oil system.  Plant formulated an action plan to resample 
 the sump, identify the particles, and identify the source of the             
 contaminants.  Entered 7 day LCO per Tech Spec 3.5.C.1.a."                   
                                                                              
 The licensee informed the NRC Resident Inspector.                            



Power Reactor                                    Event Number:   38680       

                         
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 FACILITY: INDIAN POINT             REGION:  1  NOTIFICATION DATE: 02/07/2002
    UNIT:  [] [3] []                 STATE:  NY NOTIFICATION TIME: 16:52[EST]
   RXTYPE: [2] W-4-LP,[3] W-4-LP                EVENT DATE:        02/07/2002

 NRC NOTIFIED BY:  ROGER YOUNG                  LAST UPDATE DATE:  02/07/2002
 

EMERGENCY CLASS:          NON EMERGENCY         LAWRENCE DOERFLEIN   R1      
10 CFR SECTION:                                 RICHARD ROSANO       IAT     
DDDD 73.71               UNSPECIFIED PARAGRAPH  SUSIE BLACK          NRR     
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                                                             

UNIT SCRAM CODERX CRITINIT PWR   INIT RX MODE  CURR PWR  CURR RX MODE   

                                                                             
3     N          Y       100      Power Operation  100      Power Operation  
                                                                             

                                   EVENT TEXT                                   

 1-HOUR SECURITY REPORT INVOLVING THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF SAFEGUARDS           

 INFORMATION                                                                  
                                                                              
 Discovery of loss of classified document/safeguards information.  No         
 compensatory measures available.  Licensee notified the NRC Resident         
 Inspector.  Contact the Headquarters Operations Center for additional        
 details.                                                                     



Power Reactor                                    Event Number:   38681       

                         
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 FACILITY: FERMI                    REGION:  3  NOTIFICATION DATE: 02/07/2002
    UNIT:  [2] [] []                 STATE:  MI NOTIFICATION TIME: 17:26[EST]
   RXTYPE: [2] GE-4                             EVENT DATE:        02/07/2002

 NRC NOTIFIED BY:  GREG MILLER                  LAST UPDATE DATE:  02/07/2002
 

EMERGENCY CLASS:          NON EMERGENCY         THOMAS KOZAK         R3      
10 CFR SECTION:                                                              
APRE 50.72(b)(2)(xi)     OFFSITE NOTIFICATION                                
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                                                             

UNIT SCRAM CODERX CRITINIT PWR   INIT RX MODE  CURR PWR  CURR RX MODE   

2     N          Y       100      Power Operation  100      Power Operation  
                                                                             
                                                                             

                                   EVENT TEXT                                   

 OFFSITE NOTIFICATION TO THE STATE OF MICHIGAN DUE TO A CHEMICAL SPILL        
 ONSITE                                                                       
                                                                              
 "At 1500 on 2/7/02 a spill of Sodium Hypochlorite occurred at the            
 circulating water pump house while unloading the product into the storage    
 tank. The cause of the spill was from a rupture disc located high on the     
 supply truck tank rupturing. The release quantity was estimated at ~20       
 gallons of 15% concentration of Sodium Hypochlorite. The spill landed on the 
 gravel and dirt located near the Sodium Hypochlorite storage tank. The       
 source of the spill was stopped. There were no personnel injuries as a       
 result of this spill. No Sodium Hypochlorite reached navigable waters.       
 Communication was made with the site environmental group and it was          
 determined that this event is reportable to the State of Michigan.           
                                                                              
 "The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality was notified at 1550 EDT.  
                                                                              
 "There were no puddles on the gravel to clean up with absorbant material.    
 The ground is currently being washed with potable water which is being       
 pumped to the containment dike for the Sodium Hypochlorite storage tank.     
 Ground excavation will occur once ground cleaning is complete.               
                                                                              
 "This report is being made in accordance with 10CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi) Any      
 event or situation, related to the health arid safety of the public or       
 onsite personnel, or protection of the environment, for which a news release 
 is planned or notification to other government agencies has been or will be  
 made."                                                                       
                                                                              
 The licensee will inform the NRC Resident Inspector.                         



General Information or Other                     Event Number:   38682       

                         
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 REP ORG:  WA DIVISION OF RADIATION PROTECTION  NOTIFICATION DATE:
02/07/2002
LICENSEE:  TRANSALTA MINING CENTRALIA           NOTIFICATION TIME: 17:29[EST]
    CITY:  CENTRALIA                REGION:  4  EVENT DATE:        02/06/2002
  COUNTY:                            STATE:  WA EVENT TIME:             [PST]
LICENSE#:  WN-I0241-1            AGREEMENT:  Y  LAST UPDATE DATE:  02/07/2002
  DOCKET:                                      
                                                PERSON          ORGANIZATION 
                                                JOHN PELLET          R4      
                                                M. WAYNE HODGES      NMSS    

 NRC NOTIFIED BY:  TERRY FRAZEE                                              
  HQ OPS OFFICER:  STEVE SANDIN                                              

EMERGENCY CLASS:          NON EMERGENCY                                      
10 CFR SECTION:                                                              
NAGR                     AGREEMENT STATE                                     
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                                                             


                                   EVENT TEXT                                   

 AGREEMENT STATE REPORT INVOLVING POTENTIAL PERSONNEL OVEREXPOSURE     
      
                                                                              
 This is notification of an event in Washington state as investigated by the  
 WA Department of Health, Division of Radiation Protection.                   
                                                                              
 STATUS: new                                                                  
                                                                              
 Licensee: TRANSALTA MINING CENTRALIA                                         
 City and state: CENTRALIA, WA                                                
 License number: WN-10241-1                                                   
 Type of license: FIXED GAUGE                                                 
                                                                              
 Date of event: February 6, 2002                                              
 Location of Event: Centralia, WA                                             
                                                                              
 ABSTRACT: (where, when, how, why; cause, contributing factors, corrective    
 actions, consequences, DOH on-site investigation; media attention)   The     
 licensee reported a serious mechanical failure of a Ronan Engineering        
 Company model SA-4 gauging device.  This is the same device which previously 
 experienced several failures of the source rod becoming disconnected from    
 the source.  This failure is the most serious to date.  The operator pulled  
 the source rod, complete with source, entirely out of the shield while       
 conducting a routine end-of-shift securing of the source.  The RSO was       
 informed and, while moving what he thought was just the source rod to a      
 separate storage area, decided to check whether the source was still         
 connected.  An old CDV instrument had been provided to the licensee          
 following the previous failures.  This instrument confirmed that significant 
 radiation exposure was occurring.  The RSO acted quickly to isolate the      
 source and notify the state.  The state Division of Radiation Protection     
 arrived within several hours and assisted the licensee in assessing the need 
 for additional shielding.  Initial readings with minimal shielding in place  
 indicated a surface dose rate that was "off scale" (greater than 5000        
 mrem/hour) and about 3000 mrem/hour at 6 inches.  Bags of lead shot were     
 obtained and the maximum dose rate on the exterior of the storage building   
 went from 50 mrem/hour to 0.25 mrem/hour.  State staff are on-site February  
 7 to conduct interviews, time-motion studies, and additional exposure        
 measurements to assess personnel exposure.                                   
                                                                              
 What is the notification or reporting criteria involved? WAC 246-221-250     
                                                                              
 Notification of incidents (equipment malfunction; personnel exposure)        
                                                                              
 Activity and Isotope(s) involved: 1.7 Ci Cesium-137                          
                                                                              
 Overexposures? (number of workers/members of the public; dose estimate; body 
 part receiving dose; consequence) Two workers exposed.  Doses unknown at     
 this time.                                                                   
                                                                              
 Lost, Stolen or Damaged?  (mfg., model, serial number) Ronan Engineering     
 Company Model SA-4 gauging device, serial number 0973GK, with Amersham Model 
 CDC.711M source.                                                             



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