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U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
Event Reports For
11/14/2007 - 11/15/2007
** EVENT NUMBERS **
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| Other Nuclear Material |
Event Number: 43707 |
Rep Org: ECS MID-ATLANTIC
Licensee: ECS MID-ATLANTIC
Region: 1
City: MIDLOTHIAN State: VA
County:
License #: 45-25239-01
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DON LONGEST
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ |
Notification Date: 10/10/2007
Notification Time: 14:22 [ET]
Event Date: 10/08/2007
Event Time: 16:30 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 11/14/2007 |
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
30.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE |
Person (Organization):
WILLIAM COOK (R1)
GREG MORELL (FSME) |
Event Text
TROXLER MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE DAMAGED
A Troxler moisture density gauge was damaged by construction equipment in Midlothian, VA (NW corner of Midlothian Turnpike and Route 288). The plastic shell was damaged, but there was no damage to the rod or housing. The licensee conducted a leak test and is awaiting results. No abnormal radiation levels were detected on the outside of the housing. The licensee is in possession of the gauge and is planning to ship the gauge back to the manufacturer for repair.
Troxler Model 3430
S/N: 26757
Sources: 40 milliCurie Am/Be & 8 milliCurie Cs-137
Source S/N: 47-22173 & 75-8778 (licensee uncertain which S/N is paired with each source)
* * * UPDATE ON 11/14/07 AT 2:40 PM FROM JOHN LONGEST TO KARL DIEDERICH * * *
The source has been returned to Troxler. The leak test certificate indicates that the source is leaking. However, the leakage is within regulatory limits, and the source may remain in use.
"On October 10, 2007, John D. Longest the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) for the Richmond office of ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC (ECS) responded to a call where one of our on-site technicians reported a damaged portable nuclear density gauge. The gauge in question was a Troxler 3430 (SN # 26757) and had been properly signed out that morning by ECS Technician [DELETED], an authorized gauge user. The call was received at approximately 1645 HRS and incident occurred at approximately 1630 HRS. The project site is located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Midlothian Turnpike (Route 60) and Route 288 in Chesterfield County, Virginia. Based off of GPS locations for previous tests conducted at the site of the incident, location of the incident is approximately (Longitude: 77° 41'22.963"W - Latitude: 37°30'49.867"N).
"Upon arrival, at approximately 1715 HRS, it was observed that an area surrounding the damaged gauge had already been cordoned off with caution tape, in a 15 foot radius. Weather was noted to be 80°F, clear skies, calm wind. The gauge had clearly been damaged and the rod was extended downward. The equipment operator (R.G. Griffith employee [DELETED]) was moved after the incident to another part of the site to fill out an 'Employee/ Witness Statement Form' and was with the R.G. Griffith Safety Officer [DELETED]. ECS Technician [DELETED] was approximately 50 feet north of the gauge filling out an "Employee/ Witness Statement Form" for R.G. Griffith. Copies of the two "Employee/ Witness Statement Form" papers are attached. It was requested that [DELETED] and [DELETED] be interviewed, after their paperwork had been completed and prior to leaving the site for this investigation.
"Utilizing a 'Troxalert' Radiation Monitor, calibrated July 18, 2007 readings were immediately taken at the following distances:
"50 feet - 0 mR/hr
25 feet - 0 mR/hr
10 feet - 0 mR/hr
5 feet - 0 mR/hr
1 foot - 1.5 mR/hr
0 feet - 2.5 - 10 mR/hr (high value against gauge at source end)
"At this point it was accessed that the source rod and housing were intact. Source rod was in the downward 'test' position could be retracted though shutter block and locking mechanism would not engage on its own. The source rod was manually secured so that source was housed while placing gauge into its transport box. Prior to closing transport box source rod, was secured so that source remained within housing during transport. Later the shutter block was able to be closed. Gauge was properly locked and secured in transport vehicle. Gauge was returned to the office of ECS in Richmond, VA, to its designated storage room.
"On October 9, 2007, at approximately 1500 HRS, a call was made to the toll-free number posted on the NRC website (1-800-368-5642). The call was transferred to 'public affairs' when a request to report the incident was made. After being transferred to 'public affairs,' information regarding the gauge serial number, type and pertinent details regarding the incident were provided. A second call reporting the incident was made at 1422 HRS on October 10, 2007 (Event # 43707).
"After securing the gauge in a privately owned vehicle, it was noted by [DELETED] of R.G. Griffith that the equipment operator had left the site and was headed home and couldn't provide any additional statement at that time. Based on the verbal and written statement collected by ECS Technician [DELETED] as well as a written statement provided by R.G. Griffith equipment operator [DELETED], the following occurred during the incident.
"Technician had been on-site, in the general vicinity of incident location for majority of working day observing and testing compaction of soils per ASTM Specification D-2922. As required by the site, [the technician] was wearing proper safety equipment including OSHA compliant boots, hard hat, safety goggles and fluorescent orange vest. While not in operation, the gauge was properly secured in vehicle. Compaction of fill was being accomplished utilizing an 815 roller/ dozer, generally running in a north-to-south direction across a fill area, approximately 150 foot by 250 foot.
"[The technician] noted that several passes had been made in an area and decided to begin testing. [He] removed scrape plate, hammer, drill pin and extracting tool from his vehicle, to prepare an area for testing, gauge remained secured in his vehicle during this preparation. After returning preparation materials to his vehicle, the gauge was taken to previously prepared test location. At this time it was noted that a Volvo truck had unloaded another pile of fill to be spread and compacted. [The technician] began testing, took about three steps back from his gauge crouched down so he could see on the display panel when test was done, at this time he was facing away from the compaction equipment.
"In preparation to spread newly placed fill, the 815 roller turned into a east-west direction, unaware of [the technician's] location. The operator noted that after turning [the technician] was out of his visibility in a 'blind spot'.
"After a few moments [the technician] looked back at the 815 roller, as he had heard the reverse warning (beeping) on the equipment. When he realized that the operator wasn't slowing down, he began jumping, waiving and shouting in an attempt to alert the driver. As the roller continued towards him, [The technician] tried to extract the gauge. He was unable to move it quickly because the source rod was lowered. [The technician] leapt out of the path of the 815 roller to avoid personal harm unable to prevent the gauge from being run over.
"After the operator saw [the technician], he stopped and was shown what had just happened. [The technician] insisted that they begin roping the area off. [The technician] stated that he was asked, but declined, to remove the gauge from the work area so compaction could continue. Operator continued making passes elsewhere, before returning his equipment to its storage location at the front end of the site.
"The gauge has been leak tested and results have been attached. Documentation of gauge disposal through Troxler Electronic Laboratories. Inc. have been attached as well. Prior to shipment to manufacturer for disposal, readings were taken 3 feet (1 meter) outside of transport box and were recorded at 0.6 mR/hr."
R1DO (Holody) notified. |
| General Information or Other |
Event Number: 43775 |
Rep Org: ILLINOIS EMERGENCY MGMT. AGENCY
Licensee: BARD BRACHYTHERAPY, INC
Region: 3
City: CAROL STREAM State: IL
County:
License #: IL-02062-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DARREN PARRERO
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON |
Notification Date: 11/09/2007
Notification Time: 15:14 [ET]
Event Date: 11/09/2007
Event Time: 11:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 11/09/2007 |
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE |
Person (Organization):
MONTE PHILLIPS (R3)
ROBERT LEWIS (FSME)
BLAIR SPITZBERG (R4) |
Event Text
ILLINOIS AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - HIGH EXTERNAL RADIATION LEVELS ON I-125 MEDICAL SEED SHIPMENT
"This afternoon [at 1330 CST, the State of Illinois] received a call from the [Deleted], the Radiation Safety Officer [RSO] for Bard Brachytherapy located in Carol Stream, IL. The RSO advised that a package of fifty one, I-125 seeds with a total activity of 38 milliCuries, had been returned to them from a client that had abnormal radiation levels associated with the package. Surface readings showed 600 mr/hr and readings at 1 meter showed 1.4 mr/hr. Their investigation quickly showed that all sources identified in the shipping papers were accounted for. However, the lid to the pig which shielded the contents had become askew during transit due to failure to secure it properly resulting in the elevated readings. The vial within the leaded container was intact with no signs of external radioactive contamination or loss of integrity. The RSO promptly notified the shipper, Virginia Mason Medical Center of Seattle, Washington as well as the courier's (Federal Express) radiation safety officer. There is no reason to suspect that there were any overexposures to transportation personnel as a result of the event considering the low level gamma radiation associated with I-125. This event has no media attention associated with it at this time, nor are there any security concerns associated with it. Given the improper preparation of the package by the shipper, no further action is expected from Bard Brachytherapy at this time save for filing the appropriate written report."
IL Event No: IL070058
See also EN #43778, Washington State Agreement State report. |
| General Information or Other |
Event Number: 43777 |
Rep Org: FLORIDA BUREAU OF RADIATION CONTROL
Licensee: QUALITY INSPECTION SERVICES INC
Region: 1
City: JACKSONVILLE State: FL
County:
License #: 3043-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: CHARLES ADAMS
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ |
Notification Date: 11/09/2007
Notification Time: 17:56 [ET]
Event Date: 11/09/2007
Event Time: 15:30 [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/09/2007 |
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE |
Person (Organization):
MARIE MILLER (R1)
ROBERT LEWIS (FSME) |
Event Text
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - TRUCK TRANSPORTING A RADIOGRAPHY CAMERA OVERTURNED
The State provided the following information via facsimile:
"At approximately 1530 hours the left rear tire of the pickup truck transporting the camera blew out. Truck rolled on its side [just West of I-4/I-95 intersection on I-4]. There were no injuries and no damage to the camera. Company personnel have custody of camera and a truck is being dispatched to retrieve it. Camera will be tested for leakage and functionality before being placed back into service. No further action will be taken in this incident."
Camera: Sential Model 424-9 S/N 3688
Source: 29 Curies Ir-192
Florida Incident: FL07-174 |
| General Information or Other |
Event Number: 43778 |
Rep Org: WA DIVISION OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: VIRGINIA MASON MEDICAL CENTER
Region: 4
City: SEATTLE State: WA
County:
License #: WN-M048-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ARDEN SCROGGS
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ |
Notification Date: 11/10/2007
Notification Time: 11:45 [ET]
Event Date: 11/09/2007
Event Time: [PST]
Last Update Date: 11/10/2007 |
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE |
Person (Organization):
MONTE PHILLIPS (R3)
ROBERT LEWIS (FSME)
BLAIR SPITZBERG (R4) |
Event Text
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - HIGH EXTERNAL RADIATION LEVELS ON I-125 MEDICAL SEED SHIPMENT
The State provided the following information via email:
"Bard Brachytherapy, a vendor of I-125 prostate seeds based in Carol Stream Illinois, notified the Illinois Radiation Control Program that they had received a shipment of seeds from a state of Washington licensee, Virginia Mason Medical Center, which had excessive external radiation levels. The Illinois, Division of Nuclear Safety promptly notified the state of Washington, Department of Health via phone and email.
"At the surface the package was reported to be reading 600 mR/hr while readings at a meter were 1.4 mR/hr. It was determined the lid of the pig which contained the returned seeds (51 seeds total from an original shipment of 90, with an activity of 1406 MBq [38 mCi]) had shifted during transport allowing a beam of radiation to penetrate the external surface of the transport package.
"Immediately upon notification from Illinois, the shipper (Virginia Mason Medical Center) was contacted. Washington DOH staff spoke with the Authorized Medical Physicist who provided this information: This was the remainder of a shipment originally received by the licensee on 5 November 2007. It arrived with a total of 90, I-125 seeds with an average activity of 0.4 mCi/seed. Thirty-nine of the original 90 seeds were implanted and the remaining 51 were repackaged according to the manufacturer's (Bard's) instructions.
"At the time of shipment, licensee records show a dose rate at the surface of the package of 0.14 mR/hr, and a reading at one meter of 15 microR/hr.
"The licensee, upon questioning, acknowledged this shipment differed from all prior shipments from this vendor because it was a sterile shipment (all prior shipments had been non-sterile) and thus came in new/different packaging with different packaging instructions.
"The licensee firmly believes the lid of the pig was dislodged due to abuse during shipment.
"The licensee stated they had been in contact with Bard concerning this incident. Bard has agreed that on all future such shipments for clients in the state of Washington (it was unclear if corrective action would be extended to clients in other states as well) Bard will include more tape, for sealing the 'lid' of the pig, and that repackaging shipping instructions would also include steps for taping the pig closed prior to shipment."
See also EN #43775, Illinois Agreement State report. |
| Power Reactor |
Event Number: 43781 |
Facility: GINNA
Region: 1 State: NY
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-2-LP
NRC Notified By: KENNETH MASKER
HQ OPS Officer: RYAN ALEXANDER |
Notification Date: 11/14/2007
Notification Time: 15:15 [ET]
Event Date: 11/14/2007
Event Time: 12:20 [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/14/2007 |
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION |
Person (Organization):
DANIEL HOLODY (R1) |
| Unit |
SCRAM Code |
RX CRIT |
Initial PWR |
Initial RX Mode |
Current PWR |
Current RX Mode |
| 1 |
N |
Y |
100 |
Power Operation |
100 |
Power Operation |
Event Text
OFFSITE NOTIFICATION OF CHEMICAL SPILL ONSITE
"During Construction Activities for a new Security Training facility, an earth mover overturned resulting in a spill of diesel fuel, hydraulic fluid, and engine coolant. The magnitude of the spill is not positively known at this time, but is believed to be less than 50 gallons. The event occurred outside the Protected Area. No personnel were injured during the event. The New York State Department of Environment Conservation (NY DEC) has been notified per plant procedures (Avon Office DEC Spill #75111)." At the time of this report, the earth mover was still overturned and the licensee is taking actions to resolve. No media interest is anticipated as a result of this incident.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Power Reactor |
Event Number: 43782 |
Facility: FARLEY
Region: 2 State: AL
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-3-LP,[2] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: BEN GEORGE
HQ OPS Officer: FANGIE JONES |
Notification Date: 11/14/2007
Notification Time: 15:34 [ET]
Event Date: 11/14/2007
Event Time: 13:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 11/14/2007 |
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
21.21 - UNSPECIFIED PARAGRAPH |
Person (Organization):
GEORGE HOPPER (R2)
VERN HODGE (EMAIL) (NRR)
JOHN THORP (EMAIL) (NRR) |
| Unit |
SCRAM Code |
RX CRIT |
Initial PWR |
Initial RX Mode |
Current PWR |
Current RX Mode |
| 1 |
N |
Y |
30 |
Power Operation |
30 |
Power Operation |
| 2 |
N |
Y |
100 |
Power Operation |
100 |
Power Operation |
Event Text
PART 21 NOTIFICATION - AREVA 4kV CUTLER HAMMER BREAKERS
The licensee provided the following information via facsimile:
"In accordance with 10CFR21.21(d)(3), Southern Nuclear Operating Company (SNC) is making notification of a defect in a basic component supplied to Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant (Farley). A 10CFR21 report regarding a defect associated with Model MA-VR-350 4160 V circuit breakers supplied by AREVA was made by AREVA to SNC on October 3, 2007. The breaker design incorporates the use of a C-clip which may not have been properly installed or that can become dislodged from its groove on the Main Link Assembly pin which holds the Banana Link in place. If the Banana Link becomes disengaged from the Main link Assembly pin, the breaker will charge, but not close or it will leave the breaker in a 'trip-free' condition.
"The Model MA-VR-350 4160 V circuit breakers are used in the plant safety related 4160 V switchgear and serve as pump motor supply breakers for multiple safety related applications, e.g., component cooling water, low-head and high-head safety injection, containment spray, auxiliary feedwater, as well as the emergency diesel generator output breakers. Currently, there are breakers in stock and installed. Consequentially, their postulated failure in these critical applications could create a substantial safety hazard.
"Existing plant procedures already included pre-installation inspection steps for the Model MA-VCR-350 4160 V circuit breakers to identify loose nuts, bolts, retaining rings, or other hardware. In response to this concern, SNC revised plant procedures to add the C-clips to the inspection list to verify they are properly seated on the main link. Given the multiple examinations that were being conducted on the breakers in accordance with existing procedures, and the subsequent procedure enhancements that have been made to examine the C-clips, SNC determined that the installed breakers would continue to operate as designed on demand.
"As recommended by AREVA, a visual inspection, of the Model MA-VR-350 4160 V circuit breakers should be performed at regular maintenance intervals to insure proper installation of the C-clip on the main link assembly."
SNC has been in contact with NRC Region II (Scott Shaffer, Chuck Casto) and has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Fuel Cycle Facility |
Event Number: 43783 |
Facility: PORTSMOUTH GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANT
RX Type: URANIUM ENRICHMENT FACILITY
Comments: 2 DEMOCRACY CENTER
6903 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE
BETHESDA, MD 20817 (301)564-3200
Region: 2
City: PIKETON State: OH
County: PIKE
License #: GDP-2
Agreement: Y
Docket: 0707002
NRC Notified By: GARY SALYERS
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ |
Notification Date: 11/14/2007
Notification Time: 21:04 [ET]
Event Date: 11/14/2007
Event Time: 08:30 [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/14/2007 |
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
OTHER UNSPEC REQMNT |
Person (Organization):
GEORGE HOPPER (R2)
LARRY CAMPER (FSME) |
Event Text
24-HR INCIDENT REPORT - SAFETY SYSTEM ACTUATION
"At 0830 hours, Autoclave #5 in the X-343 Facility experienced a Steam Shutdown due to high condensate level alarm (B) actuating. The autoclave was in TSR applicable Mode IV 'Feeding, Transfer or Sampling' when the actuation occurred. This is considered a valid actuation of a 'Q' Safety System. The autoclave was placed in Mode VII 'Shutdown' and declared inoperable by the Plant Shift Superintendent (PSS). An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the actuation. No release of radioactive material occurred as a result of the incident. This is being reported in accordance with UE-RA-RE1030 Appendix D.J.2. 'Safety Equipment Actuations.'"
The licensee notified the NRC Program Manager and will notify the DOE site representative. |
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