skip navigation links 
 
 Search Options 
Index | Site Map | FAQ | Facility Info | Reading Rm | New | Help | Glossary | Contact Us blue spacer  
secondary page banner Return to NRC Home Page

Event Notification Report for May 7, 2003



                    U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
                              Operations Center

                              Event Reports For
                           05/06/2003 - 05/07/2003

                              ** EVENT NUMBERS **

39814  39820  39826  39827  39828  39829  39830  


+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|General Information or Other                     |Event Number:   39814       |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| REP ORG:  NE DIV OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS      |NOTIFICATION DATE: 05/01/2003|
|LICENSEE:  BECTON DICKINSON CONSUMER PRODUCTS   |NOTIFICATION TIME: 09:54[EDT]|
|    CITY:  HOLDREGE                 REGION:  4  |EVENT DATE:        04/27/2003|
|  COUNTY:                            STATE:  NE |EVENT TIME:        12:00[CDT]|
|LICENSE#:  37--3-01              AGREEMENT:  Y  |LAST UPDATE DATE:  05/01/2003|
|  DOCKET:                                       |+----------------------------+
|                                                |PERSON          ORGANIZATION |
|                                                |GREG PICK            R4      |
|                                                |TOM ESSIG            NMSS    |
+------------------------------------------------+                             |
| NRC NOTIFIED BY:  H. SHUMAN                    |                             |
|  HQ OPS OFFICER:  JOHN MacKINNON               |                             |
+------------------------------------------------+                             |
|EMERGENCY CLASS:          NON EMERGENCY         |                             |
|10 CFR SECTION:                                 |                             |
|NAGR                     AGREEMENT STATE        |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

                                   EVENT TEXT                                   
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| STUCK IRRADIATOR SOURCE                                                      |
|                                                                              |
| The State of Nebraska was notified by Becton Dickinson Consumer Products     |
| located in Holdrege, Nebraska, that on 04/27/03 a source got stuck in the    |
| Becton Dickinson Pool Irradiator.  The stuck source was moved to a shielded  |
| position. Nordion repaired the stuck source on 04/27/03.  Nobody was exposed |
| to the stuck source.                                                         |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|General Information or Other                     |Event Number:   39820       |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| REP ORG:  NC DIV OF RADIATION PROTECTION       |NOTIFICATION DATE: 05/02/2003|
|LICENSEE:  TROXLER                              |NOTIFICATION TIME: 16:32[EDT]|
|    CITY:  RALEIGH                  REGION:  2  |EVENT DATE:        03/24/2003|
|  COUNTY:                            STATE:  NC |EVENT TIME:             [EDT]|
|LICENSE#:  032-0182-1            AGREEMENT:  Y  |LAST UPDATE DATE:  05/02/2003|
|  DOCKET:                                       |+----------------------------+
|                                                |PERSON          ORGANIZATION |
|                                                |JOEL MUNDAY          R2      |
|                                                |C. MILLER            NMSS    |
+------------------------------------------------+F. BROWN             NMSS    |
| NRC NOTIFIED BY:  JAMES ALBRIGHT               |                             |
|  HQ OPS OFFICER:  MIKE RIPLEY                  |                             |
+------------------------------------------------+                             |
|EMERGENCY CLASS:          NON EMERGENCY         |                             |
|10 CFR SECTION:                                 |                             |
|NAGR                     AGREEMENT STATE        |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

                                   EVENT TEXT                                   
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - RADIOACTIVE SHIPMENT EXCEEDED LIMITS                |
|                                                                              |
| On 3/24/03 Troxler Electronic Laboratories of Research Triangle Park, NC     |
| received a shipment of two boxes from AEA Technology, Inc. of Burlington,    |
| MA.  Each box contained fifty 40 millicurie Am-241:Be sources.  Following    |
| return of a survey meter from calibration, the RSO at Troxler performed a    |
| survey of the boxes on 3/31/03 and determined that the radiation levels      |
| exceeded limits for the shipment.  Each box measured 315 millirem/hr neutron |
| and gamma at the surface (limit of 200 millirem/hr).  Additionally, the bill |
| of lading and DOT sticker on each box listed the Transportation Index (TI)   |
| at 1.6 which is the limit, however the measured TI was 3.1 (3.0 millirem/hr  |
| neutron and 0.1 millirem/hr gamma at 1 meter).                               |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Power Reactor                                    |Event Number:   39826       |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FACILITY: TURKEY POINT             REGION:  2  |NOTIFICATION DATE: 05/05/2003|
|    UNIT:  [3] [4] []                STATE:  FL |NOTIFICATION TIME: 23:48[EDT]|
|   RXTYPE: [3] W-3-LP,[4] W-3-LP                |EVENT DATE:        05/05/2003|
+------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME:        20:41[EDT]|
| NRC NOTIFIED BY:  HARRISON                     |LAST UPDATE DATE:  05/05/2003|
|  HQ OPS OFFICER:  CHAUNCEY GOULD               +-----------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------+PERSON          ORGANIZATION |
|EMERGENCY CLASS:          NON EMERGENCY         |JOEL MUNDAY          R2      |
|10 CFR SECTION:                                 |                             |
|ACOM 50.72(b)(3)(xiii)   LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE|                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR|   INIT RX MODE  |CURR PWR|  CURR RX MODE   |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|3     N          Y       100      Power Operation  |100      Power Operation  |
|4     N          Y       100      Power Operation  |100      Power Operation  |
|                                                   |                          |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
                                   EVENT TEXT                                   
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| LOST ERDS DUE TO COMPUTER MALFUNCTION                                        |
|                                                                              |
| "Loss of ERDS communication Link from 20:41 [EDT] until 22:26 [EDT] 5/5/03.  |
| Computer displayed hard disk error.  Rebooted machine; error corrected.      |
| Re-established ERDS Link."                                                   |
|                                                                              |
| The NRC Resident Inspector will be notified by the licensee.                 |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Fuel Cycle Facility                              |Event Number:   39827       |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FACILITY: PORTSMOUTH GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANT   |NOTIFICATION DATE: 05/06/2003|
|   RXTYPE: URANIUM ENRICHMENT FACILITY          |NOTIFICATION TIME: 10:24[EDT]|
| COMMENTS: 2 DEMOCRACY CENTER                   |EVENT DATE:        05/06/2003|
|           6903 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE                 |EVENT TIME:             [EDT]|
|           BETHESDA, MD 20817    (301)564-3200  |LAST UPDATE DATE:  05/06/2003|
|    CITY:  PIKETON                  REGION:  3  +-----------------------------+
|  COUNTY:  PIKE                      STATE:  OH |PERSON          ORGANIZATION |
|LICENSE#:  GDP-2                 AGREEMENT:  N  |ROGER LANKSBURY      R3      |
|  DOCKET:  0707002                              |ERIC LEEDS           NMSS    |
+------------------------------------------------+NADER MAMISH         IRO     |
| NRC NOTIFIED BY:  KEITYH VANDERPOOL            |                             |
|  HQ OPS OFFICER:  ERIC THOMAS                  |                             |
+------------------------------------------------+                             |
|EMERGENCY CLASS:          NON EMERGENCY         |                             |
|10 CFR SECTION:                                 |                             |
|QSAF 72.75(c)(2)         SAFETY EQUIP DISABLED/F|                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

                                   EVENT TEXT                                   
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE                                                     |
|                                                                              |
| "Operations Personnel were performing a cylinder disconnect in Autoclave #2. |
| The cylinder was rolled from the 6 O'Clock cylinder valve position, to the   |
| 12 O'Clock cylinder valve position to complete disconnecting the cylinder    |
| safety valve and pigtail from the cylinder.  At approximately 2006 hours UF6 |
| was observed smoking from the mechanical connection for the cylinder safety  |
| valve and the cylinder valve.  Additionally, smoke appeared to be coming     |
| from the top of the cylinder valve.  The Operator seeing the smoke alerted   |
| personnel in the area, actuated the Emergency Shell Closure and the Gas      |
| Release Alarm placing the Autoclave in containment.  Emergency Response      |
| Personnel Responded and performed Air Samples for HF and Uranium.  All       |
| samples were less than Minimum Detectable."                                  |
|                                                                              |
| The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector, and will notify the        |
| Department of Energy.                                                        |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Power Reactor                                    |Event Number:   39828       |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FACILITY: HATCH                    REGION:  2  |NOTIFICATION DATE: 05/06/2003|
|    UNIT:  [1] [2] []                STATE:  GA |NOTIFICATION TIME: 14:08[EDT]|
|   RXTYPE: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4                    |EVENT DATE:        05/06/2003|
+------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME:        08:57[EDT]|
| NRC NOTIFIED BY:  DISMUKE                      |LAST UPDATE DATE:  05/06/2003|
|  HQ OPS OFFICER:  CHAUNCEY GOULD               +-----------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------+PERSON          ORGANIZATION |
|EMERGENCY CLASS:          NON EMERGENCY         |PAUL FREDRICKSON     R2      |
|10 CFR SECTION:                                 |                             |
|ACOM 50.72(b)(3)(xiii)   LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE|                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR|   INIT RX MODE  |CURR PWR|  CURR RX MODE   |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|1     N          Y       100      Power Operation  |100      Power Operation  |
|2     N          Y       100      Power Operation  |100      Power Operation  |
|                                                   |                          |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
                                   EVENT TEXT                                   
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| NOAA WEATHER RADIO PROMPT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM OUT OF SERVICE FOR PLANNED     |
| OUTAGE                                                                       |
|                                                                              |
| NOAA Weather Radio Prompt Notification System was taken out of service by    |
| the National Weather Service for a planned outage. This results in a Major   |
| Loss of Offsite Notification capability.  The State of Georgia (GEMA) and    |
| the 4 EPZ counties were notified of the NOAA Weather Radio Prompt            |
| Notification System outage.  NOAA Weather Radio Prompt Notification System   |
| was returned to service at 1338 EDT. The State of Georgia (GEMA) and the 4   |
| EPZ counties were notified that the NOAA Weather Radio Prompt Notification   |
| System is back in service.                                                   |
|                                                                              |
|                                                                              |
| The state and local agencies were notified and the NRC Resident Inspector    |
| will be notified.                                                            |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Power Reactor                                    |Event Number:   39829       |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FACILITY: SURRY                    REGION:  2  |NOTIFICATION DATE: 05/06/2003|
|    UNIT:  [1] [2] []                STATE:  VA |NOTIFICATION TIME: 15:12[EDT]|
|   RXTYPE: [1] W-3-LP,[2] W-3-LP                |EVENT DATE:        05/06/2003|
+------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME:        11:30[EDT]|
| NRC NOTIFIED BY:  WHEELER                      |LAST UPDATE DATE:  05/06/2003|
|  HQ OPS OFFICER:  CHAUNCEY GOULD               +-----------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------+PERSON          ORGANIZATION |
|EMERGENCY CLASS:          NON EMERGENCY         |PAUL FREDRICKSON     R2      |
|10 CFR SECTION:                                 |                             |
|APRE 50.72(b)(2)(xi)     OFFSITE NOTIFICATION   |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR|   INIT RX MODE  |CURR PWR|  CURR RX MODE   |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|1     N          N       0        Refueling        |0        Refueling        |
|2     N          Y       100      Power Operation  |100      Power Operation  |
|                                                   |                          |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
                                   EVENT TEXT                                   
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| OVERFLOW OF PLANT WASTE WATER INTO THE JAMES RIVER                           |
|                                                                              |
| At 1130 hours on 5/06/03, wastewater overflowed from a holding tank, which   |
| resulted in a discharge of sewage into state waters through the plants storm |
| drain system. This discharge was a result of a failure of a transfer pump,   |
| which pumps the wastewater from the holding tank to another portion of the   |
| stations water treatment system.  It is estimated that approximately 150     |
| gallons of wastewater entered the plants discharge canal which enters state  |
| waters before it was isolated.  Cleanup efforts are in progress.  This event |
| is being reported in accordance with 10CFR50.72(b)(2)(xi) due to the fact    |
| that the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality was notified at 1424   |
| hours of the discharge into state waters.                                    |
|                                                                              |
|                                                                              |
| The State was notified and the NRC resident Inspector will be notified.      |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Fuel Cycle Facility                              |Event Number:   39830       |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FACILITY: PORTSMOUTH GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANT   |NOTIFICATION DATE: 05/06/2003|
|   RXTYPE: URANIUM ENRICHMENT FACILITY          |NOTIFICATION TIME: 15:46[EDT]|
| COMMENTS: 2 DEMOCRACY CENTER                   |EVENT DATE:        05/05/2003|
|           6903 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE                 |EVENT TIME:        19:05[EDT]|
|           BETHESDA, MD 20817    (301)564-3200  |LAST UPDATE DATE:  05/06/2003|
|    CITY:  PIKETON                  REGION:  3  +-----------------------------+
|  COUNTY:  PIKE                      STATE:  OH |PERSON          ORGANIZATION |
|LICENSE#:  GDP-2                 AGREEMENT:  N  |ROGER LANKSBURY      R3      |
|  DOCKET:  0707002                              |TOM ESSIG            NMSS    |
+------------------------------------------------+                             |
| NRC NOTIFIED BY:  VANDERPOOL                   |                             |
|  HQ OPS OFFICER:  CHAUNCEY GOULD               |                             |
+------------------------------------------------+                             |
|EMERGENCY CLASS:          NON EMERGENCY         |                             |
|10 CFR SECTION:                                 |                             |
|OSAF 76.120(c)(2)        SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILUR|                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

                                   EVENT TEXT                                   
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| AUTOCLAVE "O" RING FAILURE                                                   |
|                                                                              |
| On 5/5/03 at approximately 1905 hours, X-344 Operations Personnel identified |
| visible/audible steam out leakage on Autoclave #2.   Autoclave #2 was        |
| operating in Operational Mode 2 (heating) at the time of discovery.  The out |
| leakage was determined to be due to a failure of the "Q" Safety System       |
| Component "O"-Ring which seals the cylinder within the autoclave.  The       |
| Autoclave Steam Supply was immediately valved off and the autoclave was      |
| opened for inspection.  This inspection identified a 9/16" gap in the        |
| "O"-Ring Seal which would have degraded the seal to the point that it could  |
| not perform its designed safety function as required during Operational Mode |
| 2 Evolutions.  This incident is being reported as a Safety Equipment Failure |
| while operating in an Applicable Mode.  Immediate Radiation / Air Monitoring |
| indicates no release of Radioactive Material occurred as a result of this    |
| incident.   The Autoclave was declared inoperable by the Plant Shift         |
| Superintendent.                                                              |
|                                                                              |
| The NRC Resident Inspector was notified.                                     |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+