NRC SUSPENDS LICENSE OF A MISSOURI INDUSTRIAL TESTING COMPANY
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KTL Roudebush Testing holds an NRC license to possess and use radioactive material for radiography, which uses sealed radiation sources to make x-ray-like images of heavy metal objects like pumps, valves, and pipes.

An NRC inspection and followup investigation by the agency’s Office of Investigations found numerous violations of NRC safety requirements. The Order, issued March 11, required the company to stop immediately all work involving NRC-licensed radioactive materials and to place the materials in secure storage. An NRC inspector on March 12 confirmed through direct observation that the materials were placed in storage, as required.

The Order resulted from NRC’s concerns about the company’s willingness to comply with NRC’s requirements and to conduct its activities in a manner that protects the health and safety of workers and the public. In addition to suspending licensed activities, the Order also directs the company to explain why its license should not be revoked and, if the license continues, how the company would ensure compliance with NRC requirements in the future.

The NRC Office of Investigations completed its report in February and -- with NRC inspections last year -- identified nine deliberate violations of NRC requirements:

• Conducting radiography without a second qualified individual being present as required;
• Permitting individuals to act as radiographer’s assistants without completing required training;
• Permitting a person to act as a radiographer’s assistant without wearing required radiation measuring devices;
• Failing to properly inspect and maintain radiography equipment;
• Providing inaccurate and incomplete information to the NRC on the required quarterly inspections of radiography equipment;
• Providing other inaccurate and incomplete information and failing to comply with an NRC subpoena;
• And three transportation-related violations - failing to properly secure radiography equipment during shipment, failing to properly cover the equipment fittings to protect them during shipment, and transporting radiography equipment without required safety documentation.

The company must submit an answer to the NRC Order by March 31 and may request a hearing. After reviewing the response, the NRC will determine if further action is necessary to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

The letter notifying KTL Roudebush Testing of the Order and the Order will be available on the NRC web site at: http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/enforcement/actions/materials/ and may also be obtained from the NRC Office of Public Affairs.

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Thursday, February 22, 2007