NRC: News Release - Region III - 2009-002 - NRC Proposed $6,500 Fine Against Indiana Company for Agency Violations

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NRC NEWS
U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Office of Public Affairs, Region III
2443 Warrenville Road, Lisle, IL 60532
www.nrc.gov

No. III-09-002		January 14, 2009
CONTACT:	Viktoria Mitlyng (630) 829-9662 Prema Chandrathil (630) 829-9663	E-mail: OPA3.RegionIII@nrc.gov
NRC PROPOSED $6,500 FINE AGAINST INDIANA COMPANY FOR AGENCY VIOLATIONS Printable Version
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff has proposed a $6,500 fine against Calumet Testing Services located in Griffith, Ind., for failing to properly operate a radiography camera containing a shielded radioactive source. In July 2008, two radiographers were preparing to take images of a pipe using a radiography camera when they discovered a control cable was not connected. The cable drives the radioactive material in and out of the camera to take x-ray like images of the piping. As radiographers approached the source their radiation meters sounded. They made three attempts to retract the radiography source but were unable to do so. The radiographers took immediate measures to shield themselves. They were not exposed to a dose exceeding the NRC’s regulatory limits. No member of the public was affected. Following an investigation of the incident, the NRC staff determined that the failure to properly connect the cable to the radiography source before using the camera was a violation of NRC requirements. “The failure to properly handle radioactive material is a significant safety issue,” said James Caldwell, NRC Regional Administrator. “Though no one was exposed to excess radiation levels, this incident shows how important safe operation of equipment is to ensure public health and safety.” Corrective actions were taken by Calumet Testing Services to prevent recurrence. Some of the corrective actions included a radiation safety meeting where workers discussed the incident, a review of the operating and emergency procedures and a plan to conduct regularly scheduled equipment tests. This violation will result in an increase of NRC inspections. The company has 30 days to either pay the proposed fine or challenge it. The NRC’s letter, its enclosures, and the company’s response are available to the public through the agency’s public electronic reading room at: http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. Help in accessing these documents is available from the NRC Public Document Room at 1-800-397-4209.
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