 |
NRC NEWS
U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, REGION IV
1450 Maria Lane, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 |
| CONTACT: |
Mark Hammond (510) 975-0254/E-mail: mfh2@nrc.gov |
CONTACT: Mark Hammond June 7, 1996
Office: (510) 975-0254 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Home: (415) 674-1024 RIV-3996
Pager: (800) 916-4952
NRC PROPOSES $1,500 FINES
FOR SAN DIEGO RADIOGRAPHY FIRMS
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff has proposed fining two San Diego radiography
firms $1,500 each for conducting radiography on U.S. Navy ships without NRC licenses or
authorization.
An NRC inspection determined that the two companies, Industrial Marine Testing Labs
and Gamma Tech Industries, were aware that an NRC license was necessary for radiography on
Navy ships. As an alternative to obtaining a license, the firms also had the option of filing for
reciprocity with the NRC. That involves notifying the agency of intended work not covered by a
state license, receiving approval and paying a fee.
Both firms are licensed by the State of California to conduct radiography in California,
except in areas of exclusive federal jurisdiction, such as Navy ships. (Radiography uses high-energy X-ray or gamma radiation and special cameras to photograph industrial equipment for
quality control).
An NRC inspection and investigation of the two firms that began last summer determined
that Gamma Tech and Industrial Marine had practiced unauthorized radiography on Navy ships
on multiple occasions over the past several years.
The NRC's inspection of the firms' records and interviews with personnel did not reveal
any significant safety violations, L. J. Callan, Regional Administrator of NRC Region IV in
Arlington, Texas, said in letters informing the companies of the fines.
``Nonetheless, the failure to obtain NRC authorization is a matter of significant regulatory
concern because it denies the NRC the opportunity to assure through inspections that radiography
activities are being conducted in compliance with all NRC radiation safety requirements,'' Mr.
Callan said.
The violations are classified as Severity Level III under NRC's four-level classification
system. Level IV is the least serious. Each company has 30 days to pay the penalty or protest it. If
the protest is denied, a company may request a hearing.
####
|
