United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission - Protecting People and the Environment

Current Event Notification Report for February 15, 2013

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
02/14/2013 - 02/15/2013

** EVENT NUMBERS **


48719 48727 48728 48729 48754 48755

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Agreement State Event Number: 48719
Rep Org: ARIZONA RADIATION REGULATORY AGENCY
Licensee: TEAM INDUSTRIAL SERVICES INC
Region: 4
City: PHOENIX State: AZ
County:
License #: 07-493
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: AUBREY GODWIN
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ
Notification Date: 02/05/2013
Notification Time: 17:51 [ET]
Event Date: 02/05/2013
Event Time: 15:00 [MST]
Last Update Date: 02/14/2013
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
DAVID PROULX (R4DO)
FSME RESOURCES ()

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - RADIOGRAPHY SOURCE STUCK OUTSIDE THE CAMERA

The following report was submitted via e-mail:

"At approximately 3:00 PM the licensee called the Agency [Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency] to report an equipment failure of an industrial radiography exposure device, involving a QSA Model 880 Delta camera, serial # D3231. The source did not crank back into a closed and shielded position after use. After working with the crank system and not being able to return the source, the crank system was disengaged and the source was pulled manually into the closed and shielded position in the camera. The camera contained 48 Curies of Selenium-75. The licensee will perform a leak test on the camera and then send it out for repair.

"The Agency continues to investigate the actions of the licensee and timeliness of reporting the incident.

"The NRC and the Arizona Governor's office have been notified of this event.

"Press coverage is not anticipated."

Arizona Incident 13-006

* * * UPDATE FROM AUBREY GODWIN VIA EMAIL TO HOWIE CROUCH @ 1127 EST ON 2/14/13 * * *

"The Licensee supplied additional information... showing the effects of heat on the equipment. The radiography was being conducted at a solar power generation site. The mirrors were rotated down so the radiography could be conducted. The guide tube appears to have partially melted. The manufacturer recommends not exceeding 200 degrees Fahrenheit for the equipment. The steering wheel of their truck was also melted.

"The Licensee is now conducting their work at night."

Notified R4DO (Hagar) and FSME_Events Resource (email).

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Agreement State Event Number: 48727
Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: DBA EARTH SYSTEMS CONSULTANTS
Region: 4
City: VENTURA State: CA
County:
License #: 0368-19
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DONALD OESTERLE
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Notification Date: 02/07/2013
Notification Time: 12:16 [ET]
Event Date: 02/06/2013
Event Time: 14:00 [PST]
Last Update Date: 02/07/2013
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
DON ALLEN (R4DO)
FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (E-MA)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE DAMAGED

The following information was received from the California Radiologic Health Branch via e-mail:

"On February 6, 2013, the licensee notified the California Department of Public Health that one of their moisture density gauges (CPN MC-1DRP, 10 mCi Cs-137, 50 mCi Am:Be-241, S/N MD00605734) was struck by a small bobcat tractor at a construction site at approximately 2:00 P.M. The gauge user had placed the gauge on the ground by the back bumper as he went to retrieve something from the cab of this truck. He no sooner started walking from the back of the truck to the side of the truck when the bobcat ran over the gauge.

"The RSO reported that although the gauge's guide tube was broken off, the body of the gauge itself was not damaged and the Cs-137 and Am-241:Be sources remained fully shielded. The external shutter, however, was slightly open. The gauge was returned to the transport case and was transported back to the licensee's facility. The RSO then contacted the manufacturer, InstroTek who instructed the RSO on how to close the shutter safely. There was no additional exposure through the external shutter even though it was slightly open because the internal shutter had remained closed during the entire event as the source rod was in the 'safe' position.

"The gauge user was wearing a whole body dosimeter which was immediately sent in for immediate processing. On February 7, 2013, [representatives from] the California Department of Public Health met with the licensee. All survey measurements were as expected for this type of gauge and there was no removable contamination found. An additional piece of lead was taped to the external shutter as a precaution during transit. The dose to any individual from this incident is estimated to be less than 0.5 millirem. The gauge is being shipped to InstroTek later today for repair."

California Report 020613

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Agreement State Event Number: 48728
Rep Org: MA RADIATION CONTROL PROGRAM
Licensee: UNKNOWN
Region: 1
City: MAYNARD State: MA
County:
License #: GENERAL
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JOHN SUMARES
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Notification Date: 02/07/2013
Notification Time: 14:10 [ET]
Event Date: 01/28/2013
Event Time: [EST]
Last Update Date: 02/07/2013
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
RAY POWELL (R1DO)
FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (E-MA)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - SMOKE DETECTORS FOUND AT SCRAP METAL RECYCLING FACILITY

The following report was received from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Radiation Control Program via facsimile:

"On 1/28/13, the radiation monitors at `Schnitzer Steel', a scrap metal dealer, detected radiation coming from an incoming truck loaded with scrap metal for disposal. The measured radiation level was 5.3 uR/hr with a background of 3.1 uR/hr. The load was rejected. The MA Radiation Control Program issued a 'DOT-SP 10656 shipment approval form' in order for the truck to return to 'Testa Corporation' [originator of the scrap shipment] of Maynard, MA. At the Maynard site, a consultant unloaded the scrap onto the ground and discovered 21 old smoke detectors. The smoke detector label identified the manufacturer as `Kiddie Corporation, Ashland, MA' and stated the smoke detector contained 1 uCi of Ra-226. The consultant secured all of the smoke detectors from unauthorized removal and is arranging for disposal via a licensed radioactive materials (RAM) waste broker."

Massachusetts Report Number: 13-0592

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Agreement State Event Number: 48729
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: EQUISTAR CHEMICALS L.P.
Region: 4
City: PASADENA State: TX
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ART TUCKER
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Notification Date: 02/07/2013
Notification Time: 15:13 [ET]
Event Date: 02/07/2013
Event Time: [CST]
Last Update Date: 02/07/2013
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
DON ALLEN (R4DO)
FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (E-MA)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - PROCESS GAUGE SHUTTER STUCK OPEN

The following report was received from State of Texas Radiation Branch via e-mail:

"On February 7, 2013, the Agency [State of Texas Radiation Branch] was notified by the licensee that the shutter on an Ohmart model SH-F1A nuclear gauge was stuck in the open position. The gauge contains a 50 millicurie cesium - 137 source. Open is the normal operating position for this gauge. The licensee has notified their personnel that no entry into the vessel the gauge is mounted on is allowed until the gauge is repaired. The manufacturer has been contacted and arrangements to repair the gauge are being completed. The failure does not create an exposure risk to any individual. This gauge had previously failed in February of 2012 (EN47691). Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA - 300."

Texas Report: I-9039.

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Power Reactor Event Number: 48754
Facility: MONTICELLO
Region: 3 State: MN
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-3
NRC Notified By: LT. DANA ANTON
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN
Notification Date: 02/14/2013
Notification Time: 18:31 [ET]
Event Date: 02/14/2013
Event Time: 17:10 [CST]
Last Update Date: 02/14/2013
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
Person (Organization):
PATTY PELKE (R3DO)

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 DUE TO RELEASE OF AMERTAP BALLS INTO THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER

"On 2/14/2013, Xcel Energy personnel determined that approximately 44% of the Amertap balls recently used were not recovered. Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant is required to report to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) when greater than 20% of the Amertap balls are not recovered. This is based on an agreement with the MPCA dated September 12, 2008. The MPCA was notified at 1710 CST on 2/14/2013."

The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

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Power Reactor Event Number: 48755
Facility: WOLF CREEK
Region: 4 State: KS
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: RON SIMS
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ
Notification Date: 02/14/2013
Notification Time: 23:58 [ET]
Event Date: 02/14/2013
Event Time: 21:30 [CST]
Last Update Date: 02/15/2013
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
Person (Organization):
BOB HAGAR (R4DO)

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
1 N N 0 Refueling 0 Refueling

Event Text

HYDRAULIC OIL LEAK TO ENVIRONMENT

"Approximately 15 gallons of hydraulic oil was spilled from excavation equipment onto the ground inside the protected area boundary. Notifications have been made to the National Response Center and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Cleanup by on-site personnel is in progress.

"NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Friday, February 15, 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013