The following report was received from the State of
California via email:
On 07/21/15, the Sterigenics Corporate RSO [Radiation Safety Officer] contacted [California - Radiologic Health Branch] RHB-Sacramento office, via an email and telephone, to report the following event in accordance with [10CFR]36.83(a)(4). [The licensee's] email stated the following:
Last night, at approximately [0011] PDT, at the Sterigenics Hayward Facility (Radioactive materials License 6268-1), the pneumatic cylinder used to raise one of the two source racks (Hoist #1) failed to function as designed. The failure did not cause a stuck source, nor was there any risk of exposure to any individual as a result of this failure. The source did return to the down position in the pool as designed, however, the pneumatic cylinder experienced a failure and a broken flange and is not operable.
[The licensee] will review, in detail, the cause of this failure and implement appropriate corrective action including any necessary changes in maintenance and equipment and report these changes to [the State of California] in writing, within 30 days, as required by 10CFR36.83(b).
In the interim, the facility will not commence operations until repairs are completed to the hoist and approval to commence operations is granted by the Corporate RSO and Corporate Engineering.
[The licensee RSO] further stated that there is no emergency or current issue. A corporate engineer will arrive in San Francisco by [1400 PDT] on 7/21/15, to work on the irradiator. The facility is staffed 24/7 and will notify RHB before resuming any operations.
[California] RHB will be following up with the licensee.
The irradiator is in safe mode and the licensee will be investigating the reason for the failure.