The following information was received from the State of
North Carolina via email:
On June 22, 2017 at [1130 EDT], North Carolina Radiation Protection Section (RPS) was informed by the Radiation Safety Officer for Hospira, Inc. (Pfizer), Rocky Mount, NC (License 064-0969-1) that they were experiencing an issue involving their Wet Shielded Irradiator (Nordion Model JS-8900, Serial Number IR-183, approved for 4,800,000.00 Ci of Co-60). RSO stated that during routine maintenance checks the Source 1 Rack of the irradiator would not trip the down switch to confirm the source rack was in the down position on the control panel and that they were following emergency procedures. Nordion was then contacted by the licensee to obtain assistance. RPS inspectors were immediately dispatched to the licensee's site.
Once on site, RSO informed RPS that visual confirmation was made of source position via hydraulic cylinders that were fully extended, comparison of cable tightness on roof was observed, and that no indication of radiation in the vault was detected; all leading to the unconfirmed indication that the source rack had moved to the down position. With the assistance from Nordion, Hospira staff were able to initiate bypass procedures and gain access to the vault where confirmation was made that the source racks were in the down position.
Nordion advised that a faulty down position switch was the cause for the failure. Switch was repaired on site by Hospira engineers, same day. Following repair, Hospira personnel cycled the sources which were brought up into position for one sterilization cycle and then the sources were brought down to test the position sensor. The test was successful, as indicated by the down position indicator lamps and screen on the operator's panel. Nordion staff was informed of the successful test and Hospira staff continued procedural tests to confirm full functionality. After confirming cycling up and down of the source racks, Hospira personnel performed full monthly QA check before resuming operations. 30-Day report is pending to RPS.
- * * UPDATE ON 8/2/2017 AT 1042 EDT FROM TRAVIS CARTOSKI TO DONG PARK * * *
The following information was received from the State of North Carolina via email:
We have completed our investigation and have no further information to provide in this event report. We would like to request [NMED] Event 170315 be Closed & Complete.
Notified R1DO (Lilliendahl) and
NMSS Events Notification via email.