ENS 54032
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
10:45 Apr 28, 2019 | |
| Title | Safety Equipment Failure - Radiography Source Failed to Retract |
| Event Description | This report is intended to serve the requirements of written notification of an inability to retract a radionuclide source assembly to its fully shielded position, per 10 CFR 34.101(a)(2). The incident occurred at NIPSCO Michigan City Generating Station [in] Michigan City, IN at 0545 CDT, on 28 April, 2019. The event consisted of a temporary inability of the radiography crew to immediately return a radionuclide source assembly of Cobalt-60 (76 Ci) to its fully shielded position.
The cause of the incident is presumed to be a source guide [tube] positioned with too tight of a radius, through which the sealed source could not be fully retracted. The equipment involved was manufactured by Source Production and Equipment Co., and was a model SPEC-300 projector (SN: 0080) and model G-70 source assembly (SN: C60-100). The actions taken to return the source assembly to the projector consisted retracting the source as far as possible, the RSO [Radiation Safety Officer] approaching from behind the projector, using the intrinsic shielding of the exposure device as shielding, straightening the guide tube with the use of 7 ft. remote-handling tongs, allowing the source to clear the bend in the source guide tube, then retracting the source, as normal, using the control cables. The incident occurred at approximately 0545 CDT, and upon discovering that the inability to fully retract the source, radiographer called [the] RSO at 0552 [CDT], while [the] assistant radiographer extended barricades to emergency distance. [The] RSO left his home promptly to gather the retrieval kit from IRISNDT's Hammond, IN office. RSO arrived on site at approximately 0715 [CDT]. After performing an assessment, the source retrieval took approximately fifteen (15) minutes to complete, and the source was returned to the shielded position by 0745 [CDT]. All retrieval operations were conducted by individuals who have been trained to perform such tasks. All associated remote-handling equipment was subsequently removed from service for inspection. No involved equipment was found to be damaged or defective. No members of the public received any dose. The lead radiographer, received a dose of 8.8 mrem from the start of his shift until the retrieval was complete, the assistant radiographer, received a dose of 0.2 mrem from the start of his shift until the retrieval was complete, and the RSO performing the retrieval, received a total dose of 4.3 mrem. Radiographic personnel responded appropriately in identifying that the source had not returned to the shielded position, reposting and monitoring emergency barricades, contacting the Radiation Safety Officer, maintaining the restricted area while awaiting the RSO's arrival to site, and assisting with the retrieval as instructed, and following all procedures and O&E instructions. |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Irisndt, Llc Hammond, Indiana (NRC Region 3) | |
| License number: | 13-32791-01, AMD 5 |
| Organization: | Irisndt, Llc |
| Reporting | |
| 10 CFR 30.50(b)(2), Licensed Material Protection Equipment Failure | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+4.32 h0.18 days <br />0.0257 weeks <br />0.00592 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Kyle Ledbetter 15:04 Apr 28, 2019 |
| NRC Officer: | Bethany Cecere |
| Last Updated: | Apr 28, 2019 |
| 54032 - NRC Website | |
Irisndt, Llc with 10 CFR 30.50(b)(2) | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 540322019-04-28T10:45:00028 April 2019 10:45:00
[Table view]10 CFR 30.50(b)(2) Safety Equipment Failure - Radiography Source Failed to Retract 2019-04-28T10:45:00 | |