The following summary was obtained via phone and email from the
South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control [the Department]:
On February 9, 2023, at 1534 EST, the Department was notified by WestRock Charleston Kraft, LLC of a shutter on an Ohmart SH-F1 gauging device (serial number 67584) containing 10 mCi of Cs-137 that was stuck in the open position. The shutter was found during the licensee's six month inventory and shutter check. The gauge is in an isolated area not heavily trafficked.
The vat that the gauge is attached to leaks directly onto the gauge, so it was previously recommended that the gauge be covered. The recommendation did not help. The contractor surveyed the gauge and got no higher than 2 mR/hr at a foot. The inspector concurred after using his [model] 14-C [detector] (serial number 99961). The numbers were approximately 4 mR/hr on the outside surface of the covering. It has been decided by the licensee that because it is in a very unobtainable location, they will leave it in the open and operating position until they remove the entire vat from service in March or April.
South Carolina Event Number: EN56348
The following summary was obtained via email from the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control:
The licensee submitted a 30-day written report on 03/09/23. The licensee reported no overexposures and that the gauging device will be disposed by 05/31/23. The licensee also reported that the gauging device contains 100 mCi of Cs-137 and not 10 mCi of Cs-137 as originally reported. This event is still under investigation.
Notified R1DO (Young), and NMSS Events Notification (via email).
The gauging device was transferred for disposal on 4/13/23. This event is considered closed.
Notified R1DO (Dimitriadis), and
NMSS Events Notification (via email).