The following information was received via email from the
Illinois Emergency Management Agency (the Agency):
The Agency was contacted on August 22, 2023, by Combined Metals of Chicago, LLC in Elgin IL to advise of a stuck open shutter on a 100 mCi Sr-90 fixed gauge. The reportable equipment failure was discovered by the maintenance team during the morning hours on August 22, 2023. The Radiation Safety Officer [RSO] was promptly advised and took appropriate steps to ensure adequate control of the gauge and area until the shutter is repaired. No personnel exposures occurred as a result. The incident was reported to the Agency within 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> as required under 32 Ill. Adm. Code 340.1220(c)(2). Agency staff will perform a combined reactionary/routine inspection next week to review the event and confirm that appropriate corrective actions were taken.
Details: Radioactive Materials Staff were contacted via email at 0955 EDT on August 22, 2023 by the RSO at Combined Metals of Chicago, LLC (IL-02397-01) regarding a reportable equipment failure. The stuck open shutter on a Radiometrie thickness gauge containing 100 mCi of Sr-90 was identified by the maintenance team during typical operations early this same morning. The RSO confirmed that the gauge will remain in its mounted condition and that a 1 inch Lexon polycarbonate shield/guard (used during typical running operations) was placed on the gauge. Exposure readings reported during a 2019 inspection by the Agency reported a maximum exposure rate of 600 microrem/hr at contact with the gauge (shutter open). Operators/maintenance staff were immediately advised of the inoperable shutter and per the RSO remained at least 6 feet from the gauge during typical operations. Currently no product is running through the affected line. Agency staff will verify reported actions taken by the RSO during a reactionary/routine inspection to be performed next week. The manufacturer was notified and is scheduled to be on site Thursday, August 24, 2023 to repair the shutter. No personnel exposures were reported and actions taken by the RSO appear adequate to ensure the safety of plant personnel pending repair of the shutter.
Illinois Item Number: IL230020