ENS 57152
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
08:30 May 30, 2024 | |
| Title | Medical Transport with Contamination |
| Event Description | The following information was provided by the licensee via email:
At approximately 0430 [EDT] on May 30, 2024, conversion operators were performing a deionized (DI) water flush on the conversion line 3 decanter following completion of the acid wash. The DI water valve required closing on the conversion line 3 decanter platform to complete the evolution. In the process of completing this step on the decanter platform, an operator inadvertently stepped on a catch pan containing a small quantity of nitric acid. When the operator stepped on the pan, it flipped over causing nitric acid to splash onto the operators leg. The nitric acid is added either manually to a bucket or by connecting a hose to the decanter system to perform the acid wash step. The nitric acid supply line for acid wash additions is isolated by a spring-loaded valve, and a catch pan is located underneath this segment of nitric acid piping to collect residual liquid drips and protect the decanter platform floor from corrosion. The operator was wearing the required personal protective equipment for the DI water flushing evolution. The operator immediately reported the exposure to a nearby coworker and was instructed to rinse the exposed skin. The skin area was rinsed for approximately twenty minutes. The incident commander and medical first responders from the Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility (CFFF) emergency brigade provided initial medical treatment. Health physics (HP) surveys detected contamination on the exposed area of the employees skin. Direct survey results were 2700 dpm/100 cm squared alpha for the inner right thigh/knee area, 2000 dpm/100 cm squared for the inner right ankle and 800 dpm/100 cm squared alpha for the left hand. All smear survey results of the exposed skin area were below clean area limits (less than 200 dpm/100 cm squared). As a precaution to ensure comprehensive evaluation and treatment for nitric acid exposure to the skin, the operator was transported by ambulance to an offsite medical facility. Per procedure the employees leg was wrapped in plastic, and the employee was accompanied by a CFFF HP technician for evaluation. Contamination surveys were performed in the ambulance and at the offsite medical facility and all results were below clean area limits indicating no spread of contamination during care for the employee. All potentially contaminated materials associated with the transport were collected and returned to the CFFF for disposal. All Conversion lines were inspected for extent of condition with pans or pales containing nitric acid. Containers with acid were emptied and valves in the vicinity of each decanter in conversion were inspected for leaks. The event did not exceed the performance requirements of 10 CFR 70.61 as analyzed in the integrated safety analysis. This event did not impact safety equipment. A causal analysis and corrective actions will be documented in the corrective action program. NRC Regional staff was notified. |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Westinghouse Electric Corporation Columbia, South Carolina (NRC Region 2) | |
| License number: | SNM-1107 |
| Reporting | |
| 10 CFR 70.50(b)(3) | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+8.62 h0.359 days <br />0.0513 weeks <br />0.0118 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Steve Subosits 17:07 May 30, 2024 |
| NRC Officer: | Josue Ramirez |
| Last Updated: | May 30, 2024 |
| 57152 - NRC Website | |
Westinghouse Electric Corporation with 10 CFR 70.50(b)(3) | ||
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 571522024-05-30T08:30:00030 May 2024 08:30:00 10 CFR 70.50(b)(3) Medical Transport with Contamination ENS 554122021-08-17T06:30:00017 August 2021 06:30:00 10 CFR 70.50(b)(3) Medical Treatment with Contamination ENS 549012020-09-15T13:00:00015 September 2020 13:00:00 10 CFR 70.50(b)(3) | Unplanned Medical Treatment ENS 548012020-07-25T15:00:00025 July 2020 15:00:00 10 CFR 70.50(b)(3) Contaminated Injured Employee Taken to Hospital ENS 537462018-11-19T05:00:00019 November 2018 05:00:00 Part 70 App A (C), 10 CFR 70.50(b)(3) Contaminated Worker Requiring Medical Treatment ENS 478612012-04-24T02:00:00024 April 2012 02:00:00 10 CFR 70.50(b)(3) Contaminated Individual Required Medical Treatment 2024-05-30T08:30:00 [Table view] | |