IR 015000038/1998003

Ack Receipt of Informing NRC of Steps Taken to Correct Violations Noted in Insp Rept 15000038/98-03 on 960318

ML20154R391
Person / Time
Site:	15000038, 015000038
Issue date:	10/19/1998
From:	Blough A NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
To:	Giarrusso J AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED
References
15000038-98-03, 15000038-98-3, EA-98-256, NUDOCS 9810270012
Download: ML20154R391 (4)

Text

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l October 19,1998 1

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Docket No. 150-00038 RI License No. 3D-117-01 EA No.98-256 James I

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Radiation Safety Officer Ocean State Technical Services .

2440 Mendon Road Cumberland, Rl 02864-3799 SUBJECT: ~ INSPECTION NO. 150-00038/96-003

Dear Mr. Giarrusso:

This letter refers to your May 16,1996 correspondence, in response to our April 19,1996 letter and to a telephone discussion between you and Mr. Steven Courtemanche of this office on

. October 7,1998. Thank you for informing us of the corrective and preventive actions

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documented in your letter concoming items A, B, and D found in the Notice of Violation (Notice)

enclosed with our April 19,1996 letter. These actions will be examined during a future inspection of your licensed program since they were not examined during the December 18, 1997 inspection of your home office.

In your May 16,1996 letter, you deny items C.1. and C.2. of our Notice enclosed with our April 19,1996 letter.

In reference to item C.1., you stated that the source was not secured in its overpack at the time the inspector examined it because the radiography camera was not in the transport mode You further stated that the tiedown system for the overpack was not in place at the time of the

inspection. The circumstances behind the above situation were further clarified during the telephone discussion of October 7,1998. You stated that the tie-down system for the overpack is taken down by your staff because it presents a tripping hazard when not used in the transport mode.. It was also determined that your staff misinterpreted the inspector's question due to -

nervousness when asked if the radiography camera was always transported in the overpack

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without blocking and bracing as seen at the time of the inspection. Your staff failed to show the inspector the tie down system used while the radiography camera was in the overpack in 15e transport mode. Based on the above, our records have been changed to reflect the withdrawal of item C.1. of the Notice enclosed with our April 19,1996 letter.

I in reference to item C.2., you stated that the overpack has the appropriate hazardous materials markings on only one side. During the telephone discussion of October 7,1998, the required /

markings were described to you and you were asked to examine the overpack for the markings.

~ After examining the overpack, you stated that the markings were there as required and to your a recollection the markings were there in 1996. Based on the above, our records have been

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changed to reflect the withdrawal of item C.2. of the Notice enclosed with our April 19,1996 j letter. No response to this letter i,s rp; uired.

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11_.2) j 9810270012 981019 PDR STPRG ESGRI

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. I Ocean State Technical Services i

Your caperation with us is appreciated.

Sincerely, Original signed by A. Randolph Blough A. Randolph Blough, Director Division of Nuclear Materials Safety cc:

J State of Rhode Island '

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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. Ocean State Technical Services Distnbution:

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PUBLIC Nuclear Safety information Center (NSIC)

Region I Docket Room CBuracker, RI DHolody, RI

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lg-t DOCUMENT NAME: G:DNMSDOCWORK\lNSPLTR13D11701 25955245

. To resolve e espy of this desument, indleses in the bes: "C' = Copy w/o attech/enci . *E" = Copy w/ sttach/enci "N* = No copy OFFICE - DNMS/RI ]N DNMS/RI l ORA l DNMS/RI l

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NAME SCourtemanche & JKinneman 4 LManning M ARBlough\f

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DATE 10/15/98 10/ /98- 10/ 198 -

10tz]98 tb u urttut C 5 bu bno tos:- OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

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' l Ocean State Technical Services l Distribution:

PUBLIC -

Nuclear Safety Information Center (NSIC)

! Region i Docket Room

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" DOCUMENT NAME: G:\DNMS\DOCWORK\lNSPLTR\L3D11701 26498400-To receive o copy of this document, Indicate in the box: "C' = Copy w/o attach /enci *E' = Copy w/ attach /enci *N* = No copy OFFICE - DNMS/RI _ n lN DNMS/RI .l ORA Jf l DNMS/RI l NAME SCourte61sthbbe

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. .JKinnemanMR LMannirfo'll 1 ARBlough

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DATE 10/08/987 ~ T 10/9/98 10/W 10/ /98 1

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OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

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OCEANSTATE TECHNICAL SERVICES

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May 16, 1996

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I U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region I I 475 Allendale Road l King of Prussia, PA 19406

Subject: Docket #150-00038 i

Gentlemen: l

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Following is an explanation of the corrective actions taken by Ocean State Technical Services (OSTS) regarding the alleged violations noted by Mr. Steve Countemarche during his inspection at  ;

the Canal Electric Plant on March 18, 1996. '

o 10 CFR 34 . 4 3 (b) l When making a survey,after each exposure to ensure that the sealed source is returned.to its safe, shielded _ position, the Radiographer in charge admitted that Mr. Courtemarch did make him nervous, and he did forget to survey the camera' 360" prior ,

to locking it. OSTS has since conducted a training session on i proper camera survey practices - before and af ter the exposure. I This training session has been documented. Both the Assistant i Radiographer and the Radiographer participated in this session.

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Last week, an unannounced audit was performed by the Radiation Safety Of ficer at a temporary field site. The Radiographer was

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observed prior to and after a number of exposures. He performed the survey properly at this time.

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o 10 CFR 1501A, 10 CFR 20.1301A(2), 10 CFR 20.1920 ( A)

l The unrestricted area boundary levels where the Assistant i Radiographer posted himself on the turbine deck, were, in his i words, less than 2Mr in any one hour; however, he should have known that if his intention was to report to the Radiographer 1 in charge the radiation levels where he was standing, in full )

view of the turbine deck, that a " Restricted Area" sign should have been placed in a conspicuous place for "all eyes to see" as they entered the turbine floor. As to the elevator, an announcement was made over the public address system; but, to ensure full compliance, a sign should have been placed in front of the elevator door so that, as soon as it opened at the

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floor, no'one would exit. A training session was held to cover this situation. Both Radiographer and Assistant Radiographer were instructed in the proper procedure to be followed. An audit is planned in the near future to assure compliance with these requirements.

MAY 2 01996 4g g 2440 MENDON ROAD e GU B RLAND,RHODEISLAND 02864-3799 = TEL. (401) 658-3310 * FAX (401) 658-3139

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I-l l .U.S.-Nuclear Regulatory Commission i Region I

!: 475 Allendale Road.

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King of. Prussia, PA .19406 l . Subject: . Docket..#150-00038 l May-16, 1996 l Page 2 of.3 o 10 CFR 71.5(A), 49-CFR 177.842(D), 49 CFR~173.25A (2) + (4 )

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.Transoortation of Radioactive Material ~

L 'We take exception to the findings regarding the. alleged violation of improper' bracing of the source overpack locat'ed in the back of the truck. We also_take exception to the alledged-violation -regarding the lack . of shipping markings on the i ;overpack. The source was not-secured in its overpack at the time Mr. Courtemarch looked in because it was not placed in a transport mode.at that time. - It had only been removed' from the restricted area so that . ' the Radiographer could control its whereabouts during the ~ development of film. There is a Lremovable tie-down system that securely anchors the overpack to the ins'ide wall of the transport vehicle. This tie-down system was not in place at the time-of. inspection. :The1overpack had been opened and pushed' forward in the truck when the source was

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removed. The overpack has the' appropriate hazardous material markings on . only.' one side. Therefore,.if the box had been removed and viewed all the way around,.the stickers would have ,

been visible'to your inspector. The radiographer-did ask Mr. !

Courtemarch if-'he wished-to enter the vehicle to review the paperwork'and associated equipment; Mr. Courtemarche did not feel this to be necessary. Nevertheless,'the Radiation Safety 1 Officer instructed the Radiographers and Assistants in the proper procedure to be followed so that it would be understood that this could-be a-potential violation.and that they should i assure that'the proper steps are taken to prevent'this. j

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As ocean State Technical Services grows, and its employees receive more. training, and we. instill confidence in them based .upon satisfactory performance of.their duties, incidents of this nature should not occur. Through training, audits, and proper direction, l

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the individuals' involved will perform their job duties.as second nature. Any situations that do occur will be addressed and additional. training will take' place.

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U.S.' Nuclear. Regulatory Commission

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l Region I 475 Allendale Road

-. King _.oftPrussia,.PA 19406 1-Subject: Docket'#150-00038 l May.16,'1996  ;

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i Should you _: have _ any - questions concerning_ the solutions to -Mr. d Courtemarch's: findings from'the inspection,.we will be pleased to

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. discuss them with you. We_would:like to thank you, and you staff,

.forJall the guidance-they have offered to help us address these matters of' concern.

Very truly yours, OCEAN STATE TECHNICAL: SERVICES l

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James .

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JJG:bb icc: Ge_orge T. Mulvaney - OSTS-

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Steven D. Leclerc - OSTS-Rafiu B. Balogun- - OSTS  ;

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