IR 05000193/2011204
| ML120050003 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission |
| Issue date: | 01/12/2012 |
| From: | Johnny Eads Research and Test Reactors Branch B |
| To: | Tehan T State of RI, Atomic Energy Comm |
| DONOHUE J, NRC/NRR/DPR/PROB 415-3163 | |
| References | |
| IR-11-204 | |
| Download: ML120050003 (12) | |
Text
January 12, 2012
SUBJECT:
RHODE ISLAND ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION - NRC SPECIAL INSPECTION REPORT NO. 50-193/2011-204
Dear Dr. Tehan:
The U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC, the Commission) conducted a Special Inspection on October 26-27, 2011 and December 14, 2011, at the Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center (RINSC) (Inspection Report No. 50-193/2011-204). The Special Inspection Team was assigned to assess the circumstances surrounding unexpected changes in the restricted area dose rates possibly in excess of 30 rem per hour in an area where personnel were present or which was accessible to personnel. These unexpected changes in work conditions caused higher than expected dose for personnel in the area.
The special inspection included an examination of activities conducted under your license as they relate to safety and compliance with the Commissions rules and regulations. Pursuant to your letter dated October 25, 2011 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System Accession No. ML111313A012), describing the causes of the event and your corrective actions, the inspections included selected examinations of procedures and representative records, interviews with personnel, and observations of re-enacted activities. The exit meeting was conducted on December 14, 2011.
The enclosed report documents the inspections findings, which were discussed in a preliminary debriefing and a final exit meeting with you, H. Bicehouse, Radiation Safety Officer and Assistant Director for Radiation and Reactor Safety; M.J. Davis, Assistant Director, Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center; S. Guarino, Health Physicist; Z. Richards, Reactor Supervisor/
Senior Reactor Operator (SRO); and members of the Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission (RIAEC).
The event that led to the conduct of this Special Inspection can be summarized as follows:
At approximately 10:00 a.m. on October 25, 2011 the reactor was moved from the high power section to the low power section of the pool. In this position the reactor core is positioned adjacent to the dry irradiation room (DIR). At approximately 11:15 am a student trainee entered the DIR to calibrate a radiation probe and received a radiation exposure of approximately 2.5 rem (initial estimate by licensee) total effective dose equivalent (TEDE) in five minutes. The estimates dose rates in the DIR were 30 rem/hr. The individual had previously been working in the room when the core was located at the opposite end of the pool. He exited the room and assisted the SRO in moving the core to the end adjacent to the DIR for an experiment, but did not close and lock the gate. The SRO aware that the gate had not been shut directed the individual to close and lock the entrance gate before they continued the experiment.
The student trainee decided to enter the DIR without consulting the SRO before locking the gate to take a temperature measurement in the room needed to properly calibrate the probe.
When he informed the SRO of his actions, the SRO immediately informed the facility staff of the potential for unintended exposure to personnel.
Based on the results of this inspection, the NRC has determined that a Severity Level IV violation of NRC requirements has occurred. This violation is being treated as Non-Cited Violation (NCV), consistent with Section 2.3.2.b of the Enforcement Policy. This NCV (NCV-50-193/2011-204-01) is described in the subject inspection report. If you contest the violation or significance of this NCV, you should provide a response within 30 days of the date of this inspection report, with the basis for your denial, to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ATTN: Document Control Desk, Washington DC 20555-0001, with copies to the Director, Office of Enforcement, United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001.
In accordance with Title10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 2.390 Public inspections, exemptions, requests for withholding," a copy of this letter and its enclosure will be made available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the NRCs document system (ADAMS), accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html.
Should you have any questions concerning this inspection, please contact Jack Donohue at (301) 452-1950 or by electronic mail at Jack.Donohue@nrc.gov
Sincerely,
/RA/
Johnny H. Eads, Jr., Chief Research and Test Oversight Branch Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Docket No. 50-193 License No. R-95
Enclosure:
NRC Special Inspection Report No. 50-193/2011-204
cc w/encl: See next page
Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission
Docket No.: 50-193
cc:
Governor, State of Rhode Island State House Room 115 Providence, RI 02903
Dr. Stephen Mecca, Chairman Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission Providence College Department of Engineering-Physics Systems River Avenue Providence, RI 02859
Dr. John Breen, Chairman Nuclear and Radiation Safety Committee Providence College 549 River Ave Providence, RI 02918
Dr. Andrew Kadak 253 Rumstick Road Barrington, RI 02806
Dr. Bahram Nassersharif Dean of Engineering University of Rhode Island 102 Bliss Hall Kingston, RI 20881
Dr. Peter Gromet Department of Geological Sciences Brown University Providence, RI 02912
Dr. Alfred L. Allen 425 Laphan Farm Road Pascoag, RI 02859
Mr. Jack Ferruolo, Supervising Radiological Health Specialist Office of Occupational and Radiological Health Rhode Island Department of Health 3 Capitol Hill, Room 206 Providence, RI 02908-5097
Test, Research, and Training Reactor Newsletter University of Florida 202 Nuclear Sciences Center Gainesville, FL 32611