ML003697015
| ML003697015 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 10/25/1999 |
| From: | Office of Public Affairs Region II |
| To: | |
| References | |
| Press Release-III-99-046 | |
| Download: ML003697015 (1) | |
See also: see also:Press Release-III-99-046
Text
U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
Region III
Office of Public Affairs
801 Warrenville Road, Lisle IL
60532-4351
NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT: RIII-99-46
October 25, 1999
NRC PROPOSES $8,800 FINE FOR ILLINOIS COMPANY
FOR VIOLATIONS INVOLVING RADIOGRAPHY OPERATIONS
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has proposed an $8,800
fine against Professional Service Industries (PSI) Inc. of
Lombard, Ill., for failing to adhere to agency safety regulations
during the performance of radiography work.
Based on an investigation by the NRCs Office of
Investigations (OI) and information gathered during a closed
Predecisional Enforcement Conference on August 24, the NRC has
determined that PSI employees -- despite receiving training
regarding NRC requirements -- committed apparent violations at a
temporary job site in Pocatello, Idaho, on September 15, 1998.
The apparent violations that are the subject of the fine include
a failure to have at least two qualified individuals observing
operations and a failure to supervise a radiography assistant
while work was being done.
In a related action, the NRC has issued an order to the
PSI radiographer involved with the violations.
The order bars
him from taking part in NRC-licensed activities for one year.
The order also requires that, for one additional year, the
radiographer notify the NRC within 20 days of his acceptance of
each employment offer involving NRC-licensed activities.
The
order is effectively immediately.
The NRC has also issued a Notice of Violation to the
radiography assistant who took part in the activities.
During the evening of September 14, 1998, and the early
morning of September 15, 1998, the radiographer and the assistant
used a radiography camera containing a sealed source of about 60
curies of cobalt-60 to complete panoramic radiography testing of
a large steel tank at the Idaho metal products plant.
The
apparent violations were identified during an NRC OI follow-up
investigation of the operation.
Carl J. Paperiello, the NRCs deputy executive director
for materials, research and state programs, wrote in a letter to
PSI notifying it of the enforcement action that based on all of
the available evidence, the NRC, in conjunction with OI,
concludes that the individuals deliberately violated NRC
requirements during and after the third and fourth radiographic
shots because they knew or should have known that those actions
were violations of NRC requirements.
The NRC is particularly
concerned about the violations involving the deliberate failure
to supervise the assistant radiographer and to follow the two-
person rule.
In response to the incident, PSI has implemented several
corrective actions, including refresher training for all
radiographers and assistants in the companys Salt Lake City,
Utah, office, where the team that performed the Idaho work was
based; a complete corporate-level review and investigation of the
circumstances surrounding the apparent violations; and the
creation of a radiography assistant refresher exam.
PSI has 30 days to contest all or part of the enforcement
action.