ML14167A007

University of Missouri Written Report, in Accordance with 10 CFR 71.1, as Required by 10 CFR 71.95(b) for NRC Docket 71-3076 Regarding Conditions in the Certificate of Compliance for the MDS Nordion F-458 Package, USA/0697/B(U)-96

ML14167A007
Person / Time
Site:	07100697, 07103076, University of Missouri-Columbia
Issue date:	05/12/2014
From:	Rhonda Butler Univ of Missouri - Columbia
To:	Document Control Desk, NRC/NMSS/SFST
References
Download: ML14167A007 (3)

Text

UNIVERSITY of MISSOURI RESEARCH REACTOR CENTER May 12, 2014 ATTN: Document Control Desk Director, Division of Spent Fuel Storage and Transportation Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555-0001

REFERENCE:

Docket 50-186 University of Missouri-Columbia Research Reactor Amended Facility License R7.103 . .

SUBJECT:

Written report, in accordance with"10 CFR 71.1, as required by 10 CFR 71.95(b) [for NRC Docket 71-3076] regarding conditions in the Certificate of Compliance for the MDS Nordion F-458 package, USA/0697/B(U)-96, that were not met during shipment

Dear Sir or Madam,

The University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) submits this letter to report a condition pursuant to 10 CFR 71.95(b) regarding the use of the MDS Nordion F-458 package, DOT Competent Authority USA/0697/B(U)-96, Revision 5, NRC Docket No. 71-3076.

The following is a description of the event, reported in accordance with 10 CFR 71.95(c):

(1) Brief abstractof the event During -ashipment of irradiated solid Yttrium-90 between. Columbia, Missouri, USA and Kanata, Ontario, Canada on March 31, 2014, the conditions contained in the Certificate of Compliance (CoC) for the MDS Nordion F-458 package, DOTCompetentAuthority USA/0697/B(U)-96, Revision 5 (F-458) were not met in their entirety. Specifically, it appears that, upon receipt, one of the four bolts securing thelid-of the shielding vessel (type F-251) was not. torqued to 10-15 ft-lbs as prescribed in the documentation referenced in the CoC.

kof.

1513 Research Park Drive Columbia, MO 65211 Phone: 573-882-4211 Fax: 573-882-6360 Web: www.murr.missouri.edu Fighting Cancer with Tomorrow's Technology

(2) Narrativedescriptionof the event On March 31, 2014, MURR shipped a type B quantity of byproduct material, 4497 GBq (121.5 Ci) of solid Yttrium-90, from Columbia, Missouri, USA to Kanata, Ontario, Canada by air using Associated Couriers.

The shipment was packaged in the Nordion F-458/F-251 configuration approved in certificate USA/0697/B(U)-96, Revision 5, and CDN/2078/B(U)-96, Revision 6.

Examination of the relevant MURR packaging documentation indicates that a qualified shipper had tightened the four bolts and that the action had been verified by a second qualified shipper.

After the shipment's arrival on 1 April, 2014, MURR was notified by the recipient, MDS Nordion, that one of the four bolts on the lid of the inner shielding vessel (type F-251) was loose enough to be moved when taking routine swipes. The other'bolts appeared to be appropriatel.y tightened.1f the. bolt was not properly tightened at MURR, this is a deviation from both MURR's SOP and the underlying certificate requirement.

(3) Assessment of safety consequences of the event The solid byproduct material contained in the shielding vessel was in three ampoules, all of which were sealed and had been leak tested. These three ampoules were contained in a leakproof inner container (F-320), which is a mandatory element of the package. This leakproof inner container was loaded in an F-251 inner shielding vessel, with three of the four bolts on the lid tightened appropriately. The outer container also appeared to be correctly assembled. Despite the single loose bolt on the shielding vessel, all layers of containment required by the CoC were still functional at the time of shipment.

Therefore, while we acknowledge the seriousness of this occurrence and the importance of preventing recurrence, MURR believes there were no safety consequences to this event.

(4) Descriptionof corrective actions MURR .has initiated a Corrective Action item (CAP-14-0017) to determine root cause and corrective actions. Because the package was not located at MURR, there were no immediate actions taken.

The root cause identified is the fact that the shielding vessel spins within the outer container during the process of tightening or loosening bolts. This could lead to confusion regarding which bolts have been torqued.

To address the identified cause, several potential corrective actions were considered, and ultimately two were identified. The first is to use a tool to hold the inner container in place, preventing spinning while the shipping technician torques bolts. In choosing this corrective action, ALARA for the "shipping technicians was a major concern; requiring additional people or additional time spent close to the package after its loading is undesirable due to dose rates.

May 12, 2014 Page 2 of 3

Procedure revisions have been initiated to reflect the updated practices for shipping this package. MURR continues to monitor the situation and will evaluate the effectiveness of the corrective action.

(5) Reference to similar events MURR is not aware of any similar events.

(6) Licensee contact For further discussion of this incident, please contact John Ernst, Associate Director for Health and Safety, at 573-882-5226 or ernstj@missouri.edu.

(7) Extent of exposure of individuals There was no exposure to individuals as a result of this event.

." .'MARGEE P.STOUT Sincerely, SNOTARY cO My Commission Expires

• -

• March24, 2016

.SEAL.' Montgomery#12511436 Commission County Ralph A. Butler, P.E.

Director xc: Mr. Alexander Adams, U.S. NRC Mr. Johnny Eads, U.S. NRC Nordion (Canada), Inc. (Package Certificate Holder)

Reactor Advisory Committee Reactor Safety Subcommittee May 12, 2014 Page 3 of 3