ML19350D948
| ML19350D948 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 05/15/1981 |
| From: | Book H, Camper L, Riedlinger B, Spencer G, Thomas R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV), NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19350D947 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8105270334 | |
| Download: ML19350D948 (3) | |
Text
U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT f'}
REGION V Report No.
81-01 License No.
04-00181-04 Priority 3
_ Category G1 Licensee:
Veterans Administration Center Wilshire and Sawtelle Blvds.
Los Anoeles, California Facility Name:
i Inspection at:
Wadsworth Hospital Inspection Conducted:
May 7, 1981 Inspectors:
.. A
[ S. S encer, Ch f, Division of Technical Inspection Date Signed SfiYSI j.
H. E. Book, Chief, Radiological Safety Branch Date Signed
$ $ hM44 WWE/
R. D. Thomas, Chief, Materials Radiation Protection Da'te Signed
/.
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'Dat6 Signed
/LL. Camper,MaterialsLicensingBranch,NRCHeadquarters 74O.# K 20 FA W T/
B. A. Riedlingerg Radiation Specialist Date Signed f/If/ff Approved by:
4W R. D. Thomas, Chief, M terials Radiation Protection
' Date Signed I
/c-> dt Approved by:
H. E. Book,' Chief, Radiological Safety Branch Date Signed Summary:
Enforcement Conference on May 7, 1981 (Report No. 81-01)
Items discussed at enforcement conference:
(1) Enforcement options available to the NRC, (2) Recent changes in NRC Enforcement Policy, (3) Items of noncompliance associated with last NRC inspection at Wadsworth Hospital, (4) Compliance history, (5) NRC actions to be taken in the present situation, and (6) Possible future actions by the NRC.
The need for increase management control of the radiation safety program was stressed, as was the need for license amendments to reflect the current program.
The enfor:ement conference involved a total of five hours onsite by five NRC representatives.
!8105279739
DETAILS 1.
Persoils Contacted Mr. Lu M. Nackman, Assistant Hospital Director (Acting Director)
Dr. H. Earl Gordon, Chief of 'taff Mr. Leonard '4etterau, Nuclear itd: cine Service Radiation Safety Officer Dr. Ralph Mackintosh, Radiation Therapy, Radiation Physicist Dr. Zbigniew Petrovich, Chief, Radiation Therapy Service Dr. Wm. H. Blahd, Chief, Nuclear Medicine Ultrasound Service Mr. Jim Smathers, U.C.L. A.
===2.
Background===
This enforcement conference was held between NRC and licensee management representatives to discuss the findingt of a srecial safety inspection conducted on December 8,1980 through December 11, 1980.
The inspection had been conducted in conjunction with allegations by a former employee about the use of sealed sources at the Veterans Administration Wadsworth Hospi tal. During the inspection, four items of noncompliance and two deviations were identified.
These items of noncompliance were described in Report 80-02 which documented the inspections conducted during December 8-11, and 17-18,1980, and in a Notice of Violation dated February 25, 1981.
The licensee responded to the Notice of Violation in a letter dated March 26, 1981.
The licensee's responsr: was discussed during the enforcement conference.
3.
Items Discussed During Enforcement Conference The enforcement options available to the NRC.were discussed, and the recent changes in the NRC [nforcenent Policy as stated in the Federal Register on October 7, 1980 were reviewed.
The hospital's compliance history was discussed; and the items of noncompliance noted during the special safety inspection of December 8 11, 1980 were reviewed. Several specific areas of concern were addressed:
(1) The fact that a possible overexposure was not reported to the NRC, (2) the aoparent lack of administrative control over the radiation safety program, and (3) the fact that the Radiation Physicist was required to function as the Radiation Safety Officer for radiation therapy implants.
Followirg the discussion of these areas of concern, Mr. Camper outlined changes that are necessary so that the license reflects the actual radiaticn safety program:
(1) The responsibilities of the Radiation Physicist need to be clearly stated in a license amendment application if he is to function as an Assistant Radiation Safety Officer.
(2) One person must assume overall responsibility for the raaiation safety program.
(3) Changes in radiation safety procedures need to be submitted to licensing for incorporation in the license.
The licensee was informed that their reply to the Notice of Violation will be acknowledged with the understanding that a license amendment will be submitted to document the current radiation safety program.
Licensee representatives stated that the required amendment will be prepared and submitted to NRC's Licensing Branch for review.
At the end of the meeting possible future enforcement actions were discussed. The licensee was reminded that the failure.to assure that the license describes the actual radiation safety program could result in more serious repetitive items of noncompliance. Repetition of items of noncompliance may result in the issuance of a civil penalty, i
.