ML20024D095
| ML20024D095 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 07/28/1983 |
| From: | Everett R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | Metzger J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE) |
| References | |
| REF-SSINS-9199, REF-SSINS-SSINS-9 NUDOCS 8308030156 | |
| Download: ML20024D095 (2) | |
Text
.
h(OR) 2 8 JUL 1983 1
-,.s MEMORANDUM FOR:
-Jack R.' Metzger, Safeguards and Materials Programs 3 ranch Division of Quality Assurance, Safeguards, and Inspection Programs, IE FROM:
R. J. Everett, Chief, Materials Radiation Protection Section, Region IV
SUBJECT:
INFORMATION RELATING TO THE RADIOGRAPHIC INCIDENT OF
-MARCH 25, 1983, NEAR PRUDH0E BAY, ALASKA On' March 25', 1983, during' routine radiographic operations on a pipeline in Alaska, an. incident occurred which could have resulted in a significant exposure to a member. of the public. The work involved the radiographic examination of welds on a 24-inch diameter pipe while unbeknownst'to the radiographers, a welder was performing backwelds from within, along the same
~ stretch of pipe. While it now appears that the welder was not exposed, had he
' been-closer to the area of pipe-being radiographed, a significant exposure would certainly have occurred. The-licensee will be cited in this case for an apparent violation of.10 CFR 34.41; failure to maintain direct surveillance of their' operation sufficient to protect against unauthorized entry into a high radiation area.
In!this instance, an open end of the pipe: laying about 320 feet _ from the area being radiographed, had not been secured _to prevent entry into the pipe; nor was surveillance by the radiographic-crew adequate to prevent the welder from ' entering the pipe to perform the backwelds. Clearlyn it did not occur,to' the crew that a man would be that.far up a pipe of these dimensions. While the licensee's NRC approved procedures addressed the subject of posting and maintaining surveillance of the restricted area, they did not specifically' speak to the case of an entry to a high radiation area that lies well outside of the restricted area.
It has', to our knowledge, never been the practice of radiographers-to check in such instances for the possible occupation of pipelines by personnel.
Posting _the end of the pipe at the time of.the radiographic work, alone, may not have prevented this incident.
I i A contributing factor in this particular case was that the work requests for
-both the backwelds and the radiography were cleared by the same office.
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I If this sumary is not of sufficient detail for preparation of the proposed Information Notice', please refer questions to-Blair Spitzberg (FTS 728-8191).
R. J. Everett, Chief Materials Radiation Protection Section bcc:
J. Collins R. Bangart B. Spitzberg TPB RIV Files-bec: DMB(IE07) v
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