ML20054L663
| ML20054L663 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Peach Bottom  |
| Issue date: | 06/23/1982 |
| From: | Daltroff S PECO ENERGY CO., (FORMERLY PHILADELPHIA ELECTRIC |
| To: | Martin T NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20054L657 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8207080342 | |
| Download: ML20054L663 (3) | |
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g PHILADELPHIA ELECTRIC COMPANY 2301 M ARKET STREET P.O. BOX 8699 PHILADELPHIA. PA.19101 SHIELDS L. D ALTROFF ELecTm c Pp c son June 23, 1982 Re : Docket Nos. 50-277 50-278 Insp. Nos. 50-277/82-05 50-278/82-05 Mr. Thomas T.
Martin, Director Division of Engineering and Technical Programs U.
S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission 631 Park Avenue King of Prussia, PA 19406
Dear Mr. Martin:
Your letter of May 28, 1982, forwarded combined Inspection Report 50-277/82-05 and 50-278/82-05.
Appendix A addresses an apparent violation of an NRC requirement and is categorized as Severity Level IV in accordance with Federal Register Notice 47 FR 9987 (March 9, 1982).
The apparent violation is restated below with our response.
A.1 10 CPR 71.5 prohibits delivery of licensed materials to a carrier for transport unless the licensee complies with 49 CPR 170-189.
49 CPR 173.392(c) requires that the external radiation levels of packaged shipments of LSA radioactive material transported in sole use vehicles must comply with 49 CFR 173.393(J).
49 CFR 173.393(J)(4) specifies that the dose rate in a normally occupied position in the vehicle cannot exceed 2 millirem per hour.
8207000342 820708 PDR ADOCK 05000 0
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Mr. Thomas T.
Martin Page 2 Contrary to the above, on February 17, 1982, 463 millicuries of licensed LSA material was delivered to a carrior for transport and upon arrival at Barnwell, South Carolina, on February 18, 1982, the dose rate in the rear of the sleeper of the cab of the vehicle was determined to be 2.6 millirem per hour.
Response
On February 18, 1982, a radioactive waste shipment from Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station arrived at the Barnwell, South Carolina burial site and was reported to have radiation levels in the truck cab 1 mr/hr. higher than the values indicated in the shipping papers.
As a result of this reported difference, Philadelphia Electric sent two individuals experienced in radiation survey techniques to Barnwell to investigate the apparent discrepancy.
On February 19, 1982, using three Peach Bottom survey instruments the individuals performed a resurvey of the cab and vehicle.
The resurvey of the cab indicated radiation levels of 2.1 mr/hr, 2.5 mr/hr and 3.0 mr/hr supporting the South Carolina value of a 2.6 mr/hr " hot spot" in the sleeper cab.
The shipping papers had identified the radiation level in the cab to be 1.6 mr/hr prior to departing the Peach Bottom site.
The survey instrument used for the pre-shipment survey was identified, cross checked with two other instruments and verified to have been recently calibrated.
Investigation into this matter leads us to conclude that, although the technician conducted two surveys of the vehicle cab, he did not detect the 2.6 mr/hr dose rate because of an apparent lack of attention to detail.
The survey technicians were counseled and instructed to be more thorough when conducting surveys.
Since this shipment, no further violations of cab dose rate has occurred during radioactive waste transportation.
l Additionally, Procedure HPO/CO-17, Shipment of Radioactive l
Material, has been revised to include two different radioactive i
material shipment vehicle survey sheets.
The revised sheets more fully document the surveys taken on the two types of vehicles 4
used by dividing the truck into areas for survey purposes.
l i
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Mr. Thomas T.
Martin Page 3 An independent survey using another instrument is currently being performed and has been added to Procedure HPO.CO-17.
This survey is performed by the Waste Quality Control Inspector on all radwaste shipments prior to leaving the site.
Since a violation of this nature represents an isolated incident, and with the corrective actions taken, full compliance with 49 CFR 173.393(J) is presently assured.
Very truly yours,
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