ML20055G610
| ML20055G610 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 07/11/1990 |
| From: | Caniano R, Shear G NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20055G603 | List: |
| References | |
| REF-QA-99990003-900712 99990003-90-07, 99990003-90-7, NUDOCS 9007230370 | |
| Download: ML20055G610 (5) | |
Text
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U. S. NUCLEAR REGVLATORY COMMISSION REGION III Report No, 999-90003/90007(DRSS) 8 Docket No.
999-90003 License No.
General License (10 CFR 31.5)
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Licensee: Marysville Plastics Corporation 315 Cuttle Road P. O. Box 279 Marysville, MI-48040-0279 v
Inspection Conducted: June 7, 1990
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'l Purpose of Inspection:
This was an announced, special inspection conducted
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to review the circumstances surrounding the loss of a a
polonium-210 static eliminator, NRO Model P2051, and the licensee's corrective actions associated with the event.
O/90 Inspector:
'7 GaryLfShear~
Date /
-Senior Radiation Specialist i
1 Approved By:
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m4?L_.
b /rra
_floy arfiailo, Chief gtpf 1
i Materials Safety V
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I tion 2 l
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l Inspection Summary Inspection on June 7, 1990 (Report No. 999-90003/90007(DRSS))
- Areas Inspected: This was an announced, special inspection conducted to i
review the circumstances surrounding the loss of a static eliminator containing a nominal '10 mil 11 curies of polonium-210, model number P2051, manufactured by NRD,.. Incorporated, of Grand Island, New York.
'Results: Within the areas inspected one violation of NRC requirements was identified relating to the loss of'the static elimination device; unauthorized disposal or transfer 'of byproduct material,10 CFR 31'.5(c)(8) (Section 3).
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9007230370 900712 REG 3 QA999 EMV****.*
99990003 ppe
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DETAILS 1.
Persons Contacte__d
- Craig A. Maxwell, General Manager j
- Attended Exit Meeting 2.-
Licensed Program The licensee conducts custom injection molding of thermo plastics and utilizes polonium-210 in static eliminators for elimination of static electricity on plastic products. The static eliminators are installed on air hoses on hot _ stamp machines used in the facility. The polonium-210 is possessed under a general license 4.ssued pursuant to 10 CFR 31.5.
The licensee currently possesses 8 in-line static elimination devices (Model
_No. P-2031) manufactured by the NRD Corporation of Grand Island, New York.
3.
Inspection Findings In a letter to the' Region III office, dated April '18, 1990, the licensee reported the loss of a Nuclecel Airgun, serial number 16658 (See L ). The device contained approximately 10 mil 11 curies of polonium-210 at the time the device was received by the licensee in
-September 1988. A follow-up telephone call by the Region III staff on May 21, 1990, revealed that the device was an NRD Corporation Model j
No. P2051 (gun-type) static elininator. The licensee indicated that a thorough search of the plant had failed to locate the device. The loss was reported to the vendor (NRO) in approximately April 1990.
The vendor I
then suggested in a April 13, 1990- letter that the loss be reported to the NRC.
i On June 7,1990, a special irspection was conducted to review the i
circumstances surrounding the loss of the static elimination device.
The inspection revealed that the lost device was one of nine devices possessed by the licensee under a lease agreement with the NRD Corporation. The device was discovered missing in July 1989.
The licensee attempted to locate the device through November 1989 with no success. As a result of the Region III follow-up to the licensee's April 18, 1990' letter,'th9 licensee placed a notice in each employees'
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pay check notifying them of the loss and who to contact if anyone knew of 4
the whereabouts of the device (see Attachment 2).
This also proved unsuccessful in locating the device.
NRD told the licensee to notify the-NRC in April 1990.
The delay in reporting the loss to the NRC was
-due to the licensee's unfamiliarity with 10 CFR Part 31.5.
10 CFR Part 20 does not require reporting of the loss because the device does not present a substantial hazard. At the time of the loss, the activity was approximately 2 millicuries.
The licensee speculates that the device was either inadvertently thrown away or that the device was stolen by an employee.
10 CFR 31.5(c)(8) requires that any person who acquires. receives, possesses, or transfers 2
r o
L t
L byproduct materia 1 in a device pursuant to the general license in
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paragraph (a) of this section, transfer or dispore of the device only
,E' by transfer to a person holding a specific license to receive the device.-
Contrary to the above, during the period September 1988 to July 1989 a NRD Model P2051, Serial Number 16658, static eliminator containing a nominal 10 millicuries of polonium-210 was transferred or disposed of in an unauthorized manner.
The unauthorized transfer or disposal of
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the polonium-210 static eliminator constitutes an apparent violation of 10 CFR 31.5(c)(8).
Region III has concluded that the unauthorized transfer / disposal of this material does not pose a significant threat to public health and safety.
As a result of this loss 'the licensee no longer leases static eliminators E
of this type (gun-type).
The licensee now leases only static eliminators -
which are in-line models (P2031) which are less appealing to any individual who may wish to steal such a device.
Previously, at least some of the devices were installed with " quick disconnects". The r
licensee no longer uses=this type of installation which makes it more i
difficult to remove the devices from the^ installed location.
In addition, the licensee has implemented a weekly inventory of all devices-in an_ effort to prevent recurrence.
The licensee has also held training sessions with plant personnel to educate them in the importance of maintaining the devices and what to do if one is recognized as. missing.
In additionsto the above area the inspector also inspected all static t
elimination devices currently possessed by the licensee. The inspection
! revealed that all; devices were properly labeled as required by
Leak tests of-the devicesLare required every 13 months.. The devices are returned to the manufacturer at approximately 12-month intervals, therefore, the leak tests are_not required to be performed by the licensee.
One apparent violation of NRC-requirements was identified.
4.
Exit Meeting An exit meeting was conducted on June 7, 1990, at the conclusion of the inspection with Mr. Maxwell, General Manager. The. inspection findings, the NRC Enforcement Policy,.and the licensee's corrective actions wr,
discussed.
No information in this report was identified as propr'
.y-by the licensee.
1.
n Attachments:
1.
Ltr dtd April 18, 1990 2.
Memo dtd May 23, 1990 3
O ATTACHMENT It L = 4.
@<dth%
MARYCVILLE
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PLASTICS
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' CORPORATION
. DIVISION OF DLUE WATER PLASTICS,INC.
315 CUTTLE ROAD / RO. DOX 279 MARYSVILLE, MICHIGAN 48040-0279 (313) 364-6688 / FAX # 364-4810 1
April 18, 1990 i
i RegionIII, USNRC
- Office of Inspection _&' Enforcement 799 Roosevelt Road
> Glen Ellyn, IL 60137-
Dear Sir:
1 The Nuclocel Airgun Ser. #16658 was due for replacement.in September off.1989.'This gun could not be.found'at that time and has not been found since. We will continue to search for i
the gun. But at this time we feel that it is lost.
q I' apologize for any inconvenience this,has caused. If you have'any question or concerns, do not hesitate to contact me.
i Sincerely, 3
YM 0
ggeph Carolan-
.Q M Yty Assurance Manager (313).364-6688 p
t CUSTOM INJECTION MOLDERS / DECORATING & ASSEMBLY 1,
pR 2 3 ION
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ATTACHMENT-2
,n May 23, 1990
- To: All Employees From: Joe Carolan We'are missing a Nuclecel Airgun Serial #16658.
It has been. missing since last September. If anyone has seen or know were the gun is. Please contact me, Thank you.
,f f
Joseph M.
Carolan Qdality Assurance Manager i
NUCl!STAL Air Gun and Nuclecel f
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e e
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f JUCL($ TAT Air Gun D? 2 C3L'!' $ ?*2O0! k %
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