PNO-IV-97-010, on 970207,detected Radiation Source in Scrap Shipment in Incoming Rail Car.Sheffield Representative Performed Survey Reading W/Ludlum Model 3 Survey Instrument & Detected 200 Mr/H at Contact W/Device
| ML20134H656 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 03019534 |
| Issue date: | 02/11/1997 |
| From: | Cain C, Hackney C NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-IV-97-010, PNO-IV-97-10, NUDOCS 9702110398 | |
| Download: ML20134H656 (2) | |
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February 11,1997 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PNO-IV-97-010 This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significance. The information is as initially receivrd without verification or evaluation, and is basically all that is
} known by Region IV staff in Arlington, Texas on this date.
J Facility Licensee Emeroency Classification Sh:ffiald Steel, Sand Springs, Ok Notification of Unusual Event Sh:ffi:Id Steel, Sand Springs, Ok Alert Sand Spring, Oklahoma Site Area Emergency Licsnse No: 35-19883-01 General Emergency X Not Applicable Subjset: NUCLEAR GAUGE FOUND AT SCRAP YARD Shsffisld Steel notified NRC Region IV that their radiation screening j equipment had detected a radiation source in a scrap shipment in an l' incoming rail car on Friday, February 7. A Sheffield representative psrformed a survey reading with a Ludlum Model 3 survey instrument and e
d dstseted 200 mR/h at contact with the device. He described the device as a cylinder with a 6-inch diameter and an 8-inch length. The device has b3sn isolated and secured at the licensee's site.
A tag on the device identifies it as a Texas Nuclear Model 5190 gauge cont:ining 200 millicuries of cesium-137. Other information included on i
the tag is as follows: serial number B2829, tag number DE/DX/DT-4496, date 11/80, and series number SC. Region IV has requested the m:nufacturer, Texas Nuclear, to attempt a trace on the owner by means of
- the ssrial number.
3 The g:uge is mounted on an I-beam segment, is significantly damaged, and l was found with its shutter open. However, the Sheffield representative l
- was able to partially close the shutter and reduce the dose rate to below l 5 mR/h at contact.
Th3 rail car shipment containing the device originated at 12th Street i Scrrp, Joplin, Missouri. After the screening equipment at Sheffield Steel i
, dstrcted the radiation levels from the rail car, the car was moved some distance down the spur and became derailed. A nearby contractor was used to offlord the scrap onto a truck and move the material to an onsite pile. j Contrcctor workers have expressed concern regarding the exposure they might I hava received during the scrap transfer work. Their exposures are estimated 1
to be low but possibly in excess of the 100-millirem dose limit for members of I th3 public, i
i !
9702110398 970211 # \
PDR I&E PNO-IV-97-010 PDR.
Ok\
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A R:gion IV inspector is being dispatched to the site and is expected to crrive midday on February 11.
R:gion IV has informed NMSS and AEOD. The states of Oklahoma and Texas hava also been informed.
R:gion IV received initial notification of this occurrence by telephone from Sheffield Steel at 11:38 a.m. CST, February 10,1997. This i
information is complete as of 8 a.m. CST on February 11,1997.
Contact:
Charles Cain Charles Hackney (8171860-8186 (817)860-8267