ML20137P220
| ML20137P220 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Oyster Creek |
| Issue date: | 01/30/1986 |
| From: | Martin T NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | Fiedler P GENERAL PUBLIC UTILITIES CORP. |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8602040398 | |
| Download: ML20137P220 (2) | |
See also: IR 05000219/1985033
Text
-
...
. _ .
_
-
-
._
4
..
JAN 3 01986
Docket No. 50-219
,
GPU Nuclear Corporation
ATTN: Mr. P. B. Fiedler
Vice President and Director
Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station
P. O. Box 388
Forked River, NJ 08731
Gentlemen:
Subject:
Inspection No. 50-219/85-33
We acknowledge receipt of your letter dated January 10, 1986, in response to
our letter dated December 4, 1985.
Thank you for informing us of the corrective and preventive actions documented
in your letter. These actions will be examined during a future inspection of
your licensed program.
Your cooperation with us is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Ori-1:ml O! r'. 't* :
'
-
.
omas T. Martin, Direc r
vision of Radiation Safety
<
and Safeguards
cc:
M. Laggart, BWR Licensing Manager
..
'
Licensing Manager, Oyster Creek
Public Document Room (PDR)
local Public Document Room (LPDR)
Nuclear Safety Information Center (NSIC)
.
NRC Resident Inspector
State of New Jersey
8602040390 860130
ADOCK 05000219
G
OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
RL OYSTER CREEK 85-33 - 0001.0.0g
0,,..,..
.
.
.
.- -- - --
-
.
-
-
_.
.
i
' * ~
GPU Nuclear Corporation
2
j
bec:
Region I Docket Room (with concurrences)
Management Assistant, DRMA (w/o encl)
Section Chief, DRP
,
P Clemons, DRSS
RI:D SS
-
RI:
MMiller/ms
Pasci k'
Bellamy
1/R7/86
1/))/86
1AS/86
0FFICIAL RECORD COPY
RL OYSTER CREEK 85-33 - 0002.0.0
01/24/86
_ _ _ _ _
.
e.
.
'
.
.
.
GPU Nuclear Corporation
U Nuclear
- == 388
Forked River, New Jersey 087310388
609 971 4000
Writer's Direct Dial Number:
anuary 10, 1986
Thomas T. Martin, Director
Division of Radiation Safety and Safeguards
Region I
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Comission
631 Park Avenue
King of Prussia, PA 19406
Dear Mr. Martin:
Subject: Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station
Docket No. 50-219
Inspection Report No. 85-33
Response to Violation
As requested by the subject inspection report dated December 4,1985,
Attachments I and II to this letter provide our response to the Notice of
Violation.
Should you require further infprmation, please contact Brenda Hohman,
Oyster Creek Licensing Engineer at (609)971-4642.
Very truly yours,
b
d)
P
ek1 r
Vice President and Director
l
Oyster Creek
l
l
PBF/BH/ dam
l
Attachments
l
(0103A)
!
!
cc Dr. Thomas E. Murley, AdministratoE
(
Region I
!
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
631 Park Avenue
King of Prussia, PA 19406
l
Mr. Jack N. Donohew, Jr.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Comission
7920 Norfolk Avenue, Phillips Bldg.
Bethesda, MD 20014
l
Mail !bp No. 314
NRC Resident Inspector
Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station
~ b^b/ f5A.E.jb
,
I
GPU Nuclear Corporation is a subsidiary of the General Public Utilities Corporation
l
.
.
!
-
.
.
g
.
'
ATTACF+ENT I
,
,
'
Violation
10 CFR 71.5(a) states, in part, that each licensee who delivers licensed
material to a carrier for transport, shall conply with the applicable DOT
regulations appropriate to the mode of transport in 49 CFR Parts 170 through
,
189.
,
49 CFR 173.44(b) states, in part, that a shipment may be transported as an
exclusive use shipment if the radiation level does not exceed during
transportation in an open transport vehicle 10 millirem per hour at any point
2 meters from the vertical planes projected from the outer edges of the
conveyance.
Contrary to the above, on October 13, 1985, shipment OC 1036-85 containing
radioactive material classified as low specific activity (LSA) was delivered
as an exclusive use shipment to a carrier for transport via an open transport
vehicle, and upon arrival at the Quadrex Corporation in Oak Ridge, Tennessee
on October 15, 1985, the external radiation level of the shipment at the four
survey points 2 meters from the vertical planes projecting from the outer
edges of the conveyance were in excess of 10 millirem per hour with the
highest measurement recorded as 15 millirem per hour.
Response
(FUN concurs with che violation as stated. The attached Operations Critique
regarding this violation provides a detailed description of the incident and
corrective actions taken to preclude a recurrence. The following items are
summarized from information provided in ^:he critique:
1.
Reason for the violation
The package which was delivered to the Quadrex facility contained an
underwater cutter shearer (UCS) which had been used in the fuel pool to
cut control rod blades (CRB) in preparation for disposal.
This USC belongs to a GPUN contractor and was being shipped to Quadrex
for decontamination and repairs. When the package arrived, the receipt
survey revealed a general radietion field increase (over initial
shipment of surveys) of 4-6 mrar at essentially all locations around
the package at two meters.
When the package was opened, it was determined that local shielding,
installed prior to shipment, was intact and had not shifted in transit.
Subsequent dismantling of the equipment revealed a small piece of a
baron poison tube with a contact radiation level of 25 to 40 R/hr. It
has been determined that the shifting of this boron tube in the
internals of the USC, due to transport stresses, caused the general
two-meter radiation level increase.
2.
Corrective steps which have been taken and results achieved
(a) The shipment was immediately dispositioned and off-loaded by
agreement between GPUN and Quadrex.
-1-
--
-
-
-
_ _ _ _.
.
.
,
,
.
-
.
(b) The NRC, transport carrier and the State of Tennessee were notified
of the incident.
(c) An investigation / critique was commenced and the results are attached
(d) The GPUN manager of Radwaste Operations and Radwaste Shipping
Supervisor met with Quadrex and WasteChem personnel at the Quadrex
Oak Ridge Facility to ensure immediate corrective actions were
taken consistent with regulatory requirements and good radiological
control practices.
(e) The contractor owning the USC was informed that the equipment would
not be accepted at Oyster Creek until such time that design
modifications were made to the USC to preclude irradiated scrap
from entering the areas of the machine not readily accessible for
visual inspection.
(f) The baron tube was placed in a secure shielded location at the
Quadrex facility to avoid additional personnel exposure.
(g) The Radiological Controls Department performed a dose assessment to
the population as a result of this shipment. The total
(conservative) estimated dose to the general population was 1,41
Mrem.
The modifications (detailed in attached critique) to the USC have been
conpleted, however, the contract to process CRB's has been indefinitely
postponed. Consequently, future shipments of this equipment are not
planned.
The boron tube segment is presently at Quadrex and plans are being made
to return it to the Oyster Creek fuel pool for storage and ultimate
disposal with other irradiated components.
3.
Corrective steps which will be taken to avoid further violations
(a) This shipment was made with a reasonable assumption that the
radiation levels (1.34 R/hr maximum contact) was from fixed
contamination on the USC surfaces. Our experience with storage
racks and other non-irradiated components, exposed to the fuel pool
water environment (as the USC was), shows these radiation levels to
be normal and not indicative of irradiated hardware. However, this ,
incident clearly indicates the potential for small sources of
irradiated hardware to be inadvertantly mixed with LSA material,
provided ample intrinsic shielding exists to mask the relatively
higher radiation levels. Shipments of LSA material that could be
co-mingled with irradiated hardware are extremely rare and, in
fact, limited to equipment utilized to handle or process the
latter. To preclude a similar recurrence of this nature, the
Oyster Creek general Radwaste Shipping Procedure (0.C. 101.3) will
be revised to include a specific precaution for a prior review of
these types of shipments to determine if irradiated pieces could be
inadvertently included. This review will include a requirement not
to make waste classification determinations when internal surveys
are unavailable for equipment which potentially could contain
irradiated pieces.
-2-
i
.
.
'
.
-
.
'
(b) From a broader perspective, this incident instigated a review of
our Radioactive Material Management Program. The procedures
utilized to classify radioactive waste for our normal waste
streams, such as dry activated waste (DAW) and solidified process
waste, specifically address those variables which could preclude
accurate determination of waste classification. The dose to curie
conversion co@ uter program (RADMAN) utilized to classify our
normal waste streams provides ample protection to ensure accurate
classification of waste.
(c) The violation notice expressed a concern because "the radiation
level was only slightly below the limit, yet further
decontamination was not performed." A review was conducted of the
management decision which authorized the administrative limit of 8
mr/hr to be temporarily revised to 9.5 mr/hr. The result of that
review, and specifically the following facts, led us to conclude
that this decision was made with due consideration of the known
circumstances, at the time of shipment, and had no i @ act on the
cause of this violation:
(1) The USC had been hydrolased extensively prior to packaging.
Additional attempts to hydrolase did not reduce the maximum
contact radiation levels.
(2) Shielding requirements were based on the assunption of fixed
contamination rather than a source of irradiated hardware.
Lead shielding was applied to the upper portions of the
equipment with other areas intentionally not shielded because
no dose rate problems were indicated in these areas.
WasteChem personnel verified that when the shipping package
was opened, shielding was found to be intact as originally
installed.
(3) It should be noted that previous experience has shown it is
extremely difficult to appreciably reduce radiation levels (by
1 or 2 mr/hr) of large packages (broad area source) by
installation of additional localized shielding. Likewise,
~
significant amounts of shielding applied to general areas are
restricted by container and shipment weight constraints.
Consequently, our shipping procedure provides for relief from
the 8 mr/hr requirement up to 9.5 mr/hr maximum at two meters
with prior approval of the Manager of Radwaste Operations.
These situations are very infrequent, however, they do recur
with large equipment packages such as control rod drives and
fuel storage racks. This waiver has been applied for no more
than 10 shipments out of approximately 225 in the last three
(3) years and there has never been a similar incident, i.e.
increased two-meter dose rates.
(4) The package was placed on the shipping trailer, surveyed and
found to be reading
8 mr/hr at two-meter in one location.
To add additional shielding would have required additional
-3-
-_ -
.
.
.
,
.
.
,
personnel exposure while returning the equipment to the
Reactor Building, opening the package and applying more
shielding.
4.
Date when full compliance will be achieved
Full compliance was achieved on 10/15/85 when agreement was reached
between GPUN and Quadrex for the package to be received, off-loaded and
processed by the Quadrex Decontamination Facility.
.
s
G
-4-
.,
.
-
Attachment II
(UCl88r
Memorandum
December 24, 1985
Subject: Operation Critique -
Dat'.
O. C. Radioactive Material
,
Shipment Number 1036-85
From:
T. W. Snider
Location:
Oyster Creek
Manager, Radwaste Operations
To:
Operations Critique File
This operatons critique was initated to review the events, determine cause,
and corrective action to preclude a recurrence of radwaste shipping
discrepencies which occurred with 0. C. shipment number 1036-85 on October 15,
1985. The following format is utilized:
I.
Brief Description of the Incident.
II. Detailed Sequence of Events.
III. Determination of Cause.
IV. Corrective Action to Prevent Recurrence.
I.
Brief Description of the Incident
WasteChem Corporation was awarded the contract to volume reduce misc.
Irradiated hardware,
i.e., control rod blades (CRB), flow channels.
Volume reduction of the hardware was performed by utilizing an underwater
shearer crusher (U$C). Control rod blades were selected as the first
item to be volume reduced. Five (5) CRB's were volume reduced with no
apparent problems with the USC. The sixth CRB was placed in the USC and
was being volume reduced when WasteChem noticed a drop in hydraulic
pressure. The process was stopped and was technically evaluated by
WasteChem to determine the reason for the loss of hydraulic pressure. It
was determined that there was a damaged seal around one of two hydraulic
pistons which are physically located inside the USC.
To insure personnel exposure was minimized, it was determined that the
USC should be sent to Quadrex Corp. in Oakridge, TN for decontamination
and repair. The equipment was decontaminated, as much as possible
without disassembly, by hydrolazing. Removable external apparatus, such
as filters and cutting blades, with highest radiation levels were removed
and stored. The equipment was packaged and shipped from Oyster Creek on
10/13/85. It arrived at Quadrex Corporation, Oak Ridge, TN, on
10/15/85. The receipt survey determined that the external radiation
limit of 10 millirem per hour at two meters wss exceeded at four survey
points ranging from 11 to 15 millirem per hour. This violated the
specific requirements of 49 CFR 173.441(b). As such, it is also deemed a
violation of 10 CFR 71.5(a).
A0000648 8 83
. .-
.
.
..
.
Operatlon Critique
12/24/85
Page 2
.
II.
Detailed Sequence of Events
A.
Specific Preparations for Shipment
To meet the requirements for packaging and shipment, the Radwaste
Shipping Section gave hasteChem the following instructions to be
implemented prior tr ,ackaging:
.
1.
The USC shall be hydrolaseo to reduce smearable contamination
levels and contact radiation. levels. Hydrolasing will cease when
there is no further reduction in radiation / contamination levels.
.
2.
The USC shall be inspected to insure that there are no pieces of
irradiated hardware on or within the USC.
~
3.
The filter shall be removed from the filtration system.
4.
Any and all shielding used shall be installed, banded, and
secured to insure that it does not shift during transportation.
- - -
5.
A one square inch scraping shall De taken from the area with the
highest direct radiation level on the USC in order to determine
the total specific activity on all surface areas.
6.
All equipment shall be wrapped in plastic prior to being placed
into the shipping container.
The items listed above were contained in plant specific procedures with
supervisory signoffs, for verification of completion, with the exception
of Item #5 which was a requirement listed in the Radiological Engineering
Request (RER). The RER was listed as a prerequisite in the procedure
which made it part of the procedure.
The USC was hydrolased until the radiation levels coulo not be reouced
any further. Radiation surveys indicated there was a maximum 1.34 R/hr
hot spot. This rad level was appreciaole below the original levels
(approximately 4 R/hr maximum) on the unit when Oyster Creek received it
from another licensee.
In adoition, it is consistent with hot spots,
remaining after hydrolasing, on the non-irradiated equipment removed from
the fuel pool. Consequently, the source was assumed to be from fixed
contamination. This assumption was reinforced by the fact that WasteChem
had not founo significant, mobile radioactive material in this or similar
equipment in eleven years of operation.
This incident and subsequent
investigations would prove this to be a wrong assumption, as the 1.3 R/hr
was in the area where the boron tube piece was ultimately found.
The Radwaste Shipping Supervisor (RSS) was called at home for his
approval to shield the hot spot. The RSS reiterated the requirements of
the proceoure regaroing snieloing, specifically it was to be installed in
a manner so as not to shift in transit, ano approved application of the
shieloing.
.
.
. .
,
,
.
- '
Operation Critique
12/24/85
Page 3
WasteChem supervisors completed the stipulated requirements to insure
shipping compliance of the USC. The USC was wrapped in plastic and
transfered to its designed shipping container which was located on Elev.
23' in the Reactor Bldg. Localized lead shielding was installed under
tne direction of WasteChem supervisors to reduce contact radiation
levels. After installation of the lead shielding, the USC container was
closed and loaded on the trailer. The trailer was removed from the
Reactor Bldg. to a lower background area in the RCA yard and surveys were
performed on the containers. The box containing the USC was reading 9.5
mr/hr at two meters which was 1.5 mr/hr above allowable adninistrative
limits. The contact rad levels were well below the administrative limit
of 180 mr/hr.
-
,
The Radwaste Slipping Supervisor was contacted at nome ano advised of the
radiation levels. He reported to work to evaluate the need for further
shielding or make the necessary procedure changes. WasteChem Supervisors
were questioned about the lead shielding and the manner in which it was
installed. The Raowaste S7ipping Supervisor was told that the shielding
was properly installed and secured.
NOTE:
It should be noted that previous experience has shown it is
extremely difficult to appreciably reduce radiation levels (by 1
or 2 mr/hr) of large packages (broad area source) by
installation of additional localized shielding. Likewise,
significant amounts of shielding applied to general areas are
restrictec by container and shipnent weight constraints.
Consequently, our shipping procedure provides for relief from
the 8 mr/hr requirement up to 9.5 mr/hr maximum at twc meters
with prior approval of the Manager of Radwaste Operations.
These situations are very infrequent, however, they do recur
with large equipaent packages such as control rod drives and
fuel storage racks. This waiver has been applied for no more
than 10 shipments out of approximately 225 in the last three
years and there has never been a similar incident, i.e.,
increased two meter dose rates.
To reouce personnel exposure, the oecision was maoe not to return
the container to the Reactor Building and open the container to
install more shielding, but rather make a one time procedure change
to authorize shipment at these radiation levels. The Manager,
Raowaste Operations was called at home for his approval to make a
one time change to the procedure which would allow the
acministration limit of 8 mr/hr at two meters to be waived and
increased to 9.5 mr/hr for this shipment. His instructions were to
survey the area in question utilizing two survey instruments to
verify readings. This was performed and both instruments read 9.5
i
mr/hr. The Radwaste Operations Manager then questioneo the adequacy
of the lead shielding and its installation. With the assurance that
the shielding was properly installed, he authorized the procedure
change. The shipping papers were completed and the shipment made
from the site on 10/13/85 as LSA material in an open flatbed
designated as exclusive use.
,
. .
,
-
.
Operation Critique
12/24/85
Page 4
B.
Receipt of shipment at Quadrex Corp. Oakridge, TN.
.The shipment arrived at Quadrex Corp. OEkridge, TN. on 10/15/85 s.t.
7:10 a.m.
A receipt survey was performed and the radiation levels
at two meters were found to be in excess of 49 CFR 173.441(B) for
the container which housed the USC. At the time of receipt,
WasteChem Supervisors were at Quadrex to repair the equipment. CPU
Nuclear was notified and copies of the surveys were sent via
telecopy to Oyster Creek. Quadrex accepted receipt of the equipment
and it was offloaded for decontamination and repair. WasteChem and
Quadrex were asked to apprise the as found condition of the
shielding and any other conditions that would have caused the
-
.
increase in the two meter radiation levels. WasteChem personnel'
verified the shielding integrity as shipped and the equipment was
unpackaged for repair.
The Oyster Creek Manager, Radwaste Operations had numerous telephone
conversations with the Quadrex Facility representatives to determine
the extent of the problem and immediate corrective action.
Subsequently, the EC Region I and Tri-State Corp., (the carrier)
_.
were notified and appraised of the situation. The State of
Tennessee was notified by Quadrex and the Manager, Radwaste
Operations had a numoer of telelphone conversations with Tennessee
officials to explain the event and offered to mect with them to
review the cause and corrective action. They determined a meeting
unnecessary.
tpon disassemoly of the equipment, a segment of a coron tube from a
CRB was discovered below the hydraulic processing cylinder internal
to the USC in the area shown on Figure 1 (attached). Tne tube was
approximately 2 1/2 inches long, 3/16 inch outside diameter, with a
contact raoiation level of 25 to 40 R/hr. GPUN was notified of the
finding and Quadrex agreed to place the piece of boron tube in a
secure area for evaluation and subsequent dispositioning.
.
On October 21, 1985, the Manager, Radwaste Operations and the
Raowaste Slipping Supervisor went to Quadrex to investigate the
situation. The radiation survey instrument used for the outgoing
shipment at Oyster Creek was taken along for a comparison with the
survey instrument used by Quadrex for receipt surveys. It was
preliminarily determined tne movement of the boron tube in transit
within the USC was the cause for the increase in the two meter
raoiation levels.
Tne radiation survey instruments were compared using a Cobalt 60
source. Both instruments read the same on contact and at three and
one half inches from the source (160 mr/hr and 15 mr/hr
respectively).
C.
Investigation Meeting at Oyster Creek
A critique was held at Oyster Creek on October 24, 1985 with all
responsiole parties involveo with the packaging and shipment of
WasteChem's volume reduction equipment.
The purpose of the meeting
was two fold to determine; (1) whether the shielding used was
installed adequately and secured in such a manner that it would not
shift during transport and (2) how a piece of boron tube got inside
the pressure piston area of the USC.
.
.
,
. .
'
Opers: tion Critique
12/24/85
Page 5
.
1.
Shielding:
Shielding requirements were based on the assumption of fixed
contamination rather than a source of irradiated hardware. Lead
shielding was applied to the upper portions of the equipment
with other areas intentionally not shielded because no dose rate
problems were indicated in these areas. WasteChem personnel
verified that when the shipping package was opened, shielding
was found to be intact as originally installed.
Based on a review of the incoming survey of the USC container at
the Quadrex facility, it was concluded that the general increase
of 4-6 mr/hr at essentially all locations around the box
(shielded and unshielded) at two meters is the result of the
unexpected movement, due to transport stresses, of the CRB baron
tube piece previously assumed to be fixed contamination, to an
area with less internal shielding. This conclusion is given
additional credence by the fact that a piece of loose scrap in
this area of the machine has mobility, i.e., it can move within
a space with dimensions of 16 inches x 19 inches x 0.60 inches.
Within this location, there is an absolute minimum inherent
shield thickness of one inch of steel.
In most other areas of
the USC, it is two inches or greater.
2.
Baron Tube:
It was determined after extensive discussion that the only
possible method of entry for the boron tube segment was to fall
from a control rod being processed, with the control rod being
simultaneously raised as the press jaw was being retracted. The
boron tube would then have entered the space where it was found
by falling behind the jaw to the area below the cylinders. This
space is inaccessible except when the jaw is partly open. Such
an occurrence was believed so improbable that this space had
been left open in design. It is now being modified to seal it
and preclude recurrence.
III. Determination of Cause
The determination of cause regarding this incident has been made
considering all information reviewed during the investigation, and
more specifically, the following:
(1) Portions of the upper area of the equipment were shielded with
lead blankets while others were intentionally not shielded
because no dose rate problem was indicated in this area when the
machine left the Oyster Creek site (dose rates less than 10
mr/hr). Shielding requirements were considered to be local for
fixed contamination, not general. When the box was opened, no
shielding was found to be hanging askew or to be lying on the
floor of the box. Therefore, the ropes and ties affixed at the
top of the USC remained stable.
.
--
__.
.,
.
,
.
.
,
'
Operation Critique
12/24/85
Page 6
(2) The Quadrex survey dose rates went up in a general fashion
around the USC container, approximately 4-6 mr/hr at all
locations, including shielded and unshielded areas of the
machine, indicating that a general source increase had
occurred.
The addition of more shielding (reasonable amounts
within size and weight contraints) where it already existed and
at unshielded areas to reduce the two meter dose rates to less
than the administrative limit (8 mr/hr) would not have prevented
this more general dose increase above 10 mr/hr.
(3) Movement of the tube segment to the position in which it was
found resulted in a change in shield geometry, with only une
inch of steel between the tube and outside surface of the
machine as opposed to two inches for most other machine sections,
in conclusion, it was determined that the unknown piece of boron
tube segment moving freely within the USC during transit, caused the
increase in the two meter radiation levels which exceeded the
permissable limits specified in 173.441(B)(3).
IV. Corrective Action to Prevent Recurrence
A.
Specific
To prevent the entrance of contaminated or irradiated hardware into
the USC internals, and to enhance the effectiveness of
decontamination of internal surfaces, WasteChem Corporation has made
the following physical changes to the USC.
1.
Introduction of barriers to seal the entrances of areas
difficult to flush clean and prevent the entrance of foreign
material.
2.
Addition of a " Sweep" to push scrap, which could potentially
settle on the moving knives, into the collection bucket.
3.
. Twenty four access holes will be drilled in the side plates for
the introduction of a hydrolaser lance. The hole pattern
provides excellent coverage to machine internals to dislodge
foreign material and contamination. These holes will also
permit introduction of a survey instrument for accurate
detection of radioactive material.
4.
Addition of a pump interlock to insure that the USC cannot be
operated without the filtration cleanup system in service.
5.
Use of a compacting jaw set to " crimp" the work piece and thus
retaining the boron tubes in the control rod blade sheath.
The above changes preclude a similar event. These changes will also
provide more effective decontamination of other internal machine
surfaces as well as the detection of any internal radioactive
material.
'
.
.
.
.
~
Operction Critique
12/24/85
Page 7
.
B.
General.
This shipment was made with a reasonable assumption that the
radiation levels (1.34 R/hr maximum contact) was from fixed
contamination on the USC surfaces. Our experience with storage
racks and other non-Irradiated conponents, exposed to the fuel pool
water environment (as the USC was), shows these raolation levels to
be normal and not indicative of irradiated hardware. However, this
incident clearly indicates the potential for small sources of
irradiated hardware to be inadvertantly mixeo with LSA material,
provided ample intrinsic shielding exists to mask the relatively
higher radiation levels. Shipments of LSA material that could be
'
comingleo with irraolatea hardware are extremely rare and, in fact,
limited to equipment utilized to handle or process the latter. To
preclude a similar recurrence of this nature, our general Radwaste
Shipping procedure (0.C. 101.3) will be revised to include a
specific precaution for a prior review of these types of shipments
to determine if irradiated pieces could be inadvertently included.
Tnis review will incluoe a requirement not to make waste
classification determinations when internal surveys are unavailable
for equipment which potentially could contain irradiated pieces. .
From a broader perspective, this incident instigated a review of our
Radioactive Material Management Program. The procedures utilized to
classify radioactive waste for our normal waste streams, such as DAW and
solidified process waste, specifically address those variables which
could preclude accurate determination of waste classification. The dose
to curie conversion computer program (Radman) utilized to classify our
normal waste streams provides anple protection to ensure accurate
classification of waste.
In conclusion, I believe this incident was not indicative of a
programmatic problem but rather a unique situation which is limited to
the area of classifying LSA material which had the potential to be
comingled with irradiated hardware. This waste type is classified on a
case-by-case basis ano the potential for recurrence with the
irtplementation of the above corrective actions is minimal for this waste
type and highly improbaole for all other waste types.
$
db
/
Submitted by:
T. W. Snider
Manager, Radwaste Operations
' Yh$5
Approved by:
. L.
Su
van, Jr.
lant Operations Director
Attachments
TWS/mee
0042E
<
,
I
e
9.,
,-
.
,r
. .
'
.,
'
!"
FIGURE 1
.
c 5
V EW
~
_
.
.
..;
(F ..,+)
{
c.
.
e.
- 'm
U
boro
,
yhC50
.,
10C3
0D
(
/
<*"
0
'(te
'
-e[
ds
s
ej
'
,
~If
4...
4
11--
!
.
C
I'
'Il
3
I,
r
,
..
s
e
t
1 11
,
1
. . .
Ionii-
u
.g ur,
i
-
-
,
c
inni.
l
~,
>
'
[4
@ II'1
~_f
~~i
I_
_ ,. !_
-- U
A
__
_
v8
-
--
~
_
S
l
l
_
_
i
' e,
_
t r
.
e
-
-
-
,
1
-
-
/ / //l'////////////}//////////////Y/////////,///////// g*g
l
.
.
.,
.
..
-
l
l
l
~
~
e
,