ML20147A704
| ML20147A704 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07000364, 07003085, 07000135 |
| Issue date: | 11/15/1996 |
| From: | Sgarlata D BABCOCK & WILCOX CO. |
| To: | Miller H NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9701280124 | |
| Download: ML20147A704 (2) | |
Text
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R.D.1, Box 355 Vandergnft. PA 15690 (412)845-2808 Fax: (412) 8421478 Mr. H. J. Miller, Administrator U.S. NRC Region I 475 Allendale Road King of Prussia, PA 19406
Dear Mr. Miller:
On October 24,1996, B&W provided a telephone notice to NRC's Operations Center as specified in 10CFR20.2201 pertaining to an electric floor scrubber that was returned to our j
facility after having been borrowed by a former employee. Upon its return, the scrubber 4
was found to contain fixed levels of radionuclides which, in turn, resulted in our report to the NRC. This letter is a follow-up written report regarding the event as specified in 10CFR20.2201(b)(1). The information provided is in accordance with the requirements of l
the aforementioned regulation.
1.
Description oflicensed material involved. The materials were thorium and enriched uranium (18% enrichment) as fixed contamination on the underside of the scrubber. Because of the fixed nature of the contamination, B&W used a metal file to remove a sample of the material (believed to be predominantly in oxide form), from which the isotopes were identified. The total amount of radioactive material was determined to be 0.41 grams of uranium and 0.009 grams of thorium which, taken together, required a report.
1 2.
Descriotion of the circumstances. According to accounts of the incident, in late 1992, a temporary employee apparently borrowed the scrubber from the Apollo facility to do a project at home. The unit was reportedly never used due to its size and weight, and was stored in the former employee's basement. The scrubber was returned to B&W's Parks Township facility.
3.
Statement of disposition oflicensed material Surveys of the former employee's house where the unit was stored showed no radioactivity above normal background levels.
These surveys were independently verified by a member of Pennsylvania's Department of Envircamental Protection, and results were reported to the NRC. Since the machine was not 4
used, the house was surveyed clean, and the contamination was tightly adhered to the bottom of the unit, we have concluded that all radioactive material was returned to B&W.
t 4.
Exoosures of individuals. Since the contamination was fixed, the only credible exposure would have been direct exposure to individuals while loading and unloading the unit. Direct survey readings at contact on the underside of the scrubber registered 180 micro-rad per hour. Calculations determined that the resultant exposure was approximately 0.18 millirem which is less than 1 % of the regulatory limit specified by 10CFR20.1301.
Storage of the unit was in a basement location where no other exposure scenario is apparent.
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l 9701280124 961115 PDR ADOCK 07000135 C
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1 5.
Actions taken to recover the material. The scrubber was returned to B&W.
4 6.
Measures to prevent recurrence. Well prior to the scrubber being returned, B&W had reviewed site policies and made changes to the radiation protection program as a result of I
having completed nuclear seivice work at the site. These changes were designed to upgrade
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controls over the disposition of potentially contaminated items anticipated to occur during decommissioning, and'also include additional restrictions on ingress / egress, and on employee use of surplus equipment. Materials and equipment designated for disposal continue to be d
surveyed for radioactivity, regardless of their prior history. In summary, we have concluded
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that if the current control program had been in place when the floor scrubber was borrowed, the event would not have occurred.
Please feel free to contact me at (412) 842-1412 if there are additional questions.
Sincerely,
,hf 'Y D. K. Sgarla, Manager Health & Safety and Licensing i
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i cc:
Mr. Todd Jackson - NRC Region I l
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Lig/R DKS.PA%057