ML20207K378
| ML20207K378 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/05/1999 |
| From: | Henderson P, Ladun R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20207K352 | List: |
| References | |
| REF-QA-99990001-990305 99990001-99-01, 99990001-99-1, NUDOCS 9903170160 | |
| Download: ML20207K378 (4) | |
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v U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION REGION I INSPECTION REPORT Report No. 99990001/99-001 Docket No. 99990001 License No. Non-Licensee Licensee: Acutus Gladwin Mold Location: Airport Office Park Building One 410 Rouser Road,5 Floor Coraopolis, PA 15108 Inspection Dates: February 3, and 4,1999 inspector: OA h- I[
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Richard Lad @ / date Health PhysiclsV Approved By: -
O 97 Pamela J. Hebderp6n', Acting Chief date Nuclear Matenale(Safety Branch 2 Division of Nuclear Materials Safety 9903170160 990305 REG 1 GA999 ENV*****
99990001 PDR Document Name: B:\DNMS Documents \tnsp Report \RNon-Licensee.99@i.wpd
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4 EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
Acutus Gladwin Mold NRC Inspection Report No. 99990001/99-001 An announced, reactive inspection was performed on February 3, and 4,1999, at Acutus Gladwin Mold (AG Mold) in Corsopolis, Pennsylvania. The inspection was conducted in response to a report that AG Mold had received a fixed gauge containing a 100 millicurie cesium-137 source. AG Mold does not have an NRC license authonzing possession or use of the gauge. The gauge was inadvertently transferred to AG Mold by Tuscaloosa Steel Company (TSC) located in Alabama. TSC sent a mold caster to AG Mold for repair and did not remove the gauge from the mold caster prior to transfer. An AG Mold employee who was in the process of disassembling the mold, believing the gauge had been removed, noticed the gauge. Once AG Mold determined that they were in possession M the gauge they contacted TSC who instructed them to move the mold caster to e remote area of the AG Mold facility. TSC arranged for an engineer from the Ronan Engineering Company to travel to AG Mold and remove the i source from the gauge and package it for return to TSC. The fixed gauge is a Ronan Model SA-15 which is specifically licensed. TSC used the gauge in order to determine liquid level detection of molten steel.
The State of Alabama was notified by TSC of the inadvertent transfer on January 29,1999. On Saturday January 30,1999, a Ronan engineer arrived at AG Mold and removed the source from the gauge and placed it in a storage container. On February 1,1999, an inspector from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection arrived at AG Mold. On February 3, 1999, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Region I issued a Preliminary Notification describing the event and dispatched an inspector to AG Mold. The gauge was shipped back to TSC on February 5,1999.
Based on the results of the inspection, the inspector concluded that the maximum dose received by an AG Mold employee working in the vicinity of the gauge approached but did not exceed annual dose limit for individual members of the public of 100 mrem.
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l li inspection Report No. 99990001/99-001 s3DNMS Documents \lnsp Report \RNon-Ucensee.99-001.wpd
4 REPORT DETAILS
- 1. Report of Unauthorized Transfar
- a. Inspection Scope The inspector met with the AG Mold, Human Resource Manager and explained the <
purpose of the inspection, which was to verify survey results obtained by the Ronan 1 engineer, interview AG Mold personnel, and determine if any individuals received an exposure due to the presence of the gauging device. The inspector interviewed the Ronan engineer, several AG Mold employees, and the inspector from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The inspector observed the mold which had contained the Ronan gauge.
- b. Observations and Findenas The Ronan engineer informed the inspector that the highest exposure rate he had measured was 35 mR/hr at one foot from the mold face, with a calibrated and operable Radiation Alert Model Monitor 4 survey instrument. The Ronan gauge was located within the mold and not readily accessible. The inspector determined that, of the AG Mold employees interviewed, two had worked on the mold after it had been opened.
These two workers each spent approximately two hours around the mold and about half that time was spent at the opposite side of the mold away from the source. One employee spent approximately one hour near the mold. Another employee spent approximately ten hours at an average distance between one and two feet from the gauge. The employee who spent approximately ten hours performed duties which did not require him to spend any significant time in any one location near the mold.
The Ronan engineer also performed a wipe test of the source cavity and adjacent areas of the mold. The engineer sent the wipe to Ronan Engineering Company for analysis.
The analysis of the wipe indicated that there was no removable radioactive contamination present.
- c. Conclusions Based on the design of the gauge, its location within the mold, information obtained during interviews of AG Mold employees involved, and direct radiation measurements, ]
the inspector concluded that the maximum dose received by an AG Mold employee l approached but did not exceed the annual dose limit for individual members of the public i of 100 mrem. Since TSC is located in the State of Alabama, an Agreement State, NRC !
' Region I staff have contacted the State of Alabama with regard to this matter for action as they deem appropriate.
1 Inspection Report No. 99990001/99-001 B:ONMS Documents \insp RepomRNon-Woonsee.99 001.wpd
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l PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED Licensee James Sears, President Richard J. Mosko, Human Resource Manager i
Daniel J. Roser, Senior Manager l Pennsvivania Depaitiv, erit of Environmental Protection John P. Winston, inspector -
Ronan Enoineerina Comoany Larry Baker, Engineer '
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I' 2 Inspection Report No. 99990001/99-001 B2NMS DocumentsVnsp ReportVWon-Woonsee.99@t.wpd f