ML20236F082

PNO-76-208:on 761202,licensee Reported That UF6 Cylinder Pigtail Line Had Been Disconnected by Operator W/O First Closing Valve on Gas Cylinder.Nine Persons Were Examined at Local Hospital for First Degree Skin Burns

ML20236F082
Person / Time
Site:	Framatome ANP Richland
Issue date:	12/03/1976
From:	Roy G, Thompson D, Whitt K NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE)
To:
References
PNO-76-208, NUDOCS 9807020015
Download: ML20236F082 (1)

Text

PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION 'h j Decembsr 3, 1976 '

PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE--P This preliminary notification constitutes-EARLY notice of an event of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significance. The information presented is as initially received without verification or evaluation

_and is basically all that is known by IE staff on this date.

Facility: Exxon Nuclear Company 2 Richland, Washington Docket No. 70-1257

Subject:

RELEASE ERROR OF URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE GAS AS A RESULT OF OP

Se licenses reported that a UF6 cylinder pigtail line had been discon-nected by an operator without first closing the valve on the gas cyl-inder at approximately 12:30 p.m. 12/2/76. The gas flow was stopped l by an individual using respiratory protection, who closed the cylinder valve. Nine (9) persons were av==ined at a local hospital for first degree skin burns.

work today.(12/3/76).All nine (9) were released and have returned to by noon today (12/3/76).The licensee expects the plant to be operational-formed. It appears that thereBionssays on exposed personnel are being par-l was no release to unrestricted areas of l radioactive concentrations in excess of Part 20 limits. A final deter-mination will be made following completion of a materials inventory.

The licensee does not consider the event to be reporcable at this time. _a i

Region V.has~ notified the State of Washington and Governor-Elect l

Dr. Dixie Lee Ray. Licensee reported that a press release was being l prepared. Region V plans to review this occurrence during the next regularly scheduled inspection.- j l ,.

l Media activity is expected due to public interest in the nuclear in-1 dustry. ,

~

NRG Region V-(Walnut Creek, California) received initial notification by telephone at 5:15 p.m. PCT 12/2/76 from ERDA Operations Office, Richland, Washington. This information is current to 8:30 a.m. 12/3/76.

Contact:

KWhitt, IE x27261 GWRoy, IE x27261 DThom'pson, IE x27541 Distribution:

Chairman Rowden -

Commir.sioner Gilinsky Commissioner Mason C. C. Kammerer, CA S. J. Chilk, SECY C/ [/

G. F. Nurphy, JCAE /

Commissioner Kennedy prp M L. V. Gossick, EDO K. R. Chapman, NMSS R. G. Ryan, OSP S. H. Hanauer, EDO E. Volgenau, OIE J. A. Harris, PA B. C. Rusche, NRR H. K. Shapar, ELD T. J. McTiernan, OIA Transmitted: PBldg I

E St.  ; NNBB  ; Luge i PR RIMINARY NOTIFICATION

, 11 0 9007020015 761203 PDR ISE * -

PNO-76-208 PDR  ;

l

- -- --- _ 1