ML20237D185
| ML20237D185 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 08/24/1998 |
| From: | Compton E NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Camper L, Combs F, Piccone J NRC |
| References | |
| SSD, NUDOCS 9808250123 | |
| Download: ML20237D185 (2) | |
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August 24, 1998 NOTE TO: Generic Assessment Panel Fred C. Combs Larry W. Camper Josephine M. Piccone Kevin M. Ramsey FROM: Eric Compton, Engineering Aide /s/
Materials Safety Branch Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety ;
Office of Nuclear Material Safety '
and Safeguards
SUBJECT:
RUPTURED IR-192 RADIOGRAPHY SOURCE DUE TO SHORT CIRCUlT WITH WELDING EQUIPMENT i
The following information is provided to the Generic Assessment Panel in response to your request for determining the need for an Information Notice issued concerning the rupture of a Ir-192 radiography source due to electrical short circuit with welding equipment. I am recommending that a Sealed Source and Device (SSD) newsletter article be submitted for the next issue concerning this issue instead of an Information Notice.
GAP had tasked the Materials Safety Branch to issue an Information Notice concerning this issue. Due to the design and construction of radiography cameras of various conductive metals, conduction through the camera itself is quite possible. However, this appears to be a rare event, with the possibility of only two other similar incidents occurring within the past twenty years. Information on these incidents is limited to and based only on here say. Therefore, it seems that a SSD newsletter article would be more appropriate. It does not appear that further action is necessary. These incidents should not affect the licensing of radiographer nor design reviews of radiography cameras.
l Attachments: SSD newsletter article l
cc: w\ attachment: R.D. Dicharry, SPEC JJankovich, MSB p
Distribution: Closes Ticket #7099 IMNS r/f CEstep NE02-SSD-6]L DOCUMENT NAME: H:\ERIC\ GAP \lR-192. GAP
' Ta receive e copy of this document, indicate in the box: 'C' = Copy without attachment / enclosure 'E' = Copy with attachtnent/ enclosure 'N' = No copy OFFICE MSB [,g- MSB C l l l l NAME ECompton Q SBaggeft' DATE 08/// /98 08/ & /98 OFFICl%L RECORD COPY 9808250123 980824 PDR RC *
- . .,,,SSD PDR 2
. I Attachment 1 DAMAGED IRIDIUM-192 RADIOGRAPHY SOURCE DUE TO ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUlT The Texas Department of Health, Bureau of Radiological Control notified the NRC that on June 19,1998, a radiography was attempted while an energized welding lead was still attached to the vessel. As the exposure device was lowered into the vessel by crane, the guide tube came in contact w:th the vessel wall. Contact between the guide tube and the vessel provided a current pathway, arid as a result, the 3r-192 sealed source and a portion of the guide tube melted. The radiogrsphers noted that the guide tube and drive cable were severed, with the j end of the guide tube fused due to beat damage. The radiographer placed the camera in a l l plastic bag and returned it to the licensee's facility. However, five workers were found i j contaminated as a result of this incident. l In addition to this incident, an Agreement State licensee has indicated to the NRC that he is aware of two other similar incidences that have occurred within the past twenty years, in which a radiography source had rupture as a result of an electrical short involving the intermingling of the radiographer's control assembly with the welders cables.
Due to the design and construction of radiography cameras of various conductive metals, conduction through the camera itself is quite possible. However, considering the frequency of i these incidents, it appears that this is a unique and relatively uncommon event. The U.S. I Nuclear Regulatory Commission suggests radiography licensees review their protocol and take
. action appropriately to avoid the unforeseen possibility of an electrical short circuit with welding equipment.
I
Contact:
Eric Compton, NMSS l (301) 415-5799 email: ebc@nrc. gov i
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