ML20249A939

PNS-77-003:on 770223,TIME-DC Freight Lines Delivered Approx 7 Kgs of U Metal Enriched to 93% in Isotope U-235.Delivery Resulted from Inadvertent Enroute Consolidation of 2 Separate sub-trigger Quantities Shipped by Union Carbide

ML20249A939
Person / Time
Site:	07000734
Issue date:	02/24/1977
From:	Haller N, Mccormick R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE)
To:
References
PNS-77-003, PNS-77-3, NUDOCS 9806190163
Download: ML20249A939 (1)

Text

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( PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION

)

((7 EXEMPT FROM PUBLIC DISCLOSURE PURSUAUT TO 10 CFR 2.790(d) _

February 24, 1977 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF SAFEGUARDS EVENT-- PNS-7 7-03

_This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE national security 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 as of this date.

Sulej ect: RECEIPT OF IMPROPERLY PROTECTED SNM At 3:50 p.m., February 23, 1977, General Atomic Company (Docket No.70-734) notified Region V by telephone of the following:

At 3:45 p.m. on February 23, 1977, TIME-DC freight lines delivered approxi-mately 7 kilograms of uranium metal enriched to 93% in the isotope U-235.

This delivery by common carrier without the security measures required of such a quantify by 10 CFR 73.30 apparently resulted from the inadvertent enroute consolidation of two separate "sub-trigger" quantities shipped by Union Carbide's Y-12 Plant in Oak Ridge via TIME-DC freight lines to General Atomic. The two shipments are as follows:

-  ! . 3,496 grams U metal containing 3,257 grams U-235 shipped

\ February 10, 1977

. 3,497 grams U metal containing 3,257 grams U-235 shipped February 14, 1977 General Atomic Company is investigating the location and circumstances which prompted the consolidation of shipments. Additionally, the outer /

container seal was missing on the February 14, 1977 shipment. Physical examination of the inner containers and their contents revealed no dis-crepancies. Net weights on the inner containers agreed with shippers 4) data. An enrichment check by nondestructive assay is underway. A:-

The Information Assessment Team and IE Director for Field Operations e

'd have been notified. Region V plans to discuss with ERDA methods of precluding future recurrence. No press coverage has occurred. No press release is planned.

Contact:

RMcCormick, IE x27353 NHaller, IE x27351 Distribution:

Chairman Rowden Commissioner Kennedy S. J. Chilk, SECY Commissioner Gilinsky C. C. Kammerer, CA G. F. Murphy, JCAE 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 i Transmitted: PBldg gin _ Land

M }

EXEMPT FROM PUBLIC DISCLOSURE PURSUANT TO 10 CFR 2.790(d) 's l Av 4ft:7);n .c '~

r 9906190163 770224 ISE PDR 1 PNS-77-OO3 PDR

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